Howells-Dodge Boys go 1-2 in final three games; Girls lose Sub-District Final to Stanton

The Howells-Dodge Boys Basketball Team lost 52-31 at Lutheran High Northeast Friday night to end the regular season before winning 54-44 over Stanton in the C2-4 Sub-District Play-In-Game at Norfolk Catholic Monday night, and falling 60-51 to Battle Creek in Tuesday night's Semifinals.

The Eagles got out to a 13-6 lead on the Jaguars after one before the Jaguars outscored LHNE 13-7 in the 2nd quarter to make it a 20-19 game at halftime in favor of the Eagles.

Lutheran High Northeast outscored Howells-Dodge 17-8 in the 3rd quarter to go up 37-27 at the end of the three.

The Eagles outscored the Jaguars 15-4 in the 4th quarter.

The Jaguars got out to a 12-5 lead on the Mustangs at the end of one before winning the 2nd quarter 14-13 to take a 26-18 lead into the locker room.

Howells-Dodge outscored Stanton 10-7 in the 3rd quarter to go up 36-25 at the end of three.

The Mustangs won the 4th quarter 19-18.

Connor Blum led the way with 13 points while Lane Hegemann totaled 9 points and 9 rebounds. Josh Brester notched 8 points while Dax VanLengen scored 7.

The Braves got out to a 15-8 lead after one. The Jaguars won the 2nd quarter 10-7 to make it a 22-18 game at halftime in favor of Battle Creek.

The Braves outscored Howells-Dodge 15-9 in the 3rd quarter.

The Jaguars won the 4th quarter 24-23.

VanLengen registered 11 points and 8 rebounds while Hegemann added 11 points. Blum recorded 10 points and 9 rebounds.

I thought Howells-Dodge competed very well in their last game of the season.

The Jaguars end the year at 13-12.

I'm sure Howells-Dodge would have liked to have done better this year, but it is what it is.

The Jaguars picked up big wins this year over Pierce, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (twice), West Point-Beemer, Hartington Cedar Catholic, and Wakefield.

Howells-Dodge beat and lost to some really good teams this year.

Blum, Hegemann, VanLengen and Kade Hegemann led the team in scoring with 10 points per game each. Lane Hegemann led the Jaguars in rebounding at 7 boards a game.

Head Coach Cole Fischer has stepped down as Head Coach as he has taken a Principal/AD Position at the school. "First off, I want to thank the seniors for giving everything to program the last 6 years and having a winning record for the first time in 4 years. Great job fellas. Throughout my last 6 years as HD Jags basketball coach, I have learned and loved, won and lost, and I have grown as man because of the athletes and students in this school. Sometimes I have to remind myself of how lucky I am to have the opportunity to teach and coach at Howells-Dodge. I want to thank all past, present, and future Jaguars for their hard work, dedication, and memories they have given me as a coach. I sincerely love every single player that has passed through this program and I look forward to guiding HD from behind the scenes. I want to thank my wife Justine, my girls Kashmir and Collins, for supporting me even when it means countless hours away from home. I want to also thank my assistant coaches Bryan Ruzek and Joe Wisnieski. These guys are the ones who are behind the scenes and need to take credit for the time and dedication they have brought to the program...without them we wouldn’t have accomplished the things we have. Lastly, I want to thank parents and communities of Howells and Dodge for trusting me to guide their boys in multiple sports. Your support is unmatched and you have all raised great young men. Words can’t describe how much I will miss being on the sideline, but I also know that all of our coaches at HD truly make HD a one of a kind place that can’t be matched. It has been a true honor and I will forever be grateful for my time as a Head Coach at Howells-Dodge."

The Jaguars lose Blum, Jordan Brichacek, VanLengen, and Ryan Macholan to graduation.

Key returners include Josh Brester, Luke Rocheford, Lane Hegemann, Caden Jackson, and Kade Hegemann.

