A game that seemed destined to ravel out of control early in the second half Wednesday night wound up respectable in the end.

Eighty-eight seconds is all it took for No. 4 Litchfield to stomp down hard in a 51-40 victory over Watertown-Mayer at Target Center.

Up 20-8 at halftime, the Dragons (25-4) scored the first seven points of the second half before Royals could blink.

But the Royals  (28-3), who committed 10 first-half turnovers to just 12 field goals attempted, found their touch. They whittled the Litchfield lead to single digits until free throws in the final minute pumped it back up.

Zach Kinny and Jon Terning had 14 points apiece for the Dragons, who are making their first state tournament appearance since winning three championships in four years from 2000-03. Nate Kratch finished with a game-high 18 points for the Royals.

-- Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune

Jon Terning, Litchfield - Jon put down 14 points late Wednesday in the Class 2A quarterfinals at the Target Center as Litchfield defeated Watertown-Mayer. After an eight-point first half, Terning contributed six points in the second as the Dragons hung onto the lead late. Terning also had three steals to contribute to the team's total of 10. Going 8-for-9 from the free throw line was important late as the Dragons advance to the semifinals.  

Zach Kinny, Litchfield - Kinny was standout, especially in the second half where he scored nine of his 14 points. Zach also lead the team in assists with three and chipped in two steals. Zach was noticeably dominant on the offensive board, grabbing eight rebounds. 

Nate Kratch, Watertown-Mayer - After a slow start for Watertown-Mayer, Nate led the team to a comeback that had the margin down to seven late in the contest. Kratch had two of the teams eight points in the first half and 18 of the total 40.  He completed the double-double by grabbing 12 rebounds.  Kratch was also 2-for-2 from the line.  

-- Ryan Brodd, MN Basketball Hub Staff