• Photo Showcase: District A-3 boys basketball, Feb. 25

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A pair of Millard West post players with a postseason run on their mind helped get the Wildcats one win from a state tournament berth Saturday night.

Connor Lusso and Spencer Sharp combined for 32 points and 17 rebounds as Millard West turned a close game into a blowout with a big third-quarter run, beating Lincoln High 61-40 in the District A-3 semifinals at Papillion-La Vista.

With the win, the Wildcats move into Monday night’s district final against Papillion-La Vista, a 53-46 winner over Columbus in Saturday’s first game. Papio beat Millard West 64-57 early this season.

“We played with a lot of energy tonight,” Millard West coach Bill Morrison said. “We’ve got to play with that same energy Monday.”

After Lincoln High scored the first four points of the second half, the Wildcats ran off the next eight and held the Links scoreless for more than five minutes.

The lead grew to 20 points entering the fourth quarter and as much as 27.

Lincoln High coach Dan Noble pointed to the Wildcats’ 48-33 rebounding advantage as the difference.

“We got beat up on the glass,” Noble said. “All the credit goes to Millard West. We knew they were going to be a physical team. We knew it would be a battle and they won that battle.”

Millard West’s zone defense seemed to keep Lincoln out of rhythm much of the night. Morrison said he told his team not to bite on pump fakes and be aggressive after rebounds.

“Our guards did a nice job of that,” he said. “We were willing to give up 3s and limit things inside.”

Lusso (17 points, eight rebounds) and Sharp (15 points, nine rebounds) combined for 10 offensive boards.

“Most teams can’t handle both of us down there,” Lusso said. “That’s our job, to get points in the paint.”

Lusso said the Wildcats, who lost five of eight to finish the regular season, have come together as a unit.

“We’ve finally started playing as a team,” he said.

John Harris led the Lynx with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Shaka Chol added 10 points for the Links.

Lincoln High (12-11).....................10 8 10 12—61
Millard West (11-12).....................14 13 21 13—40

LH: Demarius Lott 2, Deondre White 4, Keshawn Wilson 2, Payton Helmstadter 6, Khaleefa Muhammad 2, John Harris 14, Shaka Chol 10.

MW: Zachary Waldron 2, Skyler Monaghan 2, Shawn Martin 5, Fracesco Guido 7, Joshua Lallman 5, Matthew Wolf 4, Dylan Steyer 4, Connor Lusso 17, Spencer Sharp 15.

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Papillion-La Vista 53, Columbus 46

Five players scored seven or more points for Top 10 No. 3 Papillion-La Vista.

The Monarchs got 13 apiece from Spencer Lewis and Brett Dougherty. All of Dougherty’s points came in the second half, including nine in the fourth quarter.

“We played just OK,” Papillion-La Vista coach Jason Ryan said. “But we’re playing on Monday night.”

Nate Ek scored 15 to lead Columbus.

Columbus (4-20).............................10 7 12 17—46
At Papillion-La Vista (20-3)............12 14    9 18—53

C: Jake Ek 11, Nick Linder 2, Nate Ek 15, Alex Kurtenbach 5, Matt Otten 6, Brandon Sargent 7.

PLV: Anthony Figureoa 2, Spencer Lewis 13, Bryce Sheard 6, Trey Moore 7, Brett Dougherty 13, Josh Abels 9, Tyler Dougherty 3.

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402-850-0781, nickrubek@gmail.com
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