With the first half clock winding down and Jackson Heights down one, senior Zane Richter dribbled between his legs, stepped back, and put up a shot at the buzzer just in front of the K-State Powercat logo inside Bramlage Coliseum.

The 3-point attempt fell, and the Cobras took a two-point advantage into halftime which was a lead Jackson Heights never relinquished in a 68-48 win over Hill City to advance to the Class 2A championship game.

The two teams traded blows to open the ballgame, but with 2:26 remaining in the first quarter the Ringnecks capped off a 5-0 run with an Everett Brandyberry 3-pointer to put them up 18-13 heading into the second frame.

Despite not making a 3-pointer in the Cobras quarterfinal win, Richter found his stroke in the second quarter drilling two treys, one at the first half buzzer, while compiling 10 total points in the quarter giving Jackson Heights a 28-26 lead at intermission.

Out of the break the Ringnecks held Richter in check for the most part allowing him just six third quarter points, but Cobra junior Mason Thomas knocked down two huge 3-pointers to allow Jackson Heights to extend their lead to six heading into the fourth.

Jackson Heights closed out the game by going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, while Richter tallied 11 of his game-high 29 points in the final quarter.

Jackson Heights (23-2) advances to their third state championship game in program history and will face off against #3 Salina-Sacred Heart Saturday night at 6:15 inside Bramlage Coliseum, which can be heard on KAIR 93.7 FM.

#5 Jackson Heights: Zane Richter – 29, Westin Jacobsen – 16, Wyatt Olberding – 11, Mason Thomas – 8, Brady Holliday – 2, Braden Dohl – 2.

#8 Hill City:  Claiborne Kyles – 12, Tate Buchholz – 11, Zechariah Wilson – 10, Mekhei Bates – 9, Everett Brandyberry – 6.