North Bend Central met #2 seeded Bishop Neumann in the first round of the girls Class C1 state basketball tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Thursday.
The game was close throughout, with Neumann holding a slim 23-21 lead at halftime.
North Bend Central was held to nine points in the third quarter and found themselves trailing 35-30 heading into the fourth.
The Tigers turned the tide in the fourth, and held a two point lead with just over two minutes to play. The score ended up tied at 46-46 at the end of regulation.
Neumann held NBC to just two points in the extra period, and the Cavaliers won 52-48.
Sydney Emanuel led the Tigers with 13 points, while Megan Ortmeier and Cierra Kluthe each added 10.
Head Coach Aaron Sterup says the loss was a tough pill to swallow. "It was very disappointing because of the fact that we thought we had the game won. They made some nice plays down the stretch, but I thought we outplayed them. We were unlucky as much as anything. I would hope that a game like that would really be a motivator for next season."
North Bend Central ends its season at 19-8.
What a great run for the Tigers this year. I don't know if many outside the program expected North Bend Central to do what they did and make the kind of run they did.
This team put things together at the right time and really did some nice things.
Sterup says his team persevered and reached their potential. "I think we knew the entire time we had a lot of talent and ability. It just took us some time to gain some confidence and learn how to play basketball the way we had to to be successful. Once we figured out our roles and what worked for us, I knew we would be tough to beat. The girls worked very hard. After losses, they came ready to improve. After wins, they came in the same way. They are a good group that wants to be successful and is willing to work to make that happen."
North Bend Central says goodbye to Faith Taylor, Kendra Lorence, and Cami Faltin.
Next year should be a really good year with the likes of Lauren Emanuel, Ortmeier, Sydney Emanuel, Kluthe, Ashley Humlicek, and Abby Post among those returning.
Sterup says the team is anxious for next year to begin. "Well, we can certainly use a bit of a break, but I am sure we will all be biting at the bit to get going much sooner than November. It should make for an exciting 8 months getting ready for the challenge."
I think the Tigers can make a big state run next year if everything falls into place.
This team could of easily made the State Semifinals or farther with the right matchup.
I think North Bend Central proved how great of a team they are this season.
The Sub-State format really helped the Tigers although NBC won their way through the postseason anyways.
I think the loss to the Cavaliers is something the Tigers can use as motivation to get even better next season.
There's no doubt North Bend Central can be a great team next year with the potential to win a State Title.
The Tigers have a lot of key pieces back next year and should be a huge force to be reckoned with once again next season.
I look for North Bend Central to have a huge offseason and comeback even stronger next year than they were this year.
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