Propelled by a 15-0 scoring run to start the second half Saturday, the Blair boys basketball team earned its first Class B state tournament trip since 2006.
The No. 16-seeded Bears (11-11 overall) beat No. 1 Alliance on the Bulldogs' home floor, 51-43. They trailed the Class B-1 District Final 22-19 at halftime, but dominated the second half, outscoring Alliance (19-5) 32-21.
Cade Ulven led BHS with 14 points, including 3 on a long-range make to open the second half. Luke Ladwig scored 10, Morgan Rump added eight, and Kip Tupa, Sawyer Lawton and Wyatt Ogle had five. Jacob Czapla notched 4 points as well.
The state trip is just Blair's seventh overall and arguably the most improbable. The Bears won four games in eight days to reach the state tourney after losing their previous six.
The Class B state tournament begins March 9 and 10th at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Blair's first-round tourney matchup will be announced once all Class B district finals games are played.
For the full story on Saturday's game, check out Tuesay's edition of the Washington County Pilot-Tribune or visit enterprisepub.com/sports that same day.
