North Bend Central Girls heading to State for first time since 2013

The North Bend Central Girls Basketball Team is heading to State for the first time since 2013 as the Tigers won 46-29 over Grand Island Central Catholic in the C1-7 Sub-State Final from Cross County Thursday night.

The Tigers led 7-6 after one, and 21-20 at halftime after both teams scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter.

North Bend Central then outscored the Crusaders 25-9 in the 2nd half, including 10-2 in the 3rd quarter to lead 31-21 at the end of three.

Head Coach Aaron Sterup says his team was able to pull away in the second half. "I think we wore them down a little bit. They were getting a little frustrated and we were able to take advantage of that. I think we came out in the second half and jumped on them early which really got us going."

The Tigers (19-7) take on Wahoo Neumann (20-3) in the first round of State Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Devaney Center.

The Cavaliers won 44-29 over Omaha Roncalli in the C1-2 District Final from Elkhorn South Friday night.

Neumann is always at state and is a very tough team.

Sterup says his team simply has to play their game and not get caught up in the moment. "We need to handle the pressure not only from their side, but from the experience of playing in that atmosphere. We have done a good job lately in not getting overly anxious in big moments. We need to make sure we do that again. We will need to be strong on both ends and take care of the ball. I think if we can rebound and limit our turnovers, we can keep ourselves in the game and give ourselves a chance."

The whole awe of being at State could definitely impact these players while they're on the court, but hopefully that evaporates quickly after North Bend Central takes the floor for warmups.

Neumann is a very good team, led by the likes of Kelsie Cada and Lindsey Thiele, who each average 12 points per game.

Taylor Stuhr averages 8 points a contest.

Megan Ortmeier leads the Tigers in scoring at 11 a game while Lauren Emanuel averages 10.

Both of these teams are really tall and athletic so I think it's important for North Bend Central to stay out of foul trouble.

Sterup says it's exciting times at NBC. "Kids are very excited. The school and community is as well, especially because we are sending boys and girls for the first time. It is going to be a fun couple of weeks around here."

The boys beat Mitchell 64-51 in the C1-4 Sub-State Final from Lexington Monday night.

"The girls have been working on this dream for a long time. I am glad they have the opportunity to experience it," Sterup said.

It has been a great season for the Tigers, and it continues on Thursday.

I want to wish North Bend Central the best of luck at State and hope they win in the first round so we can cover them on Friday.

Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. at the Devaney Center.

Oakland-Craig Girls heading to State for 2nd time in School History

Oakland-Craig met Hartington Cedar Catholic in the C2-4 girls sub-state basketball championship in South Sioux City heard on 107.9 The Bull Friday night.

The game was tied 7-7 early, before the Knights pulled away for a 15-9 lead after the first quarter.

Both teams scored 10 points in the second quarter, and Oakland-Craig led 25-19 at the half.

Dacey Nelson, who did not play the entire second period due to foul trouble, re-entered the game in the third, and scored 11 points, including a trio of three pointers, as the Knights scored 19 as a team and took a 44-33 lead into the fourth.

The Trojans outscored the Knights in the fourth, but Oakland-Craig was able to make free throws down the stretch, and the final score favored the Knights 57-49, sending them to the state tournament for just the second time in school history.

Kennedy Benne scored 27 points to lead Oakland-Craig, while Nelson ended up with 19.

Head Coach Joe Anderson. "The game just didn't have a lot of flow. A lot of fouls both ways. And it was called pretty tight and we had to adjust to that. But part of the problem was Dacey I think she played maybe two minutes the whole first half. And I felt really good at halftime, we're up 6 and she hadn't hardly played. So credit the other girls for really stepping up on the defensive end and slowing them down."

Anderson adds the Trojans made things difficult on his team. "Cedar's got a lot of great athletes, they're state volleyball runners up this year, and they got a lot of length, and make it hard to move the ball around. So once we started using a few more ball fakes and attacking the glass a little bit more we did a better job."

The Knights (21-3) battle Ponca (23-3) in the first round of State at Lincoln Southwest Thursday afternoon.

The Indians won 62-37 over Elm Creek in the C2-5 Sub-State Final from Seward Friday night.

Anderson says Ponca is a very tough team. "They're just a very well coached team. Coach Hayes has done a great job with them, he does every year. They are just a group that plays extremely hard. You turn on the film and are just really impressed. They're very aggressive. They play an aggressive style of defense that really tries to get you out of rhythm. They're very athletic, they rebound very well. And they're just really sound. They really like to go to the basket on offense, and just create a lot of mismatch problems because they have some girls that can kind of play inside, outside, and just given you a lot of headaches on both sides."

Of course these two teams met two years ago in a District Final with Ponca drilling a late 3 to eventually win the game.

