High school basketball: Class A-B state tournament qualifiers

No. 3 Sterling (27-2): The third-ranked Tigers are making their second consecutive trip to state.

No. 5 Velma-Alma (24-3): Reached state last year with one of Class A's best players, Corbin Byford, but this year's squad is more balanced.

Class B Boys

No. 3 Red Oak (25-3): Back at state for the fifth time in six years, having won it all in 2009.

No. 6 Big Pasture (27-1): Won its 26th straight game to earn the team's first state tournament berth since 2009.

Class A Girls

No. 2 Frontier (23-6): A tough schedule has hardened a young team and helped the Mustangs into the field for the fifth consecutive season.

No. 4 Kiowa (22-7): Started the season 12-0 before struggling in the middle of the season but turned it on late to make the tournament for the second consecutive season.

No. 8 Sterling (27-2): Haven't lost since early December, winning 19 consecutive games to make the tournament for the first time since 1995.

Class B Girls

No. 1 Hammon (25-4): In the state tournament for the fifth consecutive season, the Warriors haven't lost to a Class B team this season.

No. 4 Red Oak (26-3): The Eagles, in the tournament for the third consecutive season after missing out from 1979-2010, haven't lost since mid-December.