When it's a Twin Valley League teams squaring off with each other on the basketball court you know you’re in for a battle and the boys sub-state semifinals in 1A-Division I at Valley Heights didn't disappoint with Centralia and Valley Heights earning wins to move to the sub-state title game on Saturday. For Centralia the third time was the charm as they topped Hanover 54-51, while Valley Heights beat Linn 61-47.

First up the Centralia Panthers and Hanover Wildcats squared off for the third time this season with Hanover winning the previous two, but this time the outcome was different as Centralia took home the 54-51 win. The Panthers fell behind early to Hanover but pushed ahead late in the first quarter to lead 14-10 after the first quarter. Centralia added to their lead going into halftime leading 24-17 and lead by 10 after three quarters of play, but Hanover wasn't going away quietly.

The two would combine for 49 points in the fourth quarter with Hanover outscoring Centralia by seven but the Panthers held on for the win with enough free throws down the stretch and clutch plays. Although both teams struggled from the free throw line on the night.

Hanover in the loss was led by Will Bruna who scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, while Hunter Nicholson chipped in nine points, as the Wildcats closed out their season with a 19-4 record. Hanover finished the night going 3-25 from three-point land.

Centralia with the win punched their ticket to the sub-state championship on Saturday and moved to 17-6 on the season behind 18 points from Sam Steinlage and 15 points from Brett Burdiek. Burdiek's free throws down the stretch helped secure the Panther win and earned him the Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA.

In the night cap the Linn Bulldogs punched Valley Heights early in the game and got off to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter and lead 15-11 at the end of the frame. The lead was cut to two at the half by Valley Heights as they trailed 28-26.

Mustangs came out of the half galloping right into an offense groove posting a 19-9 third quarter to take over the lead, as they maneuvered the game into their favor leading 45-37 after three quarters and earning the win 61-47 as Valley Heights distanced themselves in the latter part of the fourth quarter.

Linn with the loss closes out the season with a 12-9 record and was led by Nathan Schaefer who scored 15 points, while Josh Meyer chipped 13 points.

Valley Heights was led by Derek Trimble who scored 22 points earning him Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA. Charles Musil chipped in 17 points, while Bennett Bargdill added 12 points on four three-pointers. The Mustangs with the win improved to 20-2 on the season and moved to the sub-state championship game.

That sets up Centralia and Valley Heights to vie for a right to play at the 1A-Division State competition in Emporia next week; sub-state boys championship game will be at 7:30pm at Valley Heights high school on Saturday, March 8th.