The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls Basketball Team won their 6th State Championship in School History on Saturday, knocking off Dundy County-Stratton 53-50 in double overtime at Pinnacle Bank Arena in the Class D-1 State Title Game.
The Bluejays led 8-7 after one before winning the second quarter 13-12 to take a 21-19 into the locker room.
The Tigers outscored GACC 12-10 in the third quarter to tie the game at 31 at the end of three.
Both teams scored 7 points in the fourth quarter, and the game was tied at 40 at the end of regulation.
Both teams scored 5 points in the first overtime, and the score was tied at 45 heading into the second overtime period.
The Bluejays outscored Dundy County-Stratton 8-5 in the second overtime session.
Lexis Haase led GACC with 19 points while Makayla Tomka and Maddie Knobbe registered 12 apiece.
GACC advanced to the Class D-1 State Championship Game by knocking off North Central 67-50 in the State Semifinals at the Devaney Center Friday morning.
The Bluejays led 15-10 after one before doubling up the Knights 20-10 in the second quarter to take a 35-20 lead into the locker room.
North Central won the third quarter 16-15, and the score after three was 50-36 in favor of GACC.
The Bluejays outscored the Knights 17-14 in the fourth quarter.
GACC was led by Haase with 25 points. Knobbe added 14 while Hannah Hunke and Lauren Wobken chipped in 9 and 8, respectively.
GACC was given a scare through three quarters by Meridian in the first round of the State Tournament at Lincoln Southwest Thursday morning, but the Bluejays used a 16-point fourth quarter to win 37-29.
GACC trailed 24-21 in the fourth quarter before going on a 10-0 run to lead 31-24.
The game was tied at 21 at the end of three after the Mustangs led 13-12 at halftime.
The Bluejays held a 6-3 lead at the end of one
Haase led GACC with 13 points while Tomka added 11. Wobken chipped in 9.
Head Coach Jerry Stracke says his team overcame a poor shooting performance to win on Thursday. "It seems like we always have one bad shooting day at the state tournament, but not too many teams could shoot like that and come away with a win. They did a nice job making up for it on the defensive end and never gave up when things didn't go their way."
The Bluejays end the season at 24-2 in claiming their first State Title since 2012.
Stracke says his players have a lot to be proud of. "Any time you get down to state its a great achievement and winning it is icing on the cake. It was nice to see their hard work pay off. We have good athletes and good support from the parents and fans. Just happy for them to have that chance to experience it - it will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives."
GACC graduates Hunke, Tomka, Knobbe, Wobken, and Emily Reeson.
The Bluejays bring back the likes of Haase, Maddie Bracht, Allison Plagge, Marissa Hunke, Allie Knobbe, and others.
Stracke adds this year's team was special. "This group was a great group to work with. Great attitudes and work ethic. They had to overcome a lot of obstacles and it made them stronger and better at the end."
It was a great run and ride for GACC, and the Bluejays had a tremendous season, and have plenty to be proud of.
Stracke says his team has to be willing to put in the work to get back next year though. "Commitment to shooting and working during the off season."
GACC has a great Girls Basketball Program, and I imagine the Bluejays will be back at state for a 21st consecutive season.
GACC figures to be sort of young next year, but the Bluejays should still be good as they always reload instead of rebuild.
GACC certainly loses some integral pieces from this year's state championship team, but should be good again next season.
What a ride and what a season the Bluejays had this year though.
I want to personally congratulate these girls on winning the state title...they have an awful lot to be proud of.
All the hard work, time, dedication, and sacrifice this team put in really paid off in the end.
It was a picture perfect end to the season for the seniors, and gives the underclassmen a clear cut idea of what being the best is like and what it's going to take to get back.
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