There's some talent on this roster, and Howells-Dodge figures to be good once again next year regardless of who the new Head Coach is.

Howells-Dodge has a lot to look forward to in the future, and I look for the Jaguars to only be good in the future.

Howells-Dodge's returning players and newcomers have to continue to dedicate themselves to the weightroom and great play on the court throughout the offseason.

These young men have to continue to grow and develop as people, students, and athletes so they can continue to be successful in everything they do now and in the future.

The Howells-Dodge Girls Basketball Team gave Stanton a run for their money in the C2-4 Sub-District Final at Norfolk Catholic last Thursday night, but the Jaguars wound up losing 46-39.

The Mustangs held a 9-8 lead after one, and won the 2nd quarter 14-12 to take a 23-20 lead into the locker room.

The Jaguars doubled up Stanton 10-5 in the 3rd quarter to go up 30-28 at the end of three.

The Mustangs doubled up Howells-Dodge 18-9 in the 4th quarter.

Grace Dvorak had a game-high 15 points while Erin Prusa totaled 10.

Valiant effort from the Jaguars last Thursday night, but it wasn't enough to win.

Howells-Dodge concludes the campaign at 12-12.

The defending Class C-2 State Champions had some big wins this year against Pierce, Oakland-Craig, Clarkson/Leigh, BRLD, and Lutheran High Northeast.

The Jaguars lost to some great teams this year, and really had a nice and spectacular season.

Macey Kulhanek led the team in scoring this year at 16 points a game. Jessi Brester and Prusa were the leading rebounders with 5 per game.

Howells-Dodge loses 3 seniors to graduation in Kulhanek, Katelyn Steffensmeier, and Jordyn Brester.

I thought these 3, especially Kulhanek, were big contributors for this team and allowed the Jaguars to have the kind of success they had this year.

Key returners include Dvorak, Prusa, Cassie Pieper, Tonya Brester, Taya VanLengen, Jessi Brester, and Lexie Brester.

Howells-Dodge was very young this year, and I think the Jaguars will only be better next year with these players gaining a lot of experience.

Howells-Dodge should have a nice mixture of Seniors and Sophomores, who were Juniors and Freshmen this season.

The Jaguars need to have a big year of growth and development to be successful next season, in my opinion.

Every player has to get bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic.

Howells-Dodge has to come ready to work every time they take the floor and hit the weightroom between now and November.

I'm sure most if not all of these girls take part in track, but after that's over it's time to get back to work on the hardwood.

Quite honestly though next season starts today so the sooner these girls get to work the better off they are going to be.

I look for the Jaguars to win at least 15-20 games next year, and put themselves in contention for a state berth at the very least.

Stanton figures to be great again next year, and could be a tough team for Howells-Dodge yet again if the two are put in the same sub-district again though.

Regardless of the competition though the Jaguars should be pretty solid again next year.

West Point-Beemer Boys beat Fremont Bergan in regular season finale, lose to Arlington in Sub-Districts; Girls top Arlington in Sub-District Final

The West Point-Beemer Boys Basketball Team defeated Fremont Bergan 46-36 at home Friday night to end the regular season before falling 49-42 to Arlington in the C1-4 Sub-District Semifinals at Oakland-Craig Tuesday night.

The Knights led the Cadets 15-11 after one before West Point-Beemer outscored Bergan 11-2 in the 3rd quarter to take a 22-17 lead into the locker room.

The Cadets won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to go up 35-28 at the end of three.

West Point-Beemer outscored the Knights 11-8 in the 4th quarter.

Tate Ernesti had a team-high 13 points while Blake Anderson notched 8. Austin and Chase Streeter each had 7 rebounds.

The Eagles built a 29-10 lead and held off a 4th quarter rally attempt by the Cadets.

Arlington jumped out to a 10-3 lead at the end of one and both teams scored 5 points in the 2nd quarter to make the score 15-8 at halftime in favor of the Eagles.