You can bet that will be on the minds of these Oakland-Craig players as they take to the court Thursday afternoon.

This should be a close game and a heck of a battle, but I think the Knights will win.

I just feel playing a tougher schedule and having players like Nelson and Benne gives Oakland-Craig the advantage.

It should still be a very close, tight, and intense ball game though.

I fully expect things to be very physical.

Nelson and Benne need to go off for the Knights.

This is Oakland-Craig's chance to do something big in the State Tournament, and the Knights have to go out there and make things happen.

Anything can happen at State, and Oakland-Craig can't sell themselves short of believing they can win the whole thing.

Upsets and other things happen all the time, but the thing the Knights have to do is control what they can control and play their game.

Oakland-Craig can't worry about what happens in other games, the Knights just have to be focused on themselves.

Oakland-Craig is the first game in C-2 so won't have to react to any potential upset or upsets beforehand.

It's win or go home for the Knights on Thursday.

Win Thursday and you are guaranteed 3 games over the weekend. Lose and you are done.

Game time is set for 2:00 p.m., and the game can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

West Point-Beemer Girls heading to Lincoln for first time ever

For the first time ever since the school merger, the West Point-Beemer Girls basketball team is going to the state tournament.

West Point Public made state just once, earning a runner-up in 1977 in Class D, and Beemer made it once in 1999.

The Cadets met O’Neill for the C1-4 Sub-State final at Norfolk High on Thursday night, in a game heard on 107.9 The Bull.

Things looked bleak early, as the Eagles raced to an 18-5 lead after the first quarter.

The Cadets chipped away in the second quarter and found themselves trailing by just five at the half, 26-21.

Fueled by a late quarter three pointer and back-to-back free throws from Brooklyn Weddle, West Point-Beemer scored 17 points in the third quarter and led 38-36 heading into the fourth.

It was all Cadets from there, as they would go on to beat O’Neill by a final score of 53-43.

“They played great defense on us to start, and we just talked about improving our full court defense and it helped create a few things and gave us a little spark,” head coach Taylor Shepard said.

Shepard, in just her first as head coach, described the moment.

“It’s absolutely a sweet feeling to be able to go to state,” Shepard said. “Obviously it’s been a while, so we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Sidney Swanson had 17 points for the Cadets, with Weddle and Sierra Kile each adding 9.

What an amazing moment and night for West Point-Beemer. History was made on this night.

The Cadets (23-2) battle Lincoln Christian (17-8) in the first round of State Thursday morning at the Devaney Center.

The Crusaders won 41-36 over Broken Bow in the C1-5 Sub-State Final from Grand Island Northwest Friday night.

Shepard on the matchup. "The Crusaders bring a great deal of history to the state tournament-they have a storied past, and many appearances. However, we bring energy and passion that makes it a fun matchup between two good teams. They are a team that has a strong inside presence, along with great guards. It will be a fun challenge for us, and one that we are looking forward to."

This is a toss up game and a game that I feel could truly go either way.

Shepard says Lincoln Christian is a well rounded team. "Yeah they have a really solid post presence with Olivia Hollenbeck. She's a 6'4 junior, averages 17 points and I think 8 boards per game, so that will obviously be a good challenge for us, but our girls have really been stepping up their rebounding game as of late. Then they also have some quick guards and some shooters as well. So it's really going to come down to who can stick to their game plan and execute. We want to keep it going at a fast pace. And I think they do as well. So it should be a great start to the State Tournament, a fun game."

West Point-Beemer has definitely been more consistent this year, but Lincoln Christian is battle tested and has a lot of State Tournament Experience.

Shepard is familiar with the Crusaders' program, having played there in high school. "It will be fun to see how our teams match up, and I believe Nick (Coach Orduna) and I have similar coaching styles. However, the primary focus this week has been that of preparing for any other opponent. There has been some light banter between he and I this week, but we both know that the other is going to give their very best shot."

The Cadets can't get caught up in the moment and atmosphere at state and have that Deer in the Headlights look.

West Point-Beemer has to take it all during warmups and get ready to play the game.

There has to be so much excitement around this game at the school and in the communities.

Shepard says her team isn't satisfied with just making state. "The support we have had from the community has been an incredibly unique experience. We have greatly appreciated how the community has encouraged us this week. For the team, we have been talking about making it to, and winning, state since I first met the girls--it is fun to see their dedication pay off. This is a special group of girls, who hold each other accountable to reach their full potential, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do that this weekend. While it is a great accomplishment to be going to state, we are not satisfied with just making it there, but want to make waves while we are there!"

It's a huge deal and real special time for the Cadets, and I fully expect West Point-Beemer to play a great game Thursday morning.

