2nd seeded Oakland-Craig met 3rd seeded Guardian Angels Central Catholic in the C2-3 Boys Sub-District Semifinals at West Point-Beemer Tuesday night in action aired on 107.9 the Bull with the Knights prevailing 63-55.
Oakland-Craig led 10-8 after one before the Bluejays tied things up at 25 at halftime.
The Knights picked things up in the 3rd quarter, outscoring GACC 23-13 to go up 48-38 at the end of three.
The Bluejays won the 4th quarter 17-15.
Colton Thomsen led Oakland-Craig with a game-high 15 points while Caden Nelson and Wyatt Seagren each had 13. Gunnar Ray added 9 while Jaron Meyer chipped in 7.
Good, hard fought win for the Knights. I thought Oakland-Craig really cranked things up in the 2nd half.
The Knights improve to 17-7 on the season and move on to face Yutan (20-3) in Thursday night's Sub-District Final.
The Chieftains routed Fremont Bergan 50-24 in Tuesday night's other Semifinal.
Head Coach Aaron Meyer says it will be an interesting matchup. "They're a solid team. I mean they've got shooters, they got some size, tough point guard. I mean they got a lot of talent. They were in the finals last year for a reason. I like the way we matchup. I don't know how many teams can matchup the way that I feel like we can so you got to play the game so at this point in time it doesn't matter if you're ofer or if you're undefeated you got to win the game and advance."
I think Oakland-Craig could make a Sub-State Final even with a loss, but you always want to win to ensure yourself a trip to a District Final.
Yutan is going to be very difficult to beat though, but if the Knights play the way they did in the 3rd quarter Tuesday night I think they can hold their own with the Chieftains.
Yutan has some future Division I basketball players on their roster so they will be very tough no doubt.
Oakland-Craig has some stud athletes going to college for football though so the Knights have some size and athleticism in their own right.
This is big for Oakland-Craig.
The Knights have had a nice season, but need to play up to and maximize their potential come Thursday night.
I feel like Oakland-Craig can do that too.
I think it's going to take a complete four quarter game for the Knights to get the job done, but feel it can definitely happen.
Yutan is the real deal though, and is going to be extremely difficult to beat.
They shutout Bergan 15-0 in the 1st quarter Tuesday night, and made things look easy against the Knights.
Let's hope things are different for the Oakland-Craig Knights Thursday night.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Oakland-Craig Girls defeated Yutan 52-39 in the C2-2 Sub-District Final from Logan View Thursday night.
The Chieftains led 9-7 after one before the Knights won the 2nd quarter 12-10 to tie the game at 19 at halftime.
Oakland-Craig outscored Yutan 17-10 in the 3rd quarter to pull in front 36-29 at the end of three.
The Knights won the 4th quarter 16-10.
Chaney Nelson led the way with 15 points while Kennedy Benne totaled 12 points and 7 rebounds. Sadie Nelson added 10 points while Sydney Guzinski notched 7. Mya Guzinski and Jeannina Blahak registered 7 rebounds apiece.
Head Coach Joe Anderson says defense was the name of the game in the final 16 minutes. "We turned up our defensive pressure in the 2nd half. We were able to create some offense with our press and help increase the tempo of the game."
Anderson adds it was a great team win. "Kennedy was in foul trouble the whole game, so we had some other girls really step up. Chaney Nelson did a great job of attacking the basket in the 2nd half and really took over. It was nice to see a balanced scoring attack. We know all 8 of the girls can score, and we will need them to do that on Friday. "
The Knights (24-1) battle Wood River (14-11) in the C2-1 Sub-State Final from Columbus High Friday night.
The Eagles won 47-37 over Ravenna in Thursday night's C2-10 Sub-District Final from Ord.
Wood River is a solid team, and has a player back they had been missing for much of the season.
Anderson says they're better than their record. "They are a really good basketball team. They have an outstanding shooting guard that can knock shots down from anywhere, and their leading scorer from last year (16 ppg) just returned the last 3 games as she had been out for the year. They are a scrappy team that does a lot of things well, so we are going to have to play one of our best games to get a win and get to Lincoln."
Still though I fully expect Oakland-Craig to go in there and take care of business.
Anderson says State has been on the team's mind for almost a year now. "Lincoln has been the #1 goal for this group since last March. They know they are one step away, and doing all the right things in practice this week to go out and accomplish that goal."
Columbus High is my Alma Mater, and Columbus has a brand new, State of the Art School and Gym.
Very fun atmosphere and great place to play.
So hopefully it's a night to remember for the Knights.
It should be, and Oakland-Craig should go into State as the No. 1 seed.
I feel like the C-2 field is stacked and loaded this year.
The Knights could very well rematch with BRLD at State, and it would be an intriguing matchup if it happens.
Oakland-Craig has to worry about beating Wood River first though.
The Knights don't get to Lincoln and to a potential rematch with the Wolverines without beating the Eagles first.
Oakland-Craig has to come out and light things up from the start Friday night.
I feel like the Knights have played such a tough schedule that has put them in this position that they are in.
Oakland-Craig plays some really tough competition, but then again so does Wood River.
The Grand Island and Hastings Area has some quality teams for Girls Basketball, and the Eagles are one of them.
The Knights definitely have their work cut out for them in this one, and need to play well.
I fully expect Oakland-Craig to do just that though, and cut down the nets and make a return trip to State.
Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. at CHS.
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