Arlington outscored West Point-Beemer 14-2 in the 3rd quarter to build their 29-10 lead.

The Cadets outscored the Eagles 32-20 in the 4th quarter.

Anderson led West Point-Beemer with 18 points while Hunter Pilakowski notched 8.

Tough way for the Cadets to go out.

West Point-Beemer ends the season at 15-10.

The Cadets had an up and down season with some good wins and not so good losses.

Big wins came over Wisner-Pilger, Oakland-Craig, and Bergan.

Difficult losses include the game against Howells-Dodge, Pierce, and the Sub-District game against Arlington.

Losing to the Eagles had to really hurt West Point-Beemer. I thought the Cadets would do better in the postseason than they did.

Chase Streeter led the team in scoring with 11 points and 5 rebounds a game this season.

West Point-Beemer says goodbye to Chase and Austin Streeter, Gavin Case, Pilakowski, Cole Hughes, Greg Johnson, Garret Meyer, Ernesti, James Meiergerd, and Alex Gianella.

This was a very talented senior class, and they were so special and instrumental in the Cadets having the success they did over the past 4 years.

The story with Meiergerd is incredible, and it was fun talking to and broadcasting a game with Gianella, the foreign exchange student.

West Point-Beemer returns just Anderson and Ben Vander Griend.

Two solid players back for the Cadets, but this was the Cadets' year to do something.

It will be interesting to see who all steps up and emerges for West Point-Beemer next season.

There are a lot of question marks heading into next season you could say so it will be interesting to see what happens.

One thing is for sure though...the returning players and newcomers have to work hard and get after things this offseason.

The Cadets have to play a lot of basketball from now until November, and get ready to take on new roles as leaders and such.

West Point-Beemer will be breaking in a lot of new players so varsity experience could be at a premium heading into next season.

That's why it's important for the returning players and newcomers to grow and develop as much as possible.

The West Point-Beemer Girls Basketball Team defeated Arlington 51-38 in the C1-4 Sub-District Final at Oakland-Craig last Thursday night.

The Cadets tripled up the Eagles 21-7 in the 1st quarter, and won the 2nd quarter 9-5 to take a 30-12 lead into the locker room.

West Point-Beemer won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to go up 43-23 at the end of three.

Arlington outscored the Cadets 15-8 in the 4th quarter.

Brittney Hinkel totaled 14 points and 7 rebounds while Sidney Swanson and Katie Pilakowski totaled 10 each. Makenna Weddle added 8.

Head Coach Craig Theis thought it would be Arlington who they'd need to beat to make a District Final, and he was right.

West Point-Beemer (20-6) takes on Wahoo (22-3) in the C1-2 District Final at Fremont High Friday night in action that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.

The Warriors knocked off Bishop Neumann 53-43 in the C1-3 Sub-District Final at Millard West last Thursday night.

Theis says Wahoo shoots the 3 ball well. "I know they're a great team. They like to shoot the 3 pointer. They like to get up in and get tight on defense. They like to run I guess I should say a little bit. So pretty similar to us except they can shoot the 3 ball really well. And they have some athleticism."

The Cadets are 15-2 in their last 17 games. Theis says more practice time has led to that. "We decided to pick up our practice about Christmas time, and just go two hours and get after it, cause we got a lot of depth. And so we wanted to make practices very competitive. And we've really liked the results of our practice. And these girls are just so hungry whether it's staying after and shooting until 6:30 or waking up early morning and shooting at 7:15. We finally got the results we wanted from that extra work and extra practice."

I think West Point-Beemer is going to need to hit some outside shots and play a very strong defensive game to come away with the win Friday night.

A lot of these girls were freshmen and sophomores when the Cadets played Neumann two years ago, and I think that experience is only going to help West Point-Beemer Friday night.

I think this is the Cadets' best chance to win out of the 3 District Finals they've made in the past 4 years.

Will the 3rd time be the charm for West Point-Beemer Friday night? I sure hope so.

