2017 Hanover Boys Sub-State Champions (courtesy of Kieran Wurtz)

For the 16th time in school history the Hanover Wildcat boys made the State basketball tournament and for the 11th time they will finish in the Top four after a first round victory at the Class 1A-Division I State tournament in Hays. Hanover jumped on Rural Vista early and padded their lead throughout to take the 68-46 win. 

Hanover started strong and worked to a 19-6 lead in the first quarter and led 20-11 after the first against the Heat of Rural Vista. The Wildcats continued to be hot outscoring Rural Vista 26-10 in the second to lead 46-21 at intermission. Pouncing on more and more opportunities Hanover did throughout the rest of the game leading by as many as 33 points and turning 16 Heat turnovers into 21 points, while also shooting 20-29 from the free throw line and hitting eight three-pointers in the game. 

Will Bruna led Hanover with 21 points hitting 9-13 free throws in the contest, while Michael Jueneman chipped in 19 points going 4-8 from behind the arc. 

The win moved Hanover to 22-2 on the season and for the third straight year into the Final Four of the State tournament as they earned a spot in the 1A-DI State Semifinals on Friday, March 10th set to play at 4:45pm against the winner of South Barber and St. Francis.