A year ago, the Jackson Heights boys suffered heartbreak in the first round of the Class 2A State Tournament losing to Central Plains, 67-42.

Thursday night the Cobras made sure they experienced a different fate, knocking off Berean Academy 53-44 to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A State Tournament in Manhattan at Bramlage Coliseum.

The Warriors jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, but Jackson responded with a 13-0 run, keyed by two Wyatt Olberding 3-pointers, to take a 13-3 lead after the first quarter.

Berean Academy finally got their feet under themselves to start the second quarter, as they went on a 7-0 run to begin the frame to pull within three.

The two sides went back-and-forth the rest of the half, with Jackson Heights taking a 21-19 lead at halftime.

Out of the break the Cobras came out slow, as the Warriors took back the lead briefly.

But for Jackson Heights, junior Mason Thomas provided the spark the Cobras needed, scoring six points in the third quarter to help the Cobras take a 33-29 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth, the Cobras hit 16 of 19 free throws with Olberding and Zane Richter combining to make 12 of 13 to ice the game away.

Jackson Heights (22-2) advances to the semifinals Friday afternoon, where they will take on #8 seed Hill City at 4:45 on KNZA 103.9 FM.

Richter and Olberding each registered double-doubles in the contest, as Olberding finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, while Richter had 13 and 10.

Jackson Heights: Wyatt Olberding – 18, Zane Richter – 13, Westin Jacobsen – 12, Mason Thomas – 8, Kaleb Keehn – 2.