STAFFORD 49, PAWNEE HEIGHTS 42 – It’s party time at Stafford High School. Stafford converted seven 3-pointers and sank seven free throws in the fourth quarter for a 49-42 victory over Pawnee Heights in the 1A Division 2 Ransom basketball substate.

Stafford (17-5) advances to the state boys basketball tournament for the first time since 1947. 

Jimi Oleson sank four 3-pointers and scored 16 points and Colson Minks scored 11 points with a trio of 3-pointers. Oleson sank four free throws, Brody Kerschenske two and Josh Hildebrand three points in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans’ height and size gave Alec Carlson trouble despite a 27-point night with 11 field goals. Carlson struggled with 2 of 8 free throw shooting. Davin Hamby added 11 points.

Pawnee Heights 6 12 14 10 – 42

Stafford 11 12 15 11 – 49

PAWNEE HEIGHTS (15-7)—Carlson 11 2-8 27, Hamby 3 2-2 11, Dakota Ryan 2 0-0 4, Totals 16 4-10 42

STAFFORD (17-5)—Oleson 4-9 4-5 16, Hildebrand 5-6 2-4 12, Minks 4-10 0-0 11, Rodriguez 1-5 2-4 4, Kerschenske 1-4 2-2 4, Harter 1-2 0-0 2, Gantz 0-10-0 0, Totals 16-37 10-15 49

3-pointersx—PH 6 (Carlson 3, Hamby 3); S 7-16 (Oleson 4-5, Minks 3-8, Rodriguez 0-1, Gantz 0-1, Harter 0-1). Rebounds—S 32 (Keschenke 8). Assists—S 8 (Rodriguez 2, Kerschenske 2, Gantz 2). Steals—S 3 (Oleson 2)

1A DIV. 2 STATE GREAT BEND 

THURSDAY

2 p.m.—Tribune Greeley County 21-1 vs. Southern Cloud 11-11

4 p.m.—Stafford 17-5 vs. South Central 16-7

6 p.m.—Atell 19-4 vs. Bucklin 14-9

8 p.m.—Beloit St. John's 19-5 vs. Lebo 15-7.