Columbia had nothing tangible to gain in Tuesday’s game against city rival Eau Claire in the final round of the Region 3-2A boys basketball campaign.

The Capitals (11-12, 6-4) were assured of no better or no worse than a No. 3 seed out of the region in the state playoffs, but the 66-50 win certainly had significance on the Midlands basketball scene.

After all, the verdict officially eliminated Eau Claire from postseason consideration for the first time in 28 years. The last time the Shamrocks missed the playoff cut was in 1985.

Marcus Praylow (20 points), Trinity Sells (17) and Gerald Snooks (15) did the heavy lifting for the Capitals.

The win allowed North Central to finish in fourth place and earn the region’s final invitation. Keenan (10-0) and Fairfield Central (8-2) are the region’s top two seeds and both rate home games in the first round of the 2A playoffs on Feb. 13.

The Capitals girls (10-8, 6-4) scored a 57-47 win over the Shamrocks in the opener to clinch the No. 3 postseason seed behind champion Keenan and runner-up Fairfield Central. EC will be the No. 4 seed.