The game should be a lot of fun and there should be a lot of excitement around the contest.

I look for the Cadets to play well, and really push and compete with the Warriors.

West Point-Beemer can definitely win, but it won't be easy.

Wahoo is a great team. However, if the Warriors aren't hitting from the outside then that could really benefit the Cadets.

West Point-Beemer has to defend the perimeter tightly, and play the post tough down low as well.

Wahoo has the height advantage over the smaller Cadets, but if West Point-Beemer can play harder and smarter they could very well be cutting down the nets to go to Lincoln.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the Bull.

GACC Boys lose regular season finale to Winnebago, fall to Pender in Sub-Districts; Girls beat Clarkson/Leigh in Sub-District Final

The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys Basketball Team lost 80-64 at home to Winnebago to end the regular season Friday night before falling 60-50 in overtime to Pender in the D1-4 Sub-District Semifinals at Wisner-Pilger Tuesday night.

The Indians led the Bluejays 17-15 after one, and outscored GACC 23-9 in the 2nd quarter to take a 40-24 lead into the locker room.

Winnebago won the 3rd quarter 21-16 to extend the lead to 61-40 at the end of three.

The Bluejays won the 4th quarter 24-19.

Landon Stalp had a team-high 23 points and 9 rebounds while Casey Doernemann had 12 points and 10 rebounds, good enough for a double-double. Jared Minnick added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The Bluejays raced out to a 13-7 lead at the end of one before the Pendragons outscored GACC 21-14 in the 2nd quarter to go up 28-27 at halftime.

Both teams scored 9 points in the 3rd quarter, and the score after 3 was 37-36 in favor of Pender.

The Bluejays won the 4th quarter 13-12 to tie the game at 49 and sent it into OT.

The Pendragons outlasted GACC 11-1 in the extra session.

Stalp had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds while Bryant Rief registered 12 points. Doernemann notched 8 points and 7 rebounds while Minnick totaled 7 points and 8 rebounds.

I thought the Bluejays might keep their season going Tuesday night, but Pender had other ideas.

GACC ends the year at 3-18.

Not a typical Bluejay like year, but GACC had a first year head coach and lost a lot of players last year.

The Bluejays ended the year on a 12-game losing streak, not winning a game in the 2018 portion of their schedule.

I thought GACC played better basketball towards the end of the season though.

The Bluejays graduate just two players in Rief and Derek Petz.

Key returners include Minnick, Stalp, Doernemann, Hunter Uhing, Adam Reeson, and Josh Wordekemper.

I think GACC will be much improved next season.

With a full year of offseason growth and development the Bluejays should be primed to get back to their winning ways next season.

GACC has to play the sport as much as possible between now and November though.

Next season starts today, and the more basketball the Bluejays play the better they are going to be next year.

I'm sure a lot of these players are involved in spring sports like baseball and track, but devoting proper time to basketball once spring sports are over is going to be key, in my opinion.

GACC has to also lift as much as possible this offseason.

Participating in open gyms, team camps, summer leagues, and summer camps are all important for the returning players and newcomers I would say.

The returning players and newcomers have to be active and busy this summer, and must continue to develop as well rounded student athletes.

The Bluejays have to be gym rats, and have to urge Coach Stieren to open the gym for them a lot.

Getting good participation numbers in summer lifting and team activities is going to be very critical to the success of GACC next season and beyond, in my opinion.

The Bluejays have to work hard, and get more skilled, faster, bigger, and stronger.

GACC has to play with drive and determination this offseason.

The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls Basketball Team thwarted any hopes Clarkson/Leigh had of advancing to a District Final and making State as the Bluejays knocked off the Patriots 54-33 in the D1-4 Sub-District Final at Wisner-Pilger last Thursday night.

The Patriots led 9-8 at the end of the 1st quarter, but the Bluejays outscored Clarkson/Leigh 19-12 in the second frame to capture a 27-21 halftime lead.

