2017 Axtell Boys Sub-State Champions (photo courtesy Maddy Kuckelman)

Opportunity that is what area teams had in Class 1A-Division II Sub-State at Axtell and area teams took advantage of the opportunity as both Wetmore and Axtell boys squared off in the Championship game playing for the right to make the State tournament. The Axtell Eagles seized that opportunity winning the Sub-State title game on their home floor beating Wetmore 43-33.

Points were at a premium especially early as Axtell led just 9-2 after the first quarter and went into halftime up by seven points after each team netting nine points in the second quarter. The two teams played basically even the rest of the game but Axtell used a big free throw advantage to their favor as the Eagles tallied a 21-34 night from the charity stripe, while Wetmore was just 4-13 from the line.

Wetmore with the loss wrapped up the season 3-19 and was led by Ethan Osterhaus who scored 16 points.

Axtell with the win improved to 6-17 on the season and punched their ticket to the State tournament for the eighth time in school history and third time in the last five years. Quinn Buessing paced the Eagles with 18 points and hit 8-8 free throws in the Sub-State Championship.

Eagles will continue their season at the 1A-DII State tournament in Dodge City, Kansas at the United Wireless Arena and will play their first round game on Thursday, March 9th at 6:30pm playing the #1 seed Caldwell (21-2) as the Eagles drew the #8 seed. (Class 1A-DII State Tournament Boys Bracket)