The Stanton Boys defeated Pender 65-58 in double overtime Friday night in an East Husker Conference Tournament Consolation Game at Howells-Dodge.
The Mustangs led the Pendragons 13-7 after one before Pender outscored Stanton 19-6 in the second quarter to take a 26-19 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs won the third quarter 12-10 to make it a 36-31 game at the end of three, and then doubled up the Pendragons 10-5 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Both teams scored 10 points in the first overtime before Stanton doubled up Pender 14-7 in the second overtime.
Myles Nickolite led the way with 31 points while Trey Erbst notched 24 points and 8 rebounds. Henry Bohac added 7 rebounds.
It wasn't the prettiest win for the Mustangs, but it was a win.
Stanton (4-14) hosts Clarkson/Leigh (2-16) Thursday night.
The Patriots won 55-45 over Tekamah-Herman in another EHC Consolation Game Friday night.
Both of Clarkson/Leigh's wins have come against the Tigers although I feel the Patriots are playing better basketball now than they were earlier in the season.
This is a game Clarkson/Leigh can definitely win, but I think the Mustangs have a good chance to take care of business and put to rest any thoughts or ideas of a Patriot win.
It most likely won't be very easy, and could be like the Pender game, but Stanton is the bigger school and is at home so you would think they would win.
Nickolite and Erbst need to have repeat performances for the Mustangs though if Stanton wants to win, in my opinion.
Those two took their games to a whole new level, and played great offensive basketball Friday night, in my opinion.
The Mustangs have to try and slow down the likes of Anthony Bruhn, Haden Held, Bradley Bunner, Blake Paprocki, Garrett Schroeder, and others.
Clarkson/Leigh has plenty of weapons offensively, and has proven they can put up some points if you allow them to.
The Patriots have played better basketball over the last few weeks, and that has to at least somewhat concern Stanton.
At the beginning of the season one probably would have marked this a sure win for the Mustangs. Now it's more up in the air than anything, in my opinion.
I look for Stanton to win, but this Clarkson/Leigh team has to have the Mustangs' full attention.
Stanton has to show up ready to play if they want to win, in my opinion. The Mustangs are going to have to play at the top of their game to come away with a win I would say.
The Stanton Girls lost 46-38 to North Bend Central in the East Husker Conference Tournament Semifinals at Howells-Dodge Thursday night before beating Pender 43-34 on Saturday in the third place game at Central Community College in Columbus.
In the North Bend Central/Stanton game, the two teams really got after it on the offensive end early as the Tigers led 18-16 at the end of one thanks to 10 first quarter points from Brooke Fredrickson.
Both defenses took over in the second quarter as North Bend Central won it 6-5 to take a 24-21 lead into the locker room.
The Tigers outscored the Mustangs 7-4 in the third quarter to lead 31-25 at the end of three.
North Bend Central put up 15 points in the fourth quarter compared to 11 for Stanton.
MacKenzie Brandl led all scorers with 20 points, 12 coming in the fourth quarter. Bree Burtwhistle chipped in 9 points while Jessie Brandl notched 7 rebounds.
Stanton was 8-10 at the free throw line while the Tigers were 13-18 with all their attempts coming in the second half.
The Mustangs held a 9-7 lead on the Pendragons at the end of one. Pender won the second quarter 8-6 to tie the game at 15 at halftime.
Stanton doubled up the Pendragons 12-6 in the third quarter to go up 27-21 at the end of three.
The Mustangs notched 16 points in the fourth quarter compared to 13 for Pender.
Jessie Brandl had a game-high 13 points while MacKenzie Brandl added 11. Hannah Heppner and Burtwhistle totaled 8 apiece.
I'm sure Stanton would have loved to have won this tournament, but third place is very respectable, especially considering how deep the field was this year.
The Mustangs (18-2) host Clarkson/Leigh (7-11) Thursday night.
The Patriots lost 48-36 to Oakland-Craig in an EHC Tournament game Thursday night.
Clarkson/Leigh is a much improved team over last year based on results this season, but I don't think the Patriots are equipped to beat a team like Stanton.
The Mustangs are a very sound and strong defensive team, as is Clarkson/Leigh, but Stanton might be a better version of the Patriots.
The Mustangs are one of the top teams in C-2, and beating them won't be easy, especially with the game being in their house.
Stanton has been very good and consistent this year, and is on pace to make state again and do special things in Lincoln this year.
The Mustangs are becoming a power and dynasty in Northeast Nebraska, in my mind, and have already proven to be one of the top teams in the conference.
Stanton just has to keep on grinding, working, and pushing hard to get where they want to be.
I'm sure the Mustangs' ultimate goal is to win a state championship, and if Stanton is to have any chance of knocking off a Crofton or a Howells-Dodge at state, they have to keep getting better.
The Mustangs have three games left in the regular season. In addition to playing the Patriots on Thursday, Stanton takes on Norfolk Catholic at home on Friday, and Pender at home on Saturday.
These are three games that should help prepare the Mustangs for the rigors of the postseason, and at the very least, playing three games in three days should help Stanton prepare for a lot of games in a short amount of time.
The Mustangs have to enjoy these last few games at home, and have fun winning them if they're able to.
So far Stanton hasn't lost at home, and I think the Mustangs have a good chance to finish their home slate undefeated.
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