Kaitlyn Emanuel scored 25 points and North Bend Central made a statement, downing Broken Bow 50-29 in the opening round of the girls Class C1 State Basketball Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
The Tigers jumped out to a commanding 19-7 lead after the first quarter.
Points were a little harder to come by in the second, but the Tigers still outscored the Indians 8-6. At the half, NBC led Broken Bow 27-13.
North Bend reached double figures in both the third and fourth quarters, while outscoring Broken Bow 23-16 in the second half.
In a game that looked much closer on paper, #4 NBC eliminated #5 Broken Bow.
In addition to Kaitlyn Emanuel's 25 points, Sydney Emanuel added 12 points and 8 rebounds while Cierra Kluthe notched 7 points.
The Tigers then knocked off Winnebago 60-40 in the State Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena Friday Morning in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.
The Tigers led the Indians 21-14 at the end of one, and won the 2nd quarter 11-6 to take a 32-20 lead into the locker room.
NBC outscored Bago 14-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 46-26 at the end of three.
Both teams scored 14 points in the 4th quarter.
Sydney Emanuel had 27 points while Kaitlyn Emanuel added 11 points and 8 rebounds.
The Tigers saved their best for last as Sydney Emanuel was a clutch 8-8 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, and North Bend Central overcame an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth to repeat as Class C1 girls state basketball champions with a thrilling 51-49 win over Hastings St. Cecilia on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln as broadcast on the Bull.
The Hawkettes started the game with a quick 4-0 lead, before NBC tied it at 4-4. HSC was able to grab another lead and head out of the first quarter with a 15-12 advantage.
HSC established another lead in the second quarter but a late surge of offense by NBC that included a three pointer from Hannah Williams helped the Tigers catch up. Sydney Emanuel was fouled as time expired in the second, and made both free throws to tie the game 25-25 heading into halftime.
The Hawkettes’ Bailey Kissinger went off for 12 points in the third, and NBC was held to just seven points. Hastings St. Cecilia took a daunting 43-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
This is where NBC took over. With several HSC players starting to get into foul trouble, the Tigers just started attacking the rim, and were able to get to the free throw line for 15 attempts in the period, making 14 of them.
Kaitlyn Emanuel hit a huge three pointer late in the fourth to cut the score to three points, and then Sydney Emanuel made free throws down the stretch, including the two that put NBC up 51-49 with just seconds left.
HSC got one last look at a tying shot from Kissinger, but it missed, securing the win and state championship for North Bend Central.
The Tigers outscored the Hawkettes 19-6 in the fourth on their way to the win.
Sydney Emanuel led NBC with 20 points and 7 rebounds, including a perfect 12-12 performance at the free throw line. Kaitlyn Emanuel was right behind her with 19 points and 11 rebounds, good enough for a double-double.
NBC was solid from the foul line as a team, going 21-27.
North Bend Central ends the year at 24-3 overall, and as back-to-back Class C1 Girls State basketball Champions.
What a year and what a run it was for the Tigers.
NBC capped off the season with another State Championship. What an amazing accomplishment to win back-to-back State Titles.
Head Coach Aaron Sterup says he told his team they had to pick things up when it was looking bleak. "We certainly weren't feeling great to start the 4th quarter. We had just talked at that timeout that we had to amp up the pressure right there or it was going to be too late. It was sort of a combination of us making some plays, making some shots, and having a few things go our way. All of those are necessary to come back in a situation like that."
It was certainly an incredible comeback and one these Girls will remember for the rest of their lives I am sure.
Coach Sterup says his players did a great job living up to expectations this season. "It is a great feeling. We had a lot of expectations going into the year from outside. It is hard to deal with expectations sometimes, especially when you had just come off of winning one. I thought the girls did a great job of handling those expectations."
Kaitlyn Emanuel led the team in scoring this year with 17 points per game while Sydney was second on the team, averaging 16.
Kaitlyn Emanuel also led the team in rebounding with 198 rebounds on the season while Kluthe was second with 137, and Sydney Emanuel 3rd with 107.
The Tigers say goodbye to Kendyl Boyce, Ally Pojar, Hannah Williams, and Kluthe.
Coach Sterup says these four Seniors did a lot for North Bend Central Girls Basketball. "They have been instrumental in what has happened during their 4 years. They each had a specific role on our team that was very much needed to be successful. Each of them performed that role as well as we could ask. Each of them won us a game on their own at one time or another and won us a lot of games as a group."
NBC figures to be a force to be reckoned with once again next year with the return of Sydney and Kaitlyn Emanuel, Madison Bishop, Madelyn Gaughen, Josie Cleveringa, and others.
Coach Sterup adds next season is shaping up to be another good one. "I think we have a lot of good pieces coming back next year. Our JVs only lost one game this season. I think when you have a couple of players as good as Sydney and Kaitlyn coming back, you still need to surround them with talent and we definitely have that. I look forward to good things ahead."
It will certainly be interesting to see what the Tigers do next year with an opportunity to 3-peat, but for right now North Bend Central should enjoy this State Championship and get ready for next season when they're ready.
No comments:
Post a Comment