In the third-place boys game at the Class 1A Division II state basketball tournament, the Lebo Wolves edged the Cunningham Wildcats 65-64 Friday afternoon at Emporia’s White Auditorium.
Lebo led 19-17 after the first quarter, 39-34 at halftime and 52-50 after three quarters. Cunningham outscored Lebo 14-13 in the fourth quarter to cut Lebo’s final margin of victory to 1 point at 65-64.
Lebo’s largest lead was 15 points and the Wolves led for 30 minutes, 4 seconds. Cunningham led for 26 seconds and the game was tied for 1:28. The Wolves’ last field goal came at the 2:43 mark of the fourth quarter. Cunningham made a field goal with 1 second let in the contest.
Gerek Reber led the Lebo Wolves with 27 points (including three 3-pointers), grabbed 3 rebounds and handed out 4 assists. Brock Hadley scored 11 points (with two 3-pointers). Colby Fehr scored 10 points (including six free throws) and grabbed 8 rebounds. William Konrade contributed 8 points.
Dylan Halderson led the Wildcats with 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Larry Heatherman scored 12 points. Cole Hageman scored 9 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 3 shots. Stephen Kerschen and Kendall Rogers scored 8 points apiece.
Cunningham outrebounded Lebo 39-24 and attempted 59 field goals to 38 for Lebo. However, Lebo made 19 field goals for 50% shooting and the Wildcats made 23 for 39% shooting. Lebo also made 20-of-35 free throws and Cunningham made 14-of-22.
Lebo, which started the season 3-6, finished the season with a 21-8 record. Cunningham finished with a 17-10 mark.
