2A Boys State Semifinal in Manhattan on Friday, March 11th 

One night after rallying from down by eight and scoring 17 points in the final 80 seconds to beat Pitt Colgan, The Valley Falls boys were outscored 42-29 over the second and third quarters and couldn't mount another comeback while suffering their first loss of the year to St. Mary's 80-69. The Dragons led 13-11 after one quarter but the Bears hit back to back triples to start the second period and never gave up the lead with four players that all posted 14 points or more. 

St. Mary's hit 6 of their 8 three's in the first half and shot 47 percent from the field while also knocking down 18 of 23 free throws to protect the lead and improve to 21-4 on the season advancing to the 2A State title game against defending champ Hillsboro. Keller Hurla had 21 points while 6'7 senior Fred Criqui added 20 and Jaxon Hurla added 16 with Noah Jacobson chipping in 14 points for the Bears. 

Valley Falls made only 5 of 24 behind the arc and had twice as many turnovers but from down 10 points and 38-28, did go on a 12-4 run to pull within 42-40 late in the third frame, only to see the Bears close the quarter with a 13-2 run themselves and take an 11-point lead into the fourth at 53-42 before both teams put up 27 points in the final eight minutes at Bramlage Collisieum. 

Brennen Miller and Zac Evans each scored 18 points while Avery Gatzemeyer added 13, Trenton Kraxner 11 and Dylan Cervantez 9. Valley Falls is now 24-1 and will close their season in the third place game at 2 PM on Saturday against Lyndon who lost in double-overtime to Hillsboro in the other semifinal game on Friday.