For the second consecutive year, the Lebo boys and girls basketball teams fell short of winning state championships on Saturday in the Class 1A-Division II State Tournament at Barton Community College in Great Bend.
The Lebo boys’ run to the state championship game fell short, 60-55, to Cunningham, while the Lebo girls fell to Hanover, 50-35.
In the boys game, Lebo led by nine early in the first quarter, but trailed 12-10 after the first quarter and 28-21 at halftime. Lebo cut the deficit to 41-39 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wolves took a brief lead at 45-43 before Cunningham used a 7-0 run to go up 50-45. Lebo cut the deficit back to three in the final seconds, but Cunningham hit two free throws to seal the victory.
Zach Oswald led Lebo with 22 points and eight rebounds. Drew Konrade added 16 points and Grayson Shoemaker tallied 12.
The Lebo boys finish their season with an 18-8 record.
In the girls game, Hanover jumped out to a 20-5 lead after the first quarter. Lebo used a 13-7 second quarter to cut the deficit to 27-18 at halftime. The Lady Wolves used a 14-3 run over a span of 6 minutes and 15 seconds of the third quarter to take a 32-30 lead, but Hanover managed to tie the game at 32 heading into the fourth quarter. Hanover started the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run with Lebo only able to pull within three with 3:57 remaining.
Saige Hadley led Lebo with 17 points while Audrey Peek added 15. Lebo finishes its season with a 23-3 record.
