The Winnebago Boys saw their dream of winning a second state championship in the last three years end on Friday as the Indians fell 55-52 to Wahoo in the Class C-1 State Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Winnebago led 17-14 after one and outscored the Warriors 14-12 in the second quarter to take a 31-26 lead into the locker room.
The Indians won the third quarter 15-14 to extend their lead to 46-40 at the end of three.
Wahoo rallied in the fourth quarter, putting up 15 points in the frame compared to 6 for Winnebago to seal the deal.
David Wingett paced the Indians with 13 points while Manape Cleveland and Cedrick Blackdeer totaled 11 and 10, respectively.
Kearney Catholic gave Winnebago a run for their money in the first round at the Devaney Center Thursday morning, but the Indians held off the Stars, winning 67-63.
The two teams went back and forth in the first quarter as the game was tied at 18 after one. Winnebago distanced themselves from Kearney Catholic a little bit in the second quarter, outscoring the Stars 18-11 to take a 36-29 lead into the locker room.
The Indians extended their lead to 11 at the end of three, winning the third quarter 17-13 to go up 53-42.
The Stars got within 2 points in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, and put up 21 points in the frame compared to 14 for Winnebago, but it wasn't enough as Wingett canned two free throws to seal the deal for Winnebago.
Wingett led all scorers with 24 points while Drake Gorrin added 18. Blackdeer and Cleveland registered 11 points apiece.
Winnebago beat Columbus Scotus 71-68 in overtime in Saturday's third place game as Blackdeer hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The game was tied at 18 after one. Both teams scored 16 points in the second quarter, and the game was tied at 34 at halftime.
The Indians won the third quarter 11-10 to go up 45-44 at the end of three.
The Shamrocks put up 19 points in the fourth quarter compared to 18 for Winnebago to tie the game at 63 and send it into OT.
The Indians outlasted Columbus Scotus 8-5 in the extra session.
It was a really good season for Winnebago. I'm sure the Indians would have liked to have won state, but third place is still very respectable.
Winnebago ends the year at 28-3.
It was a great year and a great ride for the Indians. This year's senior class accomplished a lot. 3 straight State Tournament appearances and a State Championship is an awful lot to be proud of.
Gorrin, Blackdeer, Wingett, Miguel Baker, Iktomi Rice, and Manazheega Cleveland are all lost to graduation,
Maurice Scott, D'Von LaPointe, Drew Parker, Ed Payer, Manape Cleveland, Makoonce Littlevoice, and Willy Wingett are all back and are key returners for Winnebago.
The Indians don't figure to be very tall next season, but they should be very fast and athletic.
I think Winnebago has a shot to at least get back to the State Tournament next season.
David Wingett is a huge loss for the Indians though and will be sorely missed.
You don't exactly replace that type of talent and production overnight.
With that said, there are many capable, worthy, and deserving players coming back for the Indians, and Winnebago ought to still be pretty good next year.
It will be interesting to see what the Indians have coming up though because a lot of talent will be lost after next year as well.
I do think the future of Winnebago Boys Basketball is bright, but new players have to emerge and develop, and make a name for themselves on this team.
The Indians have to play ball as much as possible in the offseason, whether it's at the school or at the outdoor court in Winnebago.
The returning players and newcomers have to work hard and put the work in this offseason to live up to what past players and teams have accomplished.
The Indians didn't accomplish what they accomplished the last three years without a lot hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and time commitment I'm sure.
I'm sure most if not all of these players put their heart and soul into the game this year and have done the same thing in past years, so the blueprint is definitely there for future players to follow I would say.
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