Doniphan West Mustangs used strong defense and solid shooting to put themselves in the 1A-DI State Championship game on Saturday by picking up the 46-31 win over Stockton.

A pair of early three's by Jeffrey Watts gave Doniphan West the lead and they would never give it up as the Mustangs led 8-5 after the first quarter and pushed that lead to 10 points multiple times in the second frame but only led 20-16 at halftime. In the first half Doniphan West held Stockton to just 18.5% shooting from the floor but only led by four points. In the second half things continued to go Doniphan West's way as they outscored the Tigers 13-4 in the third quarter to lead 33-20 after three and go on to win 46-31.

Doniphan West shot a solid 41.2% from the floor and hit five three's in the game, while holding Stockton to 23.4% from the floor and 2-22 from three-point range, including 0-12 from three in the second half. Jaden Williams led Stockton with 15 points in the game and grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Mustangs were led again by Cooper Leach who posted 21 points, grabbed nine boards and had three blocks to earn Citizen's State Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KNZA. Jeffrey Watts added 10 points, including a 3-5 night from three-point range and grabbed seven rebounds, while Austin Taylor chipped in nine points.

The win makes Doniphan West 19-7 on the season and they will play for their first State title in school history as Doniphan West, when they take on fellow Twin Valley League team in the number one team in the State in the Hanover Wildcats on Saturday at 6:15pm. (Game will be on 103.9 KNZA and www.mscsports.net)