Jacob Horsch hit a jumper with 25 seconds and the boys basketball team defeated Olathe East 44-43 in the state quarterfinals Thursday at Koch Arena.
It is believed to be the first win in the state tournament for a Maize boys team in at least 25 years and possibly in the school’s history.
The Eagles (20-3) will play Blue Valley Northwest (21-2), the top-ranked boys team in the state and defending champion, at 4:45 today for a chance to play for the title. The Maize girls play at 3 p.m.
Horsch, who missed a three-pointer, grabbed the rebound and hit a jumper from the lane to give the Eagles the lead. East then ran down the clock, but a shot with about 2 seconds to go missed. Connor Lungwitz and East’s Ezra Talbert grabbed the rebound simultaneously for a held ball. The possession arrow favored the Eagles. After a timeout, Lungwitz inbounded the ball Aaron Shaw, who knocked it away to run out the clock.
The game was close throughout, with Olathe East leading much of the way. East led 20-19 at halftime.
After the game and congratulated their opponent, the Eagles marched back over to the vocal student section to thank the students for their support.
