BRLD Boys finish 3rd at State

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team finished 3rd at State this past weekend, defeating Elmwood-Murdock 48-47 in overtime at Lincoln Southeast in Thursday's first round on a Lucas Vogt buzzer beater that may be remembered forever before losing 50-33 to Ponca in Friday in the Semifinals at the Devaney Center, and beating Yutan 73-62 in the 3rd place game on Saturday at Lincoln East.

The last C-2 boys state basketball quarterfinal matchup of the day on Thursday saw more drama than a soap opera.

BRLD started the game hot from behind the arc, hitting five three pointers in the first quarter, taking a 17-6 lead.

The Wolverines added another pair of threes in the second quarter, running their first half total to seven made three pointers, and would lead 26-13 at halftime.

The Knights came out firing in the third quarter, however hitting a trio of three-pointers, and outscoring BRLD 15-2, and the game was tied 28-28 after three.

Both teams scored nine points in the fourth quarter, and at the end of regulation, the game was tied 37-37, sending the action into overtime.

Things seemed bleak late for BRLD, trailing 47-45 with 6.5 seconds to go.

The Wolverines rebounded a missed Elmwood-Murdock free throw and the outlet pass went to Vogt, who crossed halfcourt and drained a deep three pointer as time expired to give BRLD the OT win.

Vogt was the leading scorer for BRLD with 17 points including four threes. Darwin Snyder also hit four shots from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points.

Coming off an amazing overtime win the night before, Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons Decatur was met with another challenge when they faced #1 Ponca in the Class C2 boys basketball semifinals heard on 107.9 The Bull.

Ponca came out hot, making six three-pointers in the first quarter, to lead 22-13. The Indians would go up 30-20 at halftime.

Cold shooting from the Wolverines in the second half allowed Ponca to keep the score out of reach for much of the game, eventually winning 50-33.

Vogt had nine points for BRLD, with Trent Gatewood adding eight and Jaxon Johnson scoring seven.

The Wolverines led the Chieftains 15-9 at the end of one, and outscored Yutan 24-14 in the 2nd quarter to take a 39-23 lead into the locker room.

The Chieftains outscored BRLD 18-10 in the 3rd quarter to make it a 49-41 game at the end of three.

The Wolverines won the 4th quarter 24-21.

Great run and season for BRLD.

The Wolverines end the year at 26-3.

BRLD had a magnificent season, in my opinion, picking up big wins over Omaha Nation, Howells-Dodge (3 times), West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig (twice), Wakefield (twice), Winnebago, North Bend Central, Wisner-Pilger, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Battle Creek, and of course Elmwood-Murdock and Yutan at state.

The Wolverines did a lot of great things this year and have a ton to be proud of.

Head Coach Cory Meyer says the tough transition time in the first year of the co-op last year paid off this year. "I couldn't be more excited for our players, coaches, communities, schools, fans, etc...  Last year was a difficult year because of the 1st year of the co-op; the transition was tougher than I originally thought but was excited for it. The co-op brings the best out of the players. The more competition, the harder they try, the better they become."

Meyer adds the shot by Vogt is something he'll never forget. "I was excited and stunned at the same time. There were a lot of emotions throughout that game and that put the cherry on top. Put it this way, watching that buzzer beater and listening to it on the radio never gets old. He threw that shot up and it is not a high percentage shot, so obviously I had my doubts. I shouldn't be too surprised though because Lucas made a similar shot from almost the exact same location over the summer to win a game."

I tell you what...I'm sure Bancroft, Rosalie, Lyons, and Decatur, and other areas were rocking that night after that shot heard around Northeast Nebraska.

I know I about fell out of my chair out of excitement.

It's something I'm sure Vogt and everyone that was involved with the team in some way or was there or listened will remember for as long as they live.

It was a great shot, and is something BRLD can definitely use as a springboard into next season, in my opinion.

The Wolverines wouldn't have had the success they had without the seniors though I would say.

Meyer says being tough and unselfish allowed BRLD to have the kind of season they had. "What stands out about this team is how mentally tough they were which was a question I had going into the season. In the past, I've had teams play up to teams levels and also play down to teams levels. This team did not do that. They played hard no matter who it was against. Sure, we had a couple not so good performances but it wasn't a result of not trying hard. What I think I will remember about these seniors is the fact they accepted their roles better than I ever thought they would. And when the players except their roles, good things happen. My last impression of our senior starters Trent Gatewood and Kenyan Lovejoy and back-up seniors Michael Snyder and Hunter Ferguson will be the state consolation game vs Yutan. I cleared the locker room and had a heart to heart conversation with them, placing a lot of weight on their shoulders that game and they really came through. All 4 played about as well as I could have asked and it made a huge difference in the game. It's nice to give them a great send off like we did and be able to place a medal around their necks for their last game."

I'm sure winning that last game is something Lovejoy, Gatewood, Michael Snyder, and Ferguson will remember for the rest of their lives.

They went out winners.

The rest of the team is back next year, and I fully expect BRLD to make another state run.

The Wolverines have to work just as hard if not harder than they have in the past to be great again next year, in my opinion.

I'm sure BRLD will be up to the task of improving and growing before next season begins.

Meyer adds the co-op has brought out the best in these kids. "I'm thrilled that the board members game to an agreement to continue with the Co-op. Like I said before, the co-op creates competition and when there's competition, it makes the players work harder and become more disciplined, harder workers."

I look for BRLD to make another run at a state title next year.