7:58 PM: The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is headed to the state tournament after a big win in districts tonight – 72-49 over Liberty HS at Bellevue College. Details and photos later.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 1:40 AM: The Wildcats took the lead two and a half minutes into the game and never looked back. They just kept building, and Liberty had no chance to even attempt a comeback. By halftime, WSHS was up 38 to 29, then extended the lead into double digits in the second half.

West Seattle had four players with double-digit point totals – #2, senior Maximus Holliman; #3, junior Bo Gionet; #5, senior Ryder Mackay; and #11, senior Luke Wade.

For outside-shooting fans, this game had plenty of threes, and sharpshooting combined with tough defense led WSHS to the big win. Tomorrow, head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats have one more game at the district tournament, 3 pm today (Saturday) vs. Rainier Beach, again at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

The game is for fifth place in the district, but both teams already are guaranteed a spot at the state tournament, which starts next Tuesday (February 21st) – opening-round matchups and locations are yet to be determined.