BY ADAM COULTER
Salina Post Contributor
The Sacred Heart Knights took on the top-seeded and undefeated Lyndon Tigers on Friday afternoon with a trip to the 2A boys state championship game on the line.
The Knights jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the early moments of the game, but the Tigers would answer and led 17-14 after the opening eight minutes. Tanner Heckel scored 13 first-quarter points for Lyndon, but would have to come out of the game for most of the second period as he was charged with three first-half fouls.
Sacred Heart took advantage of having one of Lyndon's best players on the bench. The Knights kept chipping away at what had become a double-digit deficit, but eventually took a one-point lead into halftime with the score 27-26.
After a closely contested third quarter, It was Lyndon with a one-point lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game. With the score 43-42 to start the fourth quarter, the Tigers pulled away and took their biggest lead with the score 61-48. The Knights never stopped battling as they finished the game the same way they started it with an 8-2 run. However, in the end, Sacred Heart ran out of time as Lyndon claimed the victory by a score of 63-56.
There were five lead changes and the score was also tied five times in the games.
Evan Bogart led the Knights with 19 points. Michael Matteucci scored 10 more for Sacred Heart. Daxton Massey led Lyndon with 19 points.
The Tigers remain undefeated at 24-0 and will play Moundridge in the 3A state championship game on Saturday.
Sacred Heart falls to 21-4 and will play its final game of the season against Sterling in the 2A boys third-place game.
The Black Bears come in at 22-3 after defeating Plainville 57-43 in the quarterfinals, but dropping their semifinal with Moundridge 56-45.
Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday afternoon from Dodge City. Coverage of the game will begin at 1:50 pm on KINA.