Adams Central's Jesse Ackerman cuts off a piece of the net
after the Patriots won the Class C-1, District 3
championship Monday in Grand Island.
GRAND ISLAND — With its season on the line, the Adams Central boys basketball team couldn't have gotten off to a much worse start.
Before the first quarter of the Class C-1, District 3 final was over, the Patriots found themselves down 19-2 to Milford Monday night at Grand Island Northwest.
But, behind the play of its seniors, Adams Central rallied — tying the game by halftime and taking the lead for good midway through the third quarter en route to a 71-66 win.
With the victory, the Patriots (21-5) advance to the next week's Class C-1 state tournament that begins March 7 at the Pershing Center in Lincoln.
Senior Jake Fowler led Adams Central with 17 points, hitting 11-of-14 free throws in the fourth quarter. The Patriots' five seniors starters combined for 60 points, as each scored at least nine points. Blake Overmiller added 13, while Matt Brown also finished in double figures with 12. Tyler Kirkegaard and Jesse Ackerman each had nine, and all but three of the Patriots' 71 points came from seniors.
Milford (14-8), which finished 11-of-21 from the 3-point line, was led by Zac Morley with 18 points.
To read more, see Tuesday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
