Blake Sindelar and RJ Bayer combined for 53 points and Howells-Dodge beat Walthill 68-49 in the first round of the boys Class D1 state basketball tournament at Southeast High School in Lincoln on Wednesday in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.
The game was close early, with the Jaguars holding a 15-14 advantage after the first quarter.
Howells-Dodge went off for 22 points in the second quarter, including 13 from Sindelar. Walthill got hot in the second also, as the Blujays connected on five three-pointers.
The Jaguars led 37-31 at halftime.
Bayer scored 10 of H-D’s 16 points in the third quarter, and Howells-Dodge led 53-39 after three.
Howells-Dodge outscored Walthill 15-10 in the fourth quarter, including making 11 free throws, and the Jaguars were able to secure the win.
Sindelar led Howells-Dodge with 28 points, and Bayer was right behind him with 25.
Howells-Dodge was presented with a daunting task when they met 25-0 and #1 seeded Burwell in the semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Thursday in action also aired on the Bull.
The Jaguars proved more than ready for the challenge, as they stunned the Longhorns 76-45.
Burwell raced out to an 11-2 lead in the first quarter, but Howells-Dodge closed the period on a 9-0 scoring run to tie it at 11-11 heading into the second.
The Jaguars had a slight scoring edge in the second, and the Jaguars took a 28-27 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter became the Blake Sindelar Show for Howells-Dodge. The Jaguars outscored the Longhorns 25-10 in the third. Sindelar was responsible for 16 of the 25 points.
Howells-Dodge led 53-37 at the end of the third period.
The fourth quarter was just as dominant for the Jaguars, as they outscored Burwell 23-8 in the frame.
In the end, it was 19-8 Howells-Dodge handing previously unbeaten Burwell their first loss of the season.
Sindelar continued his tournament tear for Howells-Dodge, finishing with 31 points. Jacob Tomcak added 14 for the Jaguars and Bayer scored 11.
Howells-Dodge then met Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family for the State Championship on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in action also aired on the Bull. The Bulldogs rallied from a 10-point deficit at the start of the 4th quarter to win 52-47 in OT.
The Jaguars led the Bulldogs 13-9 after one before winning the 2nd quarter 11-6 to take a 24-15 lead into the locker room.
Howells-Dodge won the 3rd quarter 14-13 to extend their lead to 38-28 at the end of three.
Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family outscored the Jaguars 14-4 in the 4th quarter to tie the game at 42 and send it into overtime.
The Bulldogs doubled up Howells-Dodge 10-5 in the extra session.
The Jaguars were led by Sindelar, who had 18 points.
Great year and great run for Howells-Dodge, who wraps up the season at 20-9.
It was certainly an amazing run for the Jaguars.
And the great news for Howells-Dodge is they only lose one player in Tomcak.
He meant a lot to and did a lot for this program and will be sorely missed no doubt, but the Jaguars have to be very excited for next year given who all returns.
Howells-Dodge brings back the likes of Lance Brester, Aiden Meyer, Gavin Nelson, Brittin Sindelar, Bayer, Blake Sindelar, Aandy Dominguez, Colton Klosen, Nathan Hegemann, and others.
The Jaguars return a ton of talent and a lot of these kids will be Juniors and Seniors next year.
Howells-Dodge couldn't quite finish the deal this year, but I think the Jaguars have a chance to finish unfinished business next year.
I wouldn't be surprised if Howells-Dodge gets back to Lincoln next year and wins a State Title.
Lots of offseason work to do to make that happen, but the Jaguars can definitely do it and get the job done.
One final thing I will mention is finishing as the State Runner-Up this year is a great accomplishment, no doubt. Something to be very proud of and take pride in for sure.
But at the same time I would say finishing 2nd should motivate everyone to work that much harder in the offseason in hopes of coming in 1st place next year and adding some Gold Hardware to the Silver they already have.
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