Going into the night both the Axtell girls and boys had opportunities to earn spots to the Class 1A-DII State tournament but had St. John's/Tipton standing in their way in their respective Sub-State championship games at Blue Valley-Randolph. 

At the end of the night the lady Eagles book a ticket to Dodge City for the State tournament with a 60-46 win, while Axtell boys put up a strong fight but fell 54-41 ending their season. 

For the Axtell boys they fell down 13-8 after the first quarter to St. John's/Tipton and trailed 27-21 at halftime but were hanging tough and stayed within striking single digits going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth St. John's/Tipton put the game away posting an 18-8 frame to push them to the 54-41 win ending Axtell's season. 

The Axtell boys wrap up the season 12-12 and were led by Buessing who posted 14 points, while Brice Koch scored 13 points. 

The lady Eagles had to battle from behind but that they did using a 21-5 fourth quarter to end the game and gain the 60-46 win over the defending 1A-DII State Champs St. John's/Tipton. The game was tied at 10-10 after the first quarter but a 21-15 second quarter allowed St. John's/Tipton led carry a 31-25 lead into halftime. The Eagles chipped at that lead in the third quarter but still trailed going into the fourth but only by two-points and that's when Axtell flew past St. John's/Tipton with the 21-5 fourth to gain the win. 

Kiersten Talbot and Courtney Heinen led Axtell with 18 points each, while Bradie Schmitz scored 10 points and the team was 20-23 from the free throw line in the contest. The win pushes Axtell to 20-3 on the season and the Eagles have won nine in a row headed to the State tournament for the third time in school history and first time since 1988. 

Axtell girls head to Dodge City for the 1A-DII State tournament next week and will look to finish the season strong as they will open up State play on Thursday, March 10th.