It's a big deal for the Cadets to even be at State, but I feel West Point-Beemer has a legit shot to make Championship Saturday if they can get past the Crusaders.

I feel the winner of this game could very well play in the State Championship on Saturday.

The Cadets wouldn't see either Wahoo School until Saturday so West Point-Beemer is definitely on the good side of the bracket.

I really think this new Sub-State format has benefited the Cadets.

In the past, West Point-Beemer has been matched up with the likes of Norfolk Catholic, Wahoo Neumann, and Wahoo in a District Final, and those teams were and are always very tough.

Now the Cadets have an opportunity to show what they can do on the big stage and make a name for themselves.

Coach Shepard being a former Lincoln Christian player adds to this game as well.

There's been a lot of build up and storylines heading into this game, and I'm very excited to see how things turn out and unfold.

Tip-off is set for 9:00 a.m. on 107.9 the Bull.

Clarkson/Leigh Girls end season with Sub-State loss to Blue Hill

The season came to a close for the Clarkson/Leigh Girls Basketball Team Friday night as the Patriots lost 41-25 to Blue Hill in the C2-8 Sub-State Final at York.

The Bobcats doubled up Clarkson/Leigh 8-4 in the 1st quarter. Both teams scored 6 points in the 2nd quarter, and the score was 14-10 at halftime in favor of Blue Hill.

The Bobcats won the 3rd quarter 7-5 to go up 21-15 at the end of three.

Blue Hill doubled up the Patriots 20-10 in the 4th quarter.

Head Coach Matt Murren sums up the loss. "It was a tight game throughout the entire game, never more than a 6 point game until about 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Defensively, we played fantastic and really executed our game plan well. We made any and all baskets for Blue Hill tough. Everyone wanted it so bad and played their hearts out on that court. I couldn't have been more proud of their effort. Unfortunately we didn't hit many shots that night and that is a credit to Blue Hill's defense. We could never get in a groove offensively and couldn't get a shot to go to get in a rhythm. The 4th quarter started as a 21-15 game and we had 5 or 6 defensive stops but just couldn't get the ball to go in on the offensive end. Unfortunately, in basketball you have nights like that and for us, it happened in the sub-state final. The final score doesn't indicate how close the game actually was as we started to foul with about 3 minutes left to try to extend the game."

Clarkson/Leigh ends a great season at 21-4.

The Patriots have to be saddened and disappointed they didn't make state, but I felt like Clarkson/Leigh did everything they could of this year, and maximized their potential.

The season opening win over Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family and the comeback win over the Bulldogs in the East Husker Conference Tournament were victories to remember for sure, and wins over BRLD, Humphrey St. Francis, Pender, Twin River, twice over Stanton, and Battle Creek were big wins also.

Clarkson/Leigh says goodbye to a very talented senior class, including Hannah Kasik, Beth Wiese, Kaegan Held, Halee Steffensmeier, and Paige Moore.

These five meant so much to Patriot Basketball, and will be sorely missed.

Key returners include Kim Stodola, Ashlynn Novotny, Cassidy Hoffman, Alyssa Kasik, and Reagan Settje.

Murren says it was a season to remember. "This was the greatest season that we've had as a Patriot basketball program. The season didn't end the way that anyone wanted it to but the girls have a lot to be proud of and hold their heads high about. Going 21-4 with the schedule that we play is impressive and a credit to the girls. Finishing 3rd in our conference tournament (one of the toughest conferences in the state), winning sub-districts and getting to sub-state is a great year for any program. I am extremely proud to say that I was able to coach these 26 kids and watch them grow as a team throughout the whole year."

It was definitely a special season. The moment with Moore and her sister making that three pointer was truly inspiring and incredible.

Murren adds the senior class in particular was special and meant a lot. "This year's senior class put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to help build our program. They put in the time in the off-season to get better. We had multiple 3 and 4 year starters on this team that were seniors so they were a part of some tough seasons early on in their career and successful ones later in career. This group won each season from freshman to senior: 4, 9, 14, and then 21 games in their careers. That shows improvement and commitment to buying in what we wanted to as coaches and continually getting better each year. As a coach, that is what we wanted to see and seen the potential and it was great for them to have so much success their senior years. They were a fun group of seniors that will definitely be missed."

He adds this season put Clarkson/Leigh Girls Basketball on the map. "It's always nice to be recognized as a great program, that is any coaches goal. In all honesty, this year may have helped make a name for ourselves but our team's play has always been the same. We constantly talk about playing with relentless effort and going 100%. Those are the things that we can control as players and coaches and that's what I am most proud of. The girls played their hearts out all season and that means everything."

I think the Patriots will only build off this season and be a team to be reckoned with in the future as the