LINCOLN Neb. - In the semifinals, Millard North managed to secure a 54-52 victory over Gretna by putting up a solid defensive effort on the final possession.
As a result, they have earned the opportunity to compete against Bellevue West in the Class A final. With only a minute remaining in the game, Millard North gained the lead with a layup and successfully held off their opponents in the remaining seconds.
Photo Credit Peter Burtnett - The Times
The first half largely went back-and-forth, but the Mustangs were able to establish a 26-21 lead at the start of the second half.
Eventually down by double digits, Feeken wasn’t worried about his team’s competitiveness.
In a statement Feeken said “That’s the great thing about our team, I don’t really have to worry about us competing or us playing hard and that’s a credit to them. That’s not everywhere, but what we’ve established, what our kids believe in, that’s just kind of taken for granted. When they step on the court, you know you’re gonna get your best from them. And I can’t ever fault how they fought.”
The Dragons fought back, tying the game at 44 with 5:21 left on the clock.
Wilcoxson managed to tie the game at 52-52 with just 34.4 seconds remaining, after the team fell behind by four points earlier. Although they had a chance to win, they ultimately fell short by two points, which Feeken attributed to their opponents' strong performance.
Despite the disappointment of losing, Feeken praised his team for their efforts and acknowledged the positive impact they have had on the program, coaching staff, and community. For the community, this was the last game played as a "one-team town" before the addition of Gretna East next school year. Nonetheless, Feeken expressed his appreciation for the unwavering support the Dragons have received from their community throughout the years.
He believes that the community's support has been a crucial factor in the team's success and serves as a testament to their strength as a community.
This marks their third consecutive chance to win the Class A championship, and it is worth noting that they have faced Bellevue West in the final round for the past four seasons.
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