GACC tripled up the Patriots 12-4 in the 3rd quarter to extend their lead to 39-25 at the end of three.

The Bluejays outscored Clarkson/Leigh 15-8 in the 4th quarter.

Lexis Haase led GACC with 25 points and 8 rebounds. Ally Plagge added 10 points and 8 rebounds while Marissa Hunke scored 7 points.

Head Coach Jerry Stracke says his team settled into the game after the 1st quarter. "I thought we were more relaxed, and we kind of settled down, and got into a groove. 1st quarter we were a little nervous I thought, played a little tight. And I thought as the game went along they did a lot better."

Stracke adds it was a strong defensive performance by his team. "I thought it was a great effort defensively by everybody. Clarkson has some great players, they're very good off the dribble. And I thought defensively we kind of shut that down a little bit. So I would have to give credit to everybody that was out on the floor."

GACC (19-6) takes on Weeping Water (17-8) in the D1-2 District Final at Wahoo Friday night.

The Indians topped Nebraska City Lourdes 47-38 in the D1-3 Sub-District Final at Raymond Central last Thursday night.

These two teams met in a District Final last year with the Bluejays winning handily, 59-18.

I look for this year's game to be similar to last year's.

GACC may not win by as much as they did last year, but I look for the Bluejays to win by at least 15 or 20.

GACC plays a very tough schedule and is battle tested, and I just don't know if Weeping Water has played the same caliber of teams.

Haase needs to have a gigantic game for the Bluejays as does Hunke and Angela Jansen.

More important than offense for GACC though is defense, in my opinion.

The Bluejays have to play in your face, suffocating defense to win this one rather handily I would say.

GACC should be able to make state even if they lose, but I don't anticipate the Bluejays having any problems Friday night.

GACC is a great team, and is having a great season, and I look for it to continue all the way to state next week.

The Bluejays are playing their best basketball at the right time, and are going to be tough for anyone to beat from here on out, that's for sure.

GACC has to play a complete game Friday night, and win big over the Indians.

It's looking like the Bluejays could get the 3 seed at the state tournament, but we'll have to wait and see how things all shake out.

GACC has to come ready to play Friday night, and I fully expect them to do just that.

I think you will see a very determined, aggressive, and motivated Bluejay team take the floor Friday night.

It should be fairly smooth sailing and another win for GACC.

Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.

A win ensures the Bluejays a trip to state for the 21st straight season.

BRLD Boys down Pender in regular season finale; beat Wakefield in Sub-Districts; Girls knock off Oakland-Craig in Sub-District Final

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team won 68-28 at Pender to end the regular season Friday night and 61-50 over Wakefield in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals at West Point-Beemer Tuesday night.

Very dominant win for the Wolverines Friday night, and a win is a win in the postseason as I'm sure BRLD will take it any way they can get it.

The Wolverines (22-2) take on Oakland-Craig (16-9) in the Sub-District Final Thursday night that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.

The Knights won 62-58 over Omaha Nation in the other semifinal Tuesday night.

BRLD beat Oakland-Craig 66-53 in Lyons on Friday, January 12th.

This figures to be a great and electric game between two really good teams.

Both teams should get up and down the floor and run, and make this an up tempo high scoring affair.

I think offense will be a plenty in this one, and feel both teams will put up a good amount of points.

I feel the Wolverines are stronger on defense though, and feel that could be the difference in the game.

That and I think BRLD has more overall talent and depth than the Knights.

Oakland-Craig is probably more experienced and seasoned across the board, which can come into play big time in the postseason, but the Wolverines are very quick, nifty, and athletic.

BRLD currently sits 5th in power points, but lose this one and I'm not so sure the Wolverines will make state.

It's do or die for BRLD at this point I would say.

I think the Wolverines need to win to keep their season going at this point.

If BRLD beats Oakland-Craig then they should have a good shot at a wildcard even if they were to lose a district final.

The Wolverines just have to keep winning though, and do what they've done pretty much the entire season.

