West Point-Beemer Boys fall to Wayne in Sub-Districts; Girls drop Sub-State Final to North Bend Central

 

The West Point-Beemer Boys nearly pulled the upset of Wayne in last Tuesday night's C1-7 Sub-District Semifinals aired on 107.9 the Bull before falling 48-44.

In the first game, West Point-Beemer led Wayne 27-13 at halftime, but the Blue Devils outscored the Cadets 35-17 in the second half on their way to the comeback win.

Keegan Doggett had 13 points for WP-B and Miguel Perez added 11.

Outstanding effort from the Cadets. I honestly thought they were going to spring the upset.

West Point-Beemer ends the season at 9-14.

The Cadets say goodbye to Manny Barrgan, Jesus Barragan, Scott Kienbaum, Drake Repschlaeger, and Zach Vander Griend.

These are a handful of very talented kids that will be sorely missed.

West Point-Beemer returns a lot of key pieces for next year though in Doggett, Perez, Riley Penrose, Grayson Meyer, Jaylen Kile, and Treven Weddle.

I think the Cadets have a chance to be pretty good next year.

West Point-Beemer lost a lot of close games this past season that easily could have been wins.

The Cadets have to work very hard this offseason to make sure those close games go the way they want them to next year, but they can definitely do it.

West Point-Beemer has to dedicate themselves to the court and weightroom this summer, and improve, grow, and up their game as much as possible.

The West Point-Beemer and North Bend Central girls basketball teams met for the fourth time this season when they squared off for the C1-7 Sub-State Championship and a trip to state on Friday in North Bend, in a game aired on 107.9 The Bull.

NBC won a hard-fought game 40-29.

West Point-Beemer jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Tigers closed the first quarter strong to lead 11-10 after one.

A Cierra Kluthe three-pointer and a layup by Kaitlyn Emanuel just before the buzzer helped put NBC up 21-16 at halftime.

Sidney Swanson had 13 of the Cadets’ 16 first half points, with the other three belonging to Reece Snodgrass.

Both teams played tough defense and had a hard time scoring on offense in the third quarter, with both the Tigers and Cadets each adding six points. NBC led 27-22 after three periods.

Foul trouble plagued the Cadets in the fourth quarter, and NBC made nine free throws in the period. Sydney Emanuel scored eight points in the fourth for the Tigers and converted 6-8 shots from the line to help them outscore the Cadets 13-7 in the period.

Swanson had 20 of West Point-Beemer’s 29 points, with Snodgrass scoring eight and Rachel Groth adding a free throw.

The Cadets end their season at 19-6 overall.

It was another very memorable season for West Point-Beemer despite the fact they came up short of making State for the 3rd year in a row.

Swanson averaged 20 points a game on the season and led the team in total rebounds with 146. Groth was second on the team in rebounds with 142.

The Cadets say goodbye to Groth, Swanson, Brooklyn Weddle, and Snodgrass.

These five seniors will be sorely missed.

I'm sure West Point-Beemer is bummed they didn't make State, but being a part of two State Tournament Teams, including the first team to make State since the West Point and Beemer merger is something very special.

The Cadets return the likes of Jadyn Meiergerd, Emily Toelle, Katie Groth, and Emily Oligmueller.

I think West Point-Beemer has a chance to make another run next year and have a good season.

The Cadets lose a lot of talent, but return some key pieces as well.

West Point-Beemer has to be proud of what this Senior Class accomplished and the foundation they laid and established.

It's something I look for future Cadet teams to build off of for years to come.

GACC Girls beat Norfolk Catholic in Sub-State Final

 

The GACC Girls won 53-42 over Norfolk Catholic in the C2-3 Sub-State Final at home Friday night.

The Bluejays jumped out to a 16-9 lead at the end of the 1st quarter, and won the 2nd quarter 12-11 to take a 28-20 lead into the locker room.

The Knights won the 3rd quarter 18-17 to make it a 45-38 game at the end of three.

GACC doubled up Norfolk Catholic 8-4 in the 4th quarter.

Livia Hunke led the way with 11 points while Kassidy Kaup had 9. Brandi Doernemann and Isabel Hass totaled 8 apiece.

Total team effort and a great win for the Bluejays.

GACC (23-3) battles Ponca (19-4) in the first round of State at Lincoln Southeast Wednesday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Indians beat Cross County 28-23 in the C2-6 Sub-State Final at Logan View Friday night.

I look for the Bluejays to win this one.

GACC is without the services of Brenna Rief, who is out with a knee injury, but the Bluejays still have plenty of weapons.

I think playing as a team will be evermore important for GACC in this State Tournament.

I look for the Bluejays to find a way to get to the State Championship and face Crofton for the whole ball of wax.

