Excelsior Springs ended the regular season of varsity boys basketball with a win – and started the postseason with one. The Tigers were slated to face Odessa Wednesday night in the Class 4 District 15 Tournament semifinals at Oak Grove. They advanced by opening the singleelimination tournament with a 53-47 win Feb. 27 over Northeast of Kansas City. The postseason win followed Excelsior Springs’ 59-56 Feb. 22 road win over Oak Grove. The Tigers jumped out to an 11-0 lead against Oak Grove, sparked by senior Rakai Gantt’s transition layup off of a steal. Sophomore Jake Zapata followed that with a three-point bucket from the wing. Seniors Brendan Blackburn, Ryan Gluhm and Colson Moore contributed to the opening run with two free throws, a bucket and a layup, respectively. Oak Grove outscored Excelsior Springs 16-7 the rest of the first quarter to cut the Tigers’ lead to two (18-16) at quarter’s end. The Tigers edged th...