The La Salle Lincoln seventh-grade boys basketball team will play in the IESA Class 3A third-place game on Thursday, while Putnam County saw its season end Saturday in the Class 2A quarterfinals.

Lincoln opened the state tournament with a 44-37 victory over Metamora in the quarterfinals at El Paso-Gridley High School. Malakai Persich scored 17 points to lead the Lynx, while Khiel added 14 points.

The Lynx came up short in the semifinals, losing 50-48 to Lisle. Ford scored 26 points for Lincoln, while Persich and Oliver Jeppson each contributed eight points.

Lincoln (19-1) will play Clinton (22-5) in the third-place game at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Putnam County lost its quarterfinal 37-18 to Normal Epiphany at Macon Meridian High School. Marshall Holocoker led the Pumas with 11 points, while Hans Frund and Hudson Heiberger each had seven points.

Putnam County finished 24-1.