I think it's pretty clear cut as to what GACC needs to do, and I feel the path is theirs for the taking.

Wednesday's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 p.m. on the Bull.

BRLD Girls down North Central in Sub-State Final

 

The BRLD Girls defeated North Central 54-42 in the C2-7 Sub-State Final at Battle Creek Friday night.

The Wolverines led 13-9 after one, and won the 2nd quarter 15-12 to take a 28-21 lead into the locker room.

BRLD won the 3rd quarter 17-15 to extend their lead to 45-36 at the end of three.

The Wolverines claimed the 4th quarter 9-6.

Caragan Tietz posted a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds while Jordan Snyder totaled 8 points and 8 rebounds. Aubrey Berg added 8 points.

The game was never really in doubt from the looks of it.

BRLD (20-4) takes on Wood River (24-2) in the first round of State at Lincoln Southeast on  Wednesday in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Eagles won 62-43 over South Loup in the C2-2 Sub-State Final at Wood River Friday night.

I think the Wolverines have a shot at the upset in this one.

I feel like the Eagles are a very good team and have been all season, but I think the tough schedule BRLD plays gives them a shot in this one.

I feel like this will be a good game, and the Wolverines have a much better chance of winning this year than they did in the first round against Crofton last year.

It would be pretty cool if GACC and BRLD met in the State Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday night.

It could very well happen too, but Wood River and Ponca are going to be tough, formidable foes.

The Wolverines have to be ready to go full tilt and bring it on Wednesday.

You can bet BRLD will be ready to go when that initial whistle sounds until the final whistle sounds.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the Bull.

North Bend Central Boys fall to Wahoo in Sub-District Final, lose to Omaha Concordia in Sub-State Final; Girls top West Point-Beemer in Sub-State Final

 

The North Bend Central Boys fell 78-66 to Wahoo in the C1-5 Sub-District Final at Wahoo Thursday night before losing 59-47 at Omaha Concordia in the C1-7 Sub-State Final Monday night.

The Tigers got up 29-16 at the end of one on the Warriors before Wahoo outscored NBC 22-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 38-37 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors won the 3rd quarter 20-15 to go up 58-52 at the end of three.

Wahoo claimed the 4th quarter 20-14.

The Tigers led the Mustangs 17-11 after one before Omaha Concordia outscored North Bend Central 21-5 in the 2nd quarter to take a 32-22 halftime lead.

Both teams scored 11 3rd quarter points, and the Mustangs led 43-33 at the end of three.

Omaha Concordia won the 4th quarter 16-14.

The Tigers were oh so close to making it back to State.

NBC ends the year at 18-6.

The Tigers have a lot to be proud of this year, but I'm sure North Bend Central is disappointed they didn't make State.

The Tigers say goodbye to Breckin Peters, Austin Taylor, and Jaxon Wietfeld.

Three very good and talented players lost to graduation.

North Bend Central returns Noah Post, Asher Endorf, Jordan Ondracek, Brodey Johnson, Zac Pospisil, and Kyler Hellbusch, among others.

The Tigers should still be very good next year, but they will be young.

North Bend Central has a lot of work to do in the offseason to sustain a high level of success.

It can definitely happen though with a lot of hard work and dedication on everyone's part.

The West Point-Beemer and North Bend Central girls basketball teams met for the fourth time this season when they squared off for the C1-7 Sub-State Championship and a trip to state on Friday in North Bend, in a game aired on 107.9 The Bull.

NBC won a hard-fought game 40-29.

West Point-Beemer jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Tigers closed the first quarter strong to lead 11-10 after one.

A Cierra Kluthe three-pointer and a layup by Kaitlyn Emanuel just before the buzzer helped put NBC up 21-16 at halftime.

Both teams played tough defense and had a hard time scoring on offense in the third quarter, with both the Tigers and Cadets each adding six points. NBC led 27-22 after three periods.

Foul trouble plagued the Cadets in the fourth quarter, and NBC made nine free throws in the period. Sydney Emanuel scored eight points in the fourth for the Tigers and converted 6-8 shots from the line to help them outscore the Cadets 13-7 in the period.

North Bend Central won the game to claim the C1-7 Sub-State title, and advance to next week’s Class C1 State Tournament in Lincoln.

Sydney Emanuel finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds for NBC, with Kaitlyn Emanuel adding 11 points and 10 rebounds, good enough for a double-double.

Sidney Swanson had 20 of West Point-Beemer’s 29 points, with Reece Snodgrass scoring eight and Rachel Groth adding a free throw.

Head Coach Aaron Sterup says his team stuck to the Cadet scorers like glue. "We really tried to help on defense less. We normally play a lot of help defense but they shoot so well we decided we were better off sticking with our person and not allowing set shots for 3. Luckily, we are quick enough defensively that we can stick with people pretty well."

Great effort and a great win for the defending C-1 State Champs.

The Tigers (21-3) take on Broken Bow (23-1) in the first round of State at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.

The Indians beat Columbus Scotus 31-21 in the C1-5 Sub-State Final at Grand Island Northwest Friday night.

The Tigers beat the Shamrocks 47-26 at home in the regular season.

I think North Bend Central is going to take this one.

Coach Sterup talks about the recipe for success. "Broken Bow has lots of athletes and are going to pressure us all over the court. We will need to handle pressure and look for opportunities to get easy baskets against it. "

The Indians are an up and coming program led by Kelly Cooksley.

Broken Bow will be tough, and the Tigers must be on top of their game.

Coach Sterup says his team believes they can repeat. "I think our team is fairly confident that they can do well again this year. They have the experience and confidence in their team that we can compete with anyone on any given night. Winning State obviously takes a lot of skill, but it also takes some luck and you need things to go your way. Hopefully those things will be on our side again this year."

I think North Bend Central definitely has what it takes to win State again.

I feel if the Tigers play together and as a team they will be very tough to beat.

Wednesday's game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. 

Winnebago Boys come up short against Logan View/Scribner-Snyder in Sub-Districts; Girls upset Malcolm at Sub-State

 

The Winnebago Boys fell 57-52 to Logan View/Scribner-Snyder in the C1-7 Sub-District Semifinals aired on 107.9 the Bull last Tuesday night.

LVSS led pretty much the entire way, and even pulled ahead by 15 points in the second half. Winnebago got hot from three point range in the fourth quarter and were able to close the gap, but the Raiders were able to prevail with the win.

Anthony Earth hit 7 three pointers and scored 33 points for the Indians.

Winnebago ends the year at 14-9.

The Indians played their best basketball in the second half of the season, getting on a roll late in the season.

That unfortunately did not translate into postseason success.

Winnebago says goodbye to Asaias Bernie, Caleb Kearnes, and Jarius Bass.

This team was relatively young though, and returns the likes of Kellen Crossbear, Earth, Javon Price, and Dyami Berridge.

I feel like the Indians have some nice up and coming talent, will be a force to be reckoned with once again next year.

I feel like Logan View/Scribner-Snyder's Senior Leadership was the difference in that game for the Raiders.

Winnebago will learn from it, and come back bigger, better, and stronger next year. I have no doubt about that.

The Winnebago Girls upset Malcolm 51-49 in the C1-1 Sub-State Final at Malcolm Friday night.

Keisha Snyder had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Indians, good enough for a double-double. Maddy Cleveland added 15.

Head Coach Treivan Bear says his team came through in the clutch. "Made big threes at crucial moments, our guards did a great job at boxing out- which got their big in foul trouble, overall all of the girls stepped up and made a huge impact during the game. "

The Indians punch their ticket to Lincoln for the first time since 1990.

Winnebago (15-10) takes on GICC (21-2) in the first round of State at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The Crusaders beat Louisville 38-30 in the C1-2 District Final at Crete Friday night.

I feel like the Indians have a chance to pull off the upset or at the very least keep this one close.

Winnebago has certainly made a very nice postseason run to the State Tournament.

The Indians hope they can keep it going this week too.

I think Winnebago can definitely do that.

Coach Bear says his team looks to create some havoc down in Lincoln. "Girls are very confident. Entering as the 8th seed, we don’t have anything to lose and everything to gain. At State anything can happen, I believe that they have what it takes to win it all."

I completely agree with Coach Bear.

The Indians know they can beat anyone they take the floor against.

I think Winnebago has already proven that this postseason.

I think the Indians will be fearless and unafraid of anyone, and could even put fear in their opponents.

Winnebago is a dangerous team coming into the State Tournament.

Coach Bear says making State is a big deal. "It’s big, it’s a huge deal here in our community. Especially, with everything going on in the world and how Covid has impacted our day to day life. We are happy that we were able to have the season that we did."

It will be interesting to see what happens.

Tekamah-Herman Boys knock off Omaha Brownell-Talbot in regular season finale, fall to GACC in Sub-Districts

 

The Tekamah-Herman Boys won 61-58 in OT at Omaha Brownell-Talbot in last Friday night's regular season finale before falling 50-48 to GACC in the C2-3 Sub-District Play-In Game at Oakland-Craig Monday night in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.

The Tigers got out to an 18-12 lead on the Raiders at the end of one, and won the 2nd quarter 9-8 to take a 27-20 lead into the locker room.

Brownell-Talbot outscored Tekamah-Herman 19-12 in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 39 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 13 4th quarter points, and the game was tied at 52 at the end of regulation.

The Tigers outlasted the Raiders 9-6 in the extra session.

Brock Rogers led the way with 26 points and 15 rebounds, good enough for a double-double. Wyatt Deemer added 17 points while Jed Hoover notched 9.

GACC took a 10-8 lead after the first quarter, and went on to lead 20-16 at halftime.

Tekamah-Herman came out strong in the second half, and outscored the Bluejays 15-11 in the third quarter. The game was tied 31-31 after three periods.

The teams fought each other back-and-forth throughout the fourth quarter. There were multiple ties and lead changes in the final period, but in the end, GACC was able to walk away with the win.

Rogers and Hoover scored 14 points apiece to lead Tekamah-Herman while Kaleb Quick totaled 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Valiant effort and strong finish to the season for the Tigers.

Tekamah-Herman ends their season at 7-15.

I thought the Tigers were vastly improved this year and narrowed the gap against the field of competition.

Rogers averaged 18 points a game this season while Hoover averaged 15.

Rogers was also the team's leading rebounder with 127 while Quick finished with 122.

Tekamah-Herman says goodbye to Dylan Chatt and Eldridge Jensen.

These two will be missed immensely, but the Tigers have a lot coming back next year.

Tekamah-Herman returns the likes of Rogers, Bret Brenneis, Deemer, Hoover, Drew Oligmueller, Noah Stahr, and Quick.

The Tigers should be very proud of what they accomplished this year.

I think Tekamah-Herman is definitely going to be a team to be reckoned with in the future for sure.

This should motivate the Tigers to work really hard and really get after it this offseason and heading into next year.

I look for Tekamah-Herman to be even more improved this year than they were last year.

Wisner-Pilger Boys beat Madison in regular season finale, fall to Clarkson/Leigh in Sub-Districts; Girls lose to Howells-Dodge in Sub-Districts

 

The Wisner-Pilger Boys defeated Madison 57-35 at home last Friday night in the regular season finale before falling 52-37 to Clarkson/Leigh in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals at Oakland-Craig Tuesday night.

The Gators led the Dragons 14-8 after one, and doubled up Madison 14-7 in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-15 lead into the locker room.

Wisner-Pilger won the 3rd quarter 10-9 to go up 38-24 at the end of three.

The Gators outscored the Dragons 19-11 in the 4th quarter.

The Patriots led 11-9 after one, and outscored the Gators 14-7 in the 2nd quarter to take a 26-16 lead into the locker room.

Clarkson/Leigh won the 3rd quarter 14-11 to go up 40-27 at the end of three.

The Patriots won the 4th quarter 12-10.

Wisner-Pilger ends the year at 9-14.

The Gators say goodbye to Rockney Peck, Regan Bellar, Klay Koehlmoos, and Tyler Kimble.

These four were incredible contributors for Wisner-Pilger this season and throughout their careers no doubt.

Key returners include Beau Ruskamp, Hunter Palmer, Jackson Knust, Spencer Batenhorst, Kyle Rehak, and Owen Heller.

The Gators had a coaching transition this past year with Chet Beckmann taking over for Duane Mendlik, the all-time winningest Basketball Coach in Nebraska High School Basketball History.

The Gators did some nice things this year, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Wisner-Pilger has to have a good summer and really get after it with the weights, conditioning, and on the court work.

The Wisner-Pilger Girls fell 59-48 to Howells-Dodge in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals from GACC last Tuesday night.

Both the Jaguars and Gators scored 13 points in the 1st quarter. Howells-Dodge outscored Wisner-Pilger 26-14 in the 2nd quarter to take a 39-27 lead into the locker room.

The Jaguars won the 3rd quarter 12-7 to extend their lead to 51-34 at the end of three.

The Gators won the 4th quarter 14-8.

Kennedie Ott and Emma Heller each had 9 points for the Gators, while Lindsey Kneifl scored 8.

Valiant effort from Wisner-Pilger.

The Gators end the season at 8-14.

I thought Wisner-Pilger improved from last year to this year and did a lot of nice things this season.

The Gators say goodbye to Macy Stuhr and Tymarie Ott.

Wisner-Pilger has a lot coming back, including Kennedie Ott, Adi Meyer, Kneifl, Cameryn Bellar, Heller, and Maggie Schweers.

The Gators will definitely miss their two departing seniors, but have to be excited about next year given who they all have returning.

Wisner-Pilger has to work extremely hard this offseason and improve in all aspects of the game.

The Gators have to pour out blood, sweat, and tears over the summer and be ready to take aim at things next season.