LEXINGTON- The second of the three-game home stretch for the Lexington basketball teams was no easy task, as Adams Central came to town looking to stir up some trouble for coaches Randy Carpenter and Eric Young.
For the boys, they were playing after learning that the Lincoln-Journal Star had rated the Minutemen No. 8 in Class B, a ranking that was shocking to head coach Eric Young.
The No. 9  Minutemaids wouldn’t have anything of it, as the girls got a quick lead and held onto it, as Lexington knocked off the Lady Patriots 51-41.
The first quarter started off slow for the ladies, leading by only three after one quarter at 11-8. The teams traded shots throughout the first half as Lexington went into the locker room with a slim lead.
The third quarter has been Lexington’s best quarter this season, and it was kind to them last night. The Maids’ defense locked down on Adams Central, as Lexington was able to extend their lead to double-digits, outscoring the Patriots 17-9 in the third, to take a 41-28 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Adams Central tried to cut into the lead late in the game, getting as close as six points, but the Maids’ speed and accuracy shooting the ball got the best of the Patriots as Lexington pulled away late to hold on for the victory.
The victory for Lexington is huge with the season winding down and the Maids’ needing some wild card points to get a chance to make the state tournament if they were to not win their district.
Junior Hailey Mandelko was able to get the looks she wanted Thursday night, scoring a game-high 16 points. Senior Bridget Seberger and Megan Sculley each chipped in for eight points each.
For Adams Central, they were led by Janessa Bohlen, scoring 14 points. Carrie Coats contributed with 13 points.
“This was a good win,” head coach Randy Carpenter said. “Adams Central is very sound fundamentally and they never gave up. We had to fight hard the whole game. All of the girls did their part in this victory.”
The Maids win their fourth game in the last six, improving to 10-3 on the season. Adams Central, who has been in and out of the Class B rankings all season long, drops to 10-5 overall.

The boys’ match-up was a little more than what the crowd was expecting Thursday night, as the Minutemen were looking to get that first big win of the season and their first win over a ranked opponent in a number of years.
The eighth-ranked Patriots started off strong, almost gave the lead up, then pulled away again late to roll the Minutemen 71-53.
People’s perception of the Patriots was true, as their highly explosive offense and extremely intense defense, gave Adams Central an early 22-10 lead after the first quarter.
The Minutemen didn’t lay down after the deficit, cutting the lead to seven by halftime, trailing 32-25.
Lexington continued to chip away at the lead early in the third quarter, as a Tyler McKeone basket got Lexington within four and started to put the Patriots on the ropes.
However, the offense ignited something fierce, as the charge was led by Brady Barrett, as the Patriots sunk 7-11 three pointers in the second half, including four in a row when the Minutemen were back in the game to put Adams Central back ahead in double figures.
The fourth quarter, the physical Minutmen started to wear down as Adams Central put the finishing touches on a game that seemed to look closer than what the scoreboard read.
Tyler McKeone was a presence felt underneath the basket, as the junior scored a team-high 14 points. Senior Andrew Rios, who earlier in the day, released his commitment to play football for Chadron State in the fall, scored 10 points. and grabbed seven rebounds. The towering pair of R.J. Seberger and Hawken Albus had a tough time shooting the ball, as each scored eight points. Senior Aaron Luther scored seven points, but nabbed a game-high four steals.
The Patriots hot shooting was led by Barrett, who scored a game-high 32 points, going 7-14 (50 percent) from three-point land. Zach Hunt also had a good game for Adams Central, scoring 17 points.
The Minutemen outrebounded the Patriots 29-26, including Lexington’s 12 offensive rebounds, but the Minutemen struggle d to get second-chance points.
Lexington’s shooting woes continue, as the Minutemen shot a total of 35 percent (19 of 55), while going 0-4 from three-point range.
Adams Central put on a clinic, shooting 43 percent (22-51), but relied heavy on the three-point ball, going 11 of 31 (35 percent).
Lexington had to foul Adams Central late in the game to try and stay close, but the Patriots were solid from the line all night, going 16-21 (76 percent) from the charity stripe, while Lexington had a little more difficult time from the free throw line, going 15-22 (68 percent).
Lexington drops to 7-6 with the loss, while Adams Central moves to 13-1 on the season.
The boys and girls hosted district rival McCook Friday night. Stats, photos and story will be in the Wednesday issue of the Clipper-Herald.
Jon Soflin contributed to this report.

• Lexington Basketball
• Lexington Boys Basketball
• Lexington Girls Basketball
• Lexington Minutemen

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