SELINSGROVE — On Wednesday evening, No. 5 East Juniata blazed a March Madness-like trail that led not only to their first state tournament berth but much-needed redemption against No. 3 Line Mountain as EJ took the 55-46 victory.

The Tigers boys basketball team will meet the District 2 champion, which will either be Old Forge or Susquehanna Community. EJ will face the winner of that matchup in the first round of the state tourney on March 7.

East Juniata (10-15) got seven points from Wrett Smith in the opening period as the Tigers possessed a 17-10 lead at Selinsgrove Area High School, entering the second stanza.

EJ would push their lead to 24-10 as the Tigers scored seven points to open the second quarter with Meyer Ramsey nailing a trey just before an Eagles’ timeout.

The Eagles (17-10) would wake up in the District 4 Class 2A consolation game. After trailing 27-15, Line Mountain scored 10 straight points to make it 27-25 at halftime. Bryce Smeltz posted eight points in the half with Cameron Malafi having 11 points. Sam Kopacki tallied 10 points for the Tigers in the half.

Niam Braswell recorded seven points in the third stanza for the Eagles, making it 47-39 in favor of the Tigers.

EJ would keep the Eagles at bay for the neutral site victory and will make their first state playoff appearance next week.