The 8th seeded Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys upset top seeded Dundy County-Stratton 65-55 in the first round of the Class D-1 State Tournament at Lincoln East Thursday afternoon.
The Bluejays led 19-16 at the end of one. The Tigers won the second quarter 9-7 to make it a 26-25 game at halftime in favor of GACC.
The Bluejays outscored Dundy County-Stratton 19-15 in the third quarter to go up 45-40 at the end of three.
GACC put up 20 points in the fourth quarter compared to 15 for the Tigers.
Mitch Haas had a team-high 19 points for the Bluejays while Kobe Slaughter and Nolan Plagge totaled 17 and 16, respectively.
The Bluejays jumped on the Cardinals 18-8 at the end of one before Randolph doubled up GACC 18-9 in the second quarter to make it a 27-26 game at halftime in favor of the Bluejays.
GACC extended their lead to 7 at 38-31 at the end of three by winning the third quarter 11-5.
The Bluejays outscored the Cardinals 19-14 in the fourth quarter.
Plagge led GACC with a game-high 18 points while Slaughter totaled 14. Andrew Guenther chipped in 10.
Lourdes Central Catholic ended Guardian Angels Central Catholic’s hopes of a Class D-1 state championship by beating the Bluejays 47-44 Saturday morning at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Only three teams had won back to back titles in D-1, and now the Knights are the fourth.
A 10-2 run at the end of the third made the difference in the game even though the Bluejays hit four threes in the fourth quarter to keep it close.
Haas and Plagge totaled 13 points apiece while Slaughter notched 12.
Head Coach Brad Slaughter says playing at PBA is something he will never forget. "It was a big deal, not all kids and coaches get to experience that. To make that big of run with this groups of boys, and my son, will be something that will be cherished for the rest of my life. Childhood dream."
Slaughter adds there's not a lot he feels the team could of done differently to win. "I wouldn't of changed much, maybe try to get better movement within the offense."
GACC ends the year at 16-14.
Slaughter says he will always remember this team as a team that always gave it their all. "How competitive these kids are and how they left everything out on the floor every game."
The Bluejays graduate Haas, Plagge, Slaughter, Derek Petz, Cole Kreikemeier, Sam Ulrich, Guenther, and Bryant Rief.
GACC brings back the likes of Landon Stalp, Jared Minnick, and Casey Doernemann.
The Bluejays don't return a whole lot next year with most players lost to graduation, but Slaughter says making the state championship ought to give next year's team a boost. "Has to be a big step in developing a program. Should help us understand how the strength of schedule will help in the end if you maintain the proper mind set."
I don't know how GACC's JV did this year, but the Bluejays lose a lot off this year's team.
With that said, teams like GACC just reload instead of rebuild.
Slaughter says it's going to take off season work on basketball skill to be successful again next season.
The Bluejays certainly came up short of achieving their dream of winning a state title, but just to play at PBA and experience a state championship is something that will no doubt last a lifetime for everyone involved with the team this season.
A tough schedule definitely paid off and benefited GACC in the long run.
There's not much more you could ask from the Bluejays to end the year other than to win the state title.
I think not winning it leaves more to accomplish and play for next year though.
Next year's team ought to have a deep passion and burning desire to get back to Lincoln and PBA.
And GACC can definitely get back there, they just have to work hard in the offseason and trust the process.
I credit this year's team for continuing to fight and defy the odds no matter how difficult things got at certain times this year.
This team was very senior laden, and I think the senior leadership paid off in the end for the Bluejays.
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