Getting your player ready...
LINCOLN, Neb.—Zach Lempka scored 18 points and Sterling made 15 of 19 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off previously unbeaten Hay Springs 60-52 in the Class D2 semifinals at the boys state tournament Friday.
Sterling led 41-39 entering the final quarter and was able to pull away after squaring away its free-throw shooting. The Jets made only 5 of 13 foul shots the first three quarters.
Jacob Wirthele added 16 points and Jacob Saathoff 12 for Sterling (21-4), which is back in the finals for the first time since winning Class D1 in 1996. The Jets will play Ewing (25-1) on Saturday.
Isaac Hughes and Travis Kuhn scored 11 points apiece for the Hawks (23-1), and Lars Backward added 10.
