Today's boys basketball playoff game
ESKO (27-4) VS. LITCHFIELD (25-5)
What:Class AA state tournament semifinal
When:8 p.m.
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Where:Target Center, Minneapolis
Outlook:Eskoheld off favored Hayfield 60-54 in the quarterfinals Wednesday for the school's first tournament win since 2003. Now the Eskomos seek the program's first championship berth. Junior forward Kory Deadrick (22.2 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per game) scored 25 of his 30 points in the first half and made 5 of 9 from 3-point range. Junior guard Casey Staniger (18.8 ppg) had 15 points and Marc Peterson (12.5 ppg) added 11. That trio has made 216 3-point goals this season. Ben Hanson, Bobby Wright and Nate Johnson provide solid defense and rebounding and freshman Jaxson Turner has a quick first step to the hoop for a team that doesn't have a deep bench. ... Litchfield eeded two overtimes to beat Redwood Valley 64-55 in the quarterfinals. Zach Kinny (10.1 ppg) had 18 points and made 7 of 11 field goals. Zach Whitechurch (14.3 ppg), Riley Pater (12.5 ppg) and Dylan Kroll (10.2 ppg) also average in double figures for the Dragons who won three state championships between 2000-03 and lost in last year's finals to Plainview-Elgin-Millville. The last time the school didn't qualify for the finals in a state tournament it played in was 1918.
TV:WDIO-DT2 (Me-TV)
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5
Internet:Prep45.com
Tickets:Adults, $14; students, $9