BRLD has to run the floor, get out in transition, and come up with timely steals and turnovers.

I think the Wolverines have a great shot to win, but it won't be easy.

I think the key is slowing down other players besides Garrett Seagren.

He can get 30 or 40 just as long as the other guys don't get 15 or 20.

Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. on the Bull.

It should be a great game!

The BRLD Girls Basketball Team won 52-27 over Oakland-Craig in the C2-3 Sub-District Final at West Point-Beemer Thursday night.

The Wolverines went up 10-6 after one, and outscored the Knights 18-5 in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-11 lead into the locker room.

BRLD outscored Oakland-Craig 14-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 42-17 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 10 points in the 4th quarter.

Paige Peters led the way with 12 points while Vicki Gatzemeyer notched 8.

Great and impressive win for the Wolverines.

BRLD (21-4) takes on Stanton (22-3) in the C2-2 District Final at Wisner-Pilger Friday night.

The Mustangs won 46-39 over Howells-Dodge in the C2-4 Sub-District Final Thursday night.

Stanton beat BRLD 60-46 at home on January 20th, before the Wolverines downed the Mustangs 48-40 in double overtime in the East Husker Conference Tournament Semifinals on Thursday, February 1st in Stanton.

The Mustangs will likely make state either way, but a wildcard appears to be a stretch for the Wolverines.

This appears to be pretty much do or die for BRLD.

The Wolverines have to revert back to Lyons-Decatur Northeast's experience from two years ago.

Players like Sophia Henneman and Brandi Simonsen ought to play big roles in experience and leadership from that standpoint.

BRLD has to gear up and get ready for this huge game.

This is no doubt the biggest game of these players' lives.

All that hard work since they could dribble a basketball has come down to this one game, and this one moment.

All the blood, sweat, and tears put forth over the course of the offseasons and growing up is all for this game and this moment.

It's an opportunity to get to state and play in Lincoln, a dream some of these girls who haven't been there before would no doubt love to experience.

The Wolverines have to come out and start fast, and keep things close throughout the game.

As long as BRLD can stay within like 7 points the entire game they should be in good shape.

I think coming out and getting off to a strong start and setting the tone early is going to be huge for the Wolverines.

If BRLD can get a good lead I think they have a good chance to hang on to it.

Stanton isn't really built to come back from large deficits so if the Wolverines can get up by double digits or something like that, it could be an uphill battle for the Mustangs I would say.

Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. 

Oakland-Craig Boys beat Omaha Nation in Sub-Districts; Girls lose Sub-District Final to BRLD

The Oakland-Craig Boys Basketball Team edged Omaha Nation 62-58 in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals at West Point-Beemer Tuesday night.

Garrett Seagren finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while Kobe Benne and Wyatt Seagren notched 16 and 7 points, respectively.

Close game, but the Knights found a way to win, and that's all that matters this time of year.

Oakland-Craig (16-9) battles BRLD (22-2) in the Sub-District Final Thursday night that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Wolverines defeated Wakefield 61-50 in the first semifinal Tuesday night.

BRLD beat the Knights 66-53 in Lyons on January 12th.

I look for this game to be close and tight.

Garrett Seagren has to ball out for Oakland-Craig in this game.

He needs to have a Herculean like performance for the Knights to have a shot in this one.

I fully expect Oakland-Craig to push and give the Wolverines all they can handle and want.

The season is on the line for the Knights, and I totally expect Oakland-Craig to come out and play a great game.

BRLD may have more overall talent and athleticism than the Knights, but I think Oakland-Craig has more experience and is more seasoned than the Wolverines you could say.

The Knights have to stop dribble penetration from BRLD to have a shot in this one I would say.

It should be a good cat and mouse game between the two coaches who happen to be brothers...Cory Meyer of BRLD and Aaron Meyer of Oakland-Craig.

I think both teams will pick and choose their spots to get out and run, but play a halfcourt game as well.

