Two years removed from a State Championship in Class 1A-Division II, the Axtell Eagle boys are returning to the State tournament after cruising past Linn in the Sub-State Championship game at Blue Valley-Randolph on Saturday winning 55-28.

Axtell Eagles flew out to a 15-9 lead after just the first quarter against Linn and didn't look back. The Eagles soared for the rest of the game padding their lead over the next two quarters, outscoring Linn 10-5 and 19-4 in the second and third period. Using a strong start and going 11-19 from the free throw line compared to just 1-5 for Linn, helped push the Eagles to the 55-28 win.

Linn was led by Chad Gross who scored 14 points in the loss and finished the season 5-15 with the loss.

For the Eagles they moved to 12-11 on the year and head into the State tournament riding a three-game winning streak. Colton Buessing led Axtell in the win over Linn posting 15 points, hitting three three-pointers, while Tyler Jones chipped in 12 points.

Action continues for Axtell next Thursday in Dodge City at the United Wireless Arena in the 1A-DII State tournament.