The BRLD Boys Basketball Team capped off a 29-0 perfect season, and won back-to-back State Championships after defeating Grand Island Central Catholic 61-47 in the Class C-2 State Championship Game at Pinnacle Bank Arena Saturday night in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.
The Wolverines opened up the State tournament with a 71-46 thrashing of Doniphan-Trumbull in the first round at Lincoln Southeast Thursday night in action also aired on the Bull.
The teams exchanged buckets early and often, with Doniphan-Trumbull leading 12-11 at one point. BRLD closed the first quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 20-12 after the first quarter.
The Wolverines extended that into a 15-0 run early in the second period, and then went on a separate 9-0 run, taking a 42-19 lead into halftime.
After outscoring the Cardinals 16-5 in the third quarter, BRLD slowed the pace in the fourth quarter, cruising to the victory.
Lucas Vogt led four BRLD players in double figures with 19 points. Dylan Beutler added 16, Jaxon Johnson scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds, good enough for a double-double, and Darwin Snyder had 10 points.
The Wolverines defeated Sutton 59-51 in overtime in the semifinals Friday night at the Devaney Center, in another game aired on the Bull.
BRLD went on a short run to start the game, before Sutton tied things up at 7-7. But the Wolverines held a 11-9 lead after the first quarter.
Sutton played a strong second quarter, and was leading 25-21 late, when BRLD’s Lucas Vogt hit a three pointer as time expired, sending the game into halftime with Sutton leading 25-21.
Vogt opened the third quarter by scoring eight unanswered points for BRLD, who jumped out to a 32-25 lead. The Wolverines hit four three pointers in the period, and held a 41-37 advantage heading into the fourth.
BRLD was held to just five points in the fourth quarter, and the Mustangs came back to tie the game at 46-46, sending things into overtime.
The Wolverines opened the extra period on a 6-0 run, and went on to dominate, outscoring Sutton 13-5, and winning the game 59-51.
Vogt eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in his career, as he led the Wolverines with 26 points. Snyder added 12 points. Beutler chipped in 8 points and 7 rebounds while Johnson totaled 7 points and 9 rebounds.
Against the Crusaders, the game was never really in doubt with the Wolverines leading 18-7 at the end of the 1st quarter, and outscoring GICC 13-6 in the 2nd quarter to take a commanding 31-13 lead into the locker room.
The Crusaders won the 3rd quarter 13-12 to make it a 43-26 game at the end of three.
GICC won the 4th quarter 21-18.
Beutler and Vogt each scored 16 points for the Wolverines, with Gatzemeyer adding 12.
BRLD pushes its overall win streak to 52 games.
What a magnificent and amazing year for the Wolverines, who finish the season undefeated.
The best team in the local immediate area hands down and one of the top teams in the State regardless of class and one of the best teams/dynasties in Nebraska High School Boys Basketball History.
Head Coach Cory Meyer says Sutton almost spoiled the party. "Yeah Sutton they gave us their best, and we definitely had to earn that game, and thankfully we were able to do that. And yeah it definitely did wake us up a little bit cause we did come out flat and just didn't play real focused."
Meyer adds the starting five played really well against GICC. "I was pleased with the way they played. Lucas again had a good game. Will was able to play with his knee injury. And Darwin was able to hit some shots. And Dylan was able to hit some shots and play big. And Jaxon was able to play big inside."
Meyer says they really challenged their bigs inside, saying they were going to have to have a really good game for the team to win.
Meyer feels bad and thankful at the same time given the circumstances that the tournament was held. "It was very quiet. There were times where you just couldn't hear anything. And I feel terrible for those, the fans, and other family members that weren't able to go. Cause we've had a great following. And I'm so thankful for that. I feel bad for them, but on the other hand I was so thankful that the NSAA allowed us to play. And just to prove again that we were part of the best in C-2."
Meyer shares his favorite memory from the team's magnificent run this year. "It was putting that medal around Arizona Riecken's neck. He just got cleared to be able to do activities cause he had cancer. He got cancer the summer going into his freshman year. And he's battled it ever since and finally got cleared to play. And he's a good ball player, and he's missed out on so much. And being able to put that around his neck...that was probably my favorite memory right there. And that was a goal of mine since the beginning of the year knowing that he was going to be able to play. And I'll never forget that."
That's an incredible memory and story right there, that's for sure.
BRLD says goodbye to Snyder, Johnson, Gatzemeyer, Braxton Bargmann, Brayden Anderson, Riecken, and Devin Hegge. "We'll graduate seven seniors. They're a very huge core of our team. And next year we're just going to have to have kids step up and fill some shoes," Meyer said.
Key returners for next year include Vogt, Beutler, Micah Henschen, and Derek Petersen.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Wolverines next year, but I'm sure it will be a little while before BRLD worries about next season.
Congrats to the champs!!!!!! BRLD Wolverines, back-to-back undefeated State Champs!!!!! Yeah baby!!!!!
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