I look for the Knights to try and control tempo, and outsmart the Wolverines.

To me this game comes down to the stars of each team.

Garrett Seagren and Benne against the likes of Lucas Vogt, Darwin Snyder, and Kenyan Lovejoy.

I feel BRLD has more weapons than Oakland-Craig, but am not sure if anyone is as great and as valuable to their team as Garrett Seagren is to the Knights.

He is the key to this game for Oakland-Craig, in my opinion, and needs to go absolute bonkers for the Knights to be able to win this one I would say.

Thursday night's game is set to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. on the Bull.

The winner gets either Battle Creek or Lutheran High Northeast in a District Final on Monday.

The Oakland-Craig Girls Basketball Team lost 52-27 to BRLD in the C2-3 Sub-District Final at West Point-Beemer Thursday night.

The Wolverines went up 10-6 after one, and outscored the Knights 18-5 in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-11 lead into the locker room.

BRLD outscored Oakland-Craig 14-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 42-17 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 10 points in the 4th quarter.

Makenna Pearson led the way with 11 points and 9 rebounds while Natalia McNeill recorded 7 points.

Hard to lose a game like this knowing what could of been with two healthy stars.

Oakland-Craig ends the season at 12-11.

The Knights were on a roll and doing great things until Kennedy Benne tore her ACL.

Oakland-Craig had just beat Stanton right before she went down.

Other big wins this season came over Malcolm and Omaha Nation (twice).

Everyone returns for the Knights next season though, and that is the great news.

I look for Oakland-Craig to be one of the best teams in C-2 and in Northeast Nebraska next season, hands down.

Assuming Benne and Dacey Nelson come back strong from injury, I really think the Knights have a shot to win state next year.

Oakland-Craig has to play lots of ball this offseason though.

Between Volleyball and Basketball and Track or whatever other sports these girls play, they have to get after it big time.

The Knights have to really think about how they want their year to go and what they want it to be like.

Oakland-Craig has to wake up everyday dreaming big and ready to tackle the day.

The Knights have to give an all out effort in everything they do this offseason, and really get after things.

Benne and Nelson have to try and get back to normal when they can start doing stuff again.

It's tough, but they can't think about getting hurt again or what could happen.

The duo has to really put this team on their shoulders next year, and get ready for a title run.

This team has the potential to be a great team next year, one that will be remembered in Oakland-Craig lore forever, so the Knights have to really take things seriously this offseason.

Oakland-Craig has to put the time in, and work as hard as possible on the court and in the weightroom.

The Knights have to get bigger, faster, and stronger to be an even better team with their full compliment of players next season.

Winnebago Boys win at GACC to end regular season; defeat Norfolk Catholic in Sub-Districts

The Winnebago Boys Basketball Team knocked off Guardian Angels Central Catholic 80-64 on the road Friday night before winning 68-55 over Norfolk Catholic in the C1-5 Sub-District Semifinals at Norfolk High Tuesday night.

The Indians led the Bluejays 17-15 after one, and outscored GACC 23-9 in the 2nd quarter to take a 40-24 lead into the locker room.

Winnebago won the 3rd quarter 21-16 to extend the lead to 61-40 at the end of three.

The Bluejays won the 4th quarter 24-19.

Ed Payer set a new school record with 10 3's and had 36 points on the night.

Winnebago led the Knights 42-22 at halftime. Norfolk Catholic outscored the Indians 33-26 in the 2nd half.

Two good wins for Winnebago as they try and make state for the 4th year in a row.

The Indians (19-5) take on Pierce (10-12) in the Sub-District Final Thursday night.

The Bluejays upset Wayne 40-29 in the other Sub-District Semifinal Tuesday night.

I think Pierce could give Winnebago a game, but I think the Indians will be too strong and too much for the Bluejays.

Right now Winnebago sits 2nd in power points in Class C-1, and is in a good position to make state, but if they lose to Pierce, and Battle Creek loses to Lutheran High Northeast, then it could be interesting.

Reason being a loss by the Braves drops them a division and a loss to the Bluejays would really hurt the Indians' power points.

Win the sub-district final, and lose the district final to Boone Central/Newman Grove or Broken Bow and Winnebago should still make it to state with a wildcard.

Of course I'm sure the Indians would just assume win their way into state by winning a sub-district and district title, like they've done the other 3 times they've made state.

Winnebago has had a tendency to start fast, and get out to a big lead, and then let teams come back and make games closer than they should over these last couple of games.

The Indians have to turn in dominant performances from start to finish like they did at the beginning of the season.

If Winnebago is to do anything at state that is definitely something the Indians are going to need to do, in my opinion.

Winnebago has to come out and put up a big dent in the scoreboard Thursday night, and take Pierce out of the game early.

The Indians are great, and can do big things at state this year I would say, but Winnebago has to finish off opponents better in the 2nd half.

I'm sure some of that is due to playing backups, but still the Indians have to be more dominant in the second half of games they lead big.

You just don't want to get into the habit of letting teams come back on you in the second half of games.

That will eventually comeback to bite and haunt you.

Thursday night's game between Winnebago and Pierce is set to tip-off at 6:00 p.m.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

I would suggest getting there early as there could be a pretty big crowd.

North Bend Central Boys top Fort Calhoun in regular season finale, down Columbus Lakeview in Sub-Districts

The North Bend Central Boys Basketball Team ended the regular season strong Friday night with a 69-23 home win over Fort Calhoun before defeating Columbus Lakeview 57-51 in the C1-7 Sub-District Semifinals at Columbus High Tuesday night.

The Tigers went up 20-7 on the Pioneers at the end of one before outscoring Fort Calhoun 30-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 50-15 lead into the locker room.

North Bend Central outscored the Pioneers 15-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 65-21 at the end of three.

The Tigers doubled up Fort Calhoun 4-2 in the 4th quarter.

Tanner Wietfeld led North Bend Central with 23 points while John Emanuel scored 18. Jaxon Wietfeld and Austin Endorf registered 8 apiece.

The Vikings led 21-19 midway through the 2nd quarter and 25-24 at halftime.

The Tigers won the 3rd quarter 21-17 to lead 45-42 at the end of three.

North Bend Central won the 4th quarter 12-9.

Dominating performance from North Bend Central Friday night. The Tigers need another performance like that Thursday night.

North Bend Central (21-3) takes on David City Aquinas (14-9) in the Sub-District Final Thursday night.

The Monarchs knocked off Columbus Scotus 42-25 in the other semifinal Tuesday night.

Aquinas has lost to some good teams this year, and is a pretty respectable team, in my opinion.

It won't be easy for the Tigers to win, but there's no doubt they can do it.

I actually look for North Bend Central to win this one.

The path is pretty clear cut for the Tigers....win your sub-district final and district final and reach state, or lose one of those games and head home without a state berth.

There is no wildcard possibility for North Bend Central this year so the Tigers have to keep winning or their season is over.

North Bend Central has to be determined and focused Thursday night, and must take it to the Monarchs for 4 quarters.

The Tigers have to play better than they did against the Vikings Tuesday night.

North Bend Central was definitely challenged in that game, and must step up their game in order to knock off Aquinas.

The Monarchs are definitely battle tested and have played tough teams so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Aquinas has a couple of huge recent wins over Lutheran High Northeast and Centennial so the Monarchs have to be considered for real.

The Tigers have to get out and run, and hit 3's in their transition game.

Both teams like to get up and down the floor so it should be an interesting battle.

The winner gets Lincoln Christian or Milford in a District Final so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

I think best case scenario for North Bend Central is win and play the Eagles in a District Final.

The Tigers can definitely beat the Crusaders, in my opinion, but I would like North Bend Central's chances better against Milford than I would Lincoln Christian.

Thursday's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 p.m.