One game. That is all that separates the Wapello boys’ basketball team from achieving something they haven’t since 1994 in making the state tournament. The Indians got one step closer to that feat after beating Central Lee 80-71 in the class 2A district 10 championship game last night.

As heard on KCII, the Indians wasted no time early with Gage Witte nailing a three in the first possession of the game that jump started the Indians to a 13-2 run. They kept the pressure on and led 22-9 at the end of the first. Central Lee got it back within single digits late in the second when Trent Massner sunk a three at the buzzer to propel Wapello to a 39-29 lead at half. The Hawks made their push in the third narrowing the deficit to four late in the quarter. Evan Doyle and Isaac Moeller kept the Hawks within striking distance all night combining for 47 of their 71 points. Down the stretch, Witte and Massner were too much for the Hawks and Wapello hung on for the nine-point victory. Massner led all scorers with 28 points. Witte finished with 22 and was six of nine from behind the arc.

Central Lee concludes their season at 18-6 and Wapello moves to 22-1. They advance to the sub-state final game on Saturday in Muscatine to face Northeast Goose Lake.