RAPID CITY - Top-seeded Red Cloud had their state title hopes come to an end as Platte-Geddes upset the Crusaders 72-60 in the Class A semifinals at the Sioux Falls Arena.
With the game tied at 30-apiece at halftime, Platte-Geddes outscored Red Cloud 42-30 in the second half to advance to the championship game Saturday night.
The fourth-seeded Black Panthers hit 66 percent of its shots and made 17-of-21 free throw attempts compared to the Crusaders who shot 35 percent and connected on 4-of-7 attempts from the charity stripe.
Keith Cutler paced the Black Panthers with 26 points. Christian McGhee netted 20 points for the Red Cloud, who lost for only the second time this season.
The Mitchell Kernals advanced to the State AA championship game after defeating top-seeded Sioux Falls Lincoln, 54-49, in a hard-fought semifinals game.
Steven Peschong tallied 20 points to lead the fourth-seeded Kernals who finished sixth in last year's tournament.
The Patriots, who will play in the third place game for the second straight year, was led by Anthony Muilenburg's 20 points.
No. 1-seeded Langford had four players score in double figures as the Lions defeated Irene-Wakonda, 70-55, to move onto the Class B championship game.
Finishing as the consolation champions in last year's tournament, the Lions outscored the Eagles 35-19 in the second and third quarters to break the game open.
Jeff Tobin scored 15 points to lead Langford.
