Linn County High School’s Kade Ward hit a three-point shot at the regulation buzzer, stunning the host Green City Gophers in a 52-49 final score, pushing the Mustangs into the Class 1, District 11 boys championship game, Friday night at 6 o’clock.
Ward’s three-pointer answered a game-tying 3 ball by Green City’s Camden Williams, hit with just over 7 seconds remaining in regulation. Green City, the #3 seed in the tournament, finished the season with a superlative individual effort by Devin Fields, who led the Gophers with 32 points. Linn County’s offensive attack featured more balance, as Jase White had 19, Dusten Coke 17, and Chadley Waltz 10 points.
Linn County, in an all-Tri County Conference final, will face the Novinger Wildcats, a 46-39 semifinal winner over the Bevier Wildcats. Novinger is the #1 seed for the Class 1, District 11 tournament at Green City High School.
The girls semifinals from District 11 will be played tonight (Wednesday night), as the Green City Lady Gophers, holders of the #1 seed, host Atlanta at 6 o’clock. The Linn County Lady Mustangs will face the Grundy R-5 Lady Panthers in semifinal #2, with tip set for 7:15.
The Class 1, District 11 girls championship game will be played on Friday night at 7:30 from GCHS.
Quarterfinals in Class 1, District 12 were played in the boys tournament at Norborne High School on Tuesday night. The Meadville Eagles cruised to the semifinal round with a 70-24 win over Hale/Bosworth, while Brunswick edged Slater, 64-61. The Northwestern Eagles downed Tina-Avalon 69-36, with Keytesville taking a 50-37 victory over the host Norborne Pirates.
