It was another Twin Valley League battle at State and it was a showcase on why the TVL is arguably the best small school League in the State of Kansas. Hanover and Centralia boys did battle for the third time this season and the contest fittingly need Overtime to decide the winner as Hanover snagged the 74-73 win. 

Centralia pounced on the lead to open the contest going up 15-9 in the first quarter leading to a Hanover timeout with 3:04 left in the opening quarter. The Panthers worked the lead to nine by the end of the first quarter 21-12. An 11-2 run by Hanover to open the second quarter to tie the game at 23-23 with 4:54 left in the first half and Hanover took their first lead at 26-25 with 4:20 to go in the second quarter. By halftime Centralia regained the lead with a 33-31 margin in their favor at intermission as the Panthers were led by Daegan Steinlage who had 12 first half points. Hanover tied the game up in the third quarter at 41-41 and then Thomas Atkins got a steal and fast break dunk to give Hanover a 43-41 lead, but once again Centralia answered and led 51-49 entering the fourth quarter. 

Centralia worked the lead to 61-53 in the fourth quarter but it was brought closer by Hanover and up by two points with 11.9 seconds to go Kamble Haverkamp made one of two free throws to give Centralia a three-point lead. Hanover pushed the ball down the court and drained their only three of the second half to tie the game as Daiken Stallbaumer tied it at 68-68 with 3.2 seconds left. Panthers went for the long pass to try for a final shot but the ball was thrown too long and out of bounds giving Hanover the possession in the half-court set and an Atkins bucket at the buzzer was no good pushing the game to Overtime. In OT Hanover worked to the lead and had some free throws late to ice the game but miss fired leaving an opportunity for Centralia but the Panthers opportunity came up short at the buzzer giving Hanover the 74-73 win. 

The loss sends Centralia to 16-10 on the season and moves then into the 1A-DI State third place game on Saturday, March 10th at 2:00pm against St. John-Hudson (game will be broadcasted on 92.1 KMZA). Kamble Haverkamp led Centralia with 18 points and had seven rebounds, while Daegan Steinlage netted 16 points and had eight rebounds. Dylan Boeckman added 12 points. 

Hanover with the win moves to 22-1 on the season and was led by Carter Bruna who had 20 points going 9-14 from the free throw line. Thomas Atkins had 18 points and six rebounds, while Daiken Stallbaumer scored 10 points. The win moves Hanover into the State Championship contest for the second straight year as they look to defend their 1A-DI State title from last year against South Gray who they beat last year in the State title game.