Class A: Bellevue East will play Omaha Central

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Friday's Class A results:

Bellevue East 57, Lincoln High 45

Two hills were just too much for Lincoln High to climb.

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Lincoln High's Raymond Richardson dives trying to steal the ball from Bellevue West's James Futch on Friday. (William Lauer)

Lincoln High's Raymond Richardson dives trying to steal the ball from Bellevue West's James Futch on Friday. (William Lauer)

And when Jarrell Crayton is leading the way for Bellevue East, it was too steep.

Bellevue East advanced to the state championship game for the second time in school history with a 57-45 victory against Lincoln High in the Class A semifinals Friday at the Devaney Sports Center.

The Chieftains (18-9) raced to an 18-3 lead in the first quarter before Lincoln High went on a 9-0 run of its own and cut the margin to 24-21 at halftime.

“We got it back to three at the half and I thought we were in fairly decent shape, but then we came right back out in the second half and did the same thing,” said Lincoln High coach Russ Uhing. “They’re not a team that you want to get down by a bunch on.

“We needed to get a better start in the second half and instead, they got to the rim right away.”

Both of Bellevue East’s runs were keyed by Crayton, the 6-foot-6 junior. He had 11 points in the first quarter and eight in the third as he led the Chieftains with 21 points and 21 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

The Chieftains started the second half with a 9-0 run, holding Lincoln High scoreless for more than four minutes.

“Our guys executed and we got the ball to the big fella a couple of times,” said Bellevue East coach Jason Ryan. “I don’t know how we’re going to play tomorrow, we might need a week off before we play one of these teams (semifinalists Bellevue West and Omaha Central) tomorrow.”

Ryan said he cautioned his team after the quick start.

“We knew they were going to make a run. You don’t win 20 games and have an all-state type player like (Josh) Riser and not have it, so our kids were aware of that,” he said. “We kept telling them to believe we’re the better team. It’s about mental toughness right now. It’s all right between the ears right now.”

Lincoln High connected on just 14 of 44 shots from the field,  while Bellevue East was 21-of-44.

“We missed some shots, but they’re just a good defensive team,  so it was a lot their doing,” Uhing said. “They have a great player inside and they have great perimeter players.”

Bellevue High School was the Class A runner-up in 1964, before the school system expanded to  two schools.

“If we play Bellevue West, it would be a great deal for our community, but it would be fun to play Central, the two-time defending champion,” Ryan said. “We have nothing to lose. We’ll make a game of it. My guys will battle and I know we’ll scratch and claw and try to shorten the game with whoever we play.”

--Ryly Jane Hambleton

Omaha Central 80, Bellevue West 66

The Eagles advanced to the state title game on the strength of 29 points from Joshua Jones and 12 from Deverell Biggs. Donald Jones and Christopher Griffin each had 10 points.

The Thunderbirds were led by Antoine Young's 24 points. Jeff Allgood added 17.

Omaha Central will play Bellevevue East at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Devaney Center.

Stay with JournalStar.com for updates.