The St. Patrick’s Irish are on to the Class C2 state semifinals for a second straight year after a dominant 47-33 defeat of Ponca in first round action in Lincoln last night. Joseph Clinch’s 16 points led the way as the Irish never trailed in the game. The third-seeded Irish advance to take on two-seed Lutheran High Northeast this afternoon at 3:45 at the Pershing Center. ESPN Radio 1410 will have the action live, with pregame coverage getting underway at 3:30.

In other state tourney action, the Hershey Panthers led early, but couldn’t muster a run late, and fell to Minden 52-44 in first round play in the Class C1 state tournament in Lincoln. Jordan Hiatt scored 13 points to lead the Panthers in the loss. The Panthers season concludes with a 17-6 overall record.