Ed Fritz's return to the Blue Valley district resulted in the usual outcome - a win.

The long-time head coach, who won five state titles in 19 years at Blue Valley Northwest until 2021, oversaw North Kansas City in a win over fellow 810 Varsity Top 10 foe Mill Valley. But it wasn't easy at the end.

The Hornets, No. 6 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, held off a furious run by No. 8 Mill Valley for a 57-50 win in 810 Varsity Showcase 33 at Blue Valley North.

North Kansas City built a 40-21 lead midway in the third quarter, but Mill Valley carved into the lead after a JaKhai Carter steal and layup, Mason Kemp baseline shot and a Kale Drummond three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 46-41 with 4:12 left.

A Herb Bass bucket-and-one pushed the margin to 49-41 with 3:30 left, but a Carter leaner, a Carter Kaifes offensive putback, and a Carter baseline three pulled Mill Valley to 49-38. 

However, Kamron Tate hit a bucket, followed by two Xavius Kirkwood free throws to push the lead to 53-49 with 55 seconds left. A Kemp baseline shot missed forcing a foul, and Jaiden Washington canned two charity tosses to seal the game.

Samuel Dada tossed in 14, while Bass and Tate added 13 for the Hornets. Carter paced the Jaguars with 16, while Drummond scored 10.

North Kansas City (57)
Wedelsheik 1 2-2 4, Kirkwood 1 2-2 4, Washington 2 6-6 8, Tate 6 0-0 13, Bass 5 5-7 15, Dada 5 1-1 12. Totals 20 16-18 57.

Mill Valley (50)
Carter 6 0-0 16, Riedel 2 0-0 6, Drummond 3 1-2 10, Kaifes 4 0-0 8, Kemp 3 4-5 10. Totals 18 5-7 50.

Three-pointers: Tate, Dada; Carter 4, Drummond 3, Riedel 2, 

North KC    20    12    9    16 - 57
Mill Valley    16    3    10    21 - 50