A strong second half propelled Howells-Dodge past Lutheran High Northeast 64-44 in the C2-6 Sub-District Semifinals from Norfolk Catholic on Tuesday, February 19th.
The two teams played each just four days prior, with the Jaguars also winning that contest, 67-63.
The Eagles tied the first quarter score at 11-1 after a buzzer beating three points. The Jaguars went off for 17 points in the second quarter to lead 28-20 at the half.
A 36 point second half helped Howells-Dodge create separation and gain the win.
Lane Hegemann led three Howells-Dodge players in double figures with 18 points, 16 of them in the second half. Blake Sindelar added 15 points and RJ Bayer had 11.
Head Coach Kevin Janata. "We weren't really hitting our shots on Friday. We talked about how we wanted to push the ball, and I think we got some good transition points. And the main thing was talking on defense just doing the small fundamental things. I mean I feel like we gave up a lot of lay ups on Friday, and we did a nice job of protecting the basket and rebounding and talking on defense. Much better this time."
The Jaguars then lost 57-49 to Wakefield in the Sub-District Final on Thursday, February 21st.
Howells-Dodge led 12-9 after one before the Trojans won the 2nd quarter 14-13 to make it a 25-23 game at halftime in favor of the Jaguars.
Wakefield outscored Howells-Dodge 17-7 in the 3rd quarter to go up 40-32 at the end of three.
Both teams scored 17 points in the 4th quarter.
Howells-Dodge upset Freeman 45-41 in overtime in the C2-4 Sub-State Final from Malcolm in action aired on 107.9 the Bull on Monday, February 25th.
The Jaguars hit a layup just before the first buzzer to take a 10-5 lead after the first quarter, and then led 20-16 at halftime.
Freeman outscored Howells-Dodge in the third quarter, and the game was tied 27-27 after the third.
After a short run in the fourth, the Jaguars led at one time by eight points, the largest margin for either team in the game.
Howells-Dodge was up 36-33 late in the fourth when the Falcons hit a three pointer to tie the game at 36-36 at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
Jaguars made 5 of 7 free throws in the extra period while outscoring the Falcons 9-5, and went on to claim the upset victory 45-41. Howells-Dodge was the #13 seed heading into the game while Freeman was the #4 seed.
“We already gave our end of season speech when we lost to Wakefield, we knew it was a long shot to get the wildcard, and I don’t think anybody wanted to feel that feeling again,” Janata said. “We just said at pregame you guys gotta go out there and you have to play with no fear, you just gotta leave it all on the line and have no regrets win, lose or draw at the end. Just know that you gave it everything you got.”
The Jaguars are making their first state tournament appearance since 2014.
Janata. "We're just lucky that we executed down the stretch when it came down to it. We had a little bit of a lead in the 4th quarter, and then credit Freeman....they battled their way back and tied it up at the end of regulation. And at that time you're just playing on adrenaline and whatever you got left, and the boys did a nice job of pulling through in the end."
Howells-Dodge (18-9) will play BRLD (24-1) in the first round of State on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln Northeast in the 1/8 seed game in action that can be heard on the Bull.
The Wolverines won 48-41 over Hastings St. Cecilia in the C2-1 Sub-State Final from Columbus last Monday.
The Jaguars beat BRLD 61-51 at home on December 14th before losing 56-34 to the Wolverines on December 29th at the Howells-Dodge Holiday Tournament.
Janata on the matchup. "I know we've definitely improved since those games. Going in BRLD is a good team, and yeah we beat them before, but we know they beat us a couple days later. And they've also improved as a team as well."
It should be a heck of a game and matchup, and I can't wait to see how things turn out and transpire.
If there was ever a time for an 8 seed to knock off a 1 seed this would be it.
This is a tough bracket with Centennial and Wakefield waiting for a potential Semifinal matchup.
I'm sure Howells-Dodge would love another crack at the Trojans, but both teams have to win first.
It's a big deal for the Jaguars to be at State, but Howells-Dodge has to want to do something at state and can't be satisfied with just being there.
It's kind of unfortunate that two of our area teams have to meet in the first round, but it is what it is.
It's kind of exciting in a way because we are guaranteed to have someone in the State Semifinals.
I'm honestly looking forward to watching the game in person as it should be a lot of fun.
State is a great time nonetheless, and this is an experience these kids will remember for the rest of their lives.
It's something you dream about growing up in small town Nebraska, and now these kids have an opportunity to do something special.
8 seeds have won state before so the Jaguars need to dream and think big.
Howells-Dodge beat BRLD once, and that definitely has to help with confidence and everything.
The winner plays at the Devaney Center on Friday in the Semifinals at 3:45 p.m.
The C-2 State Championship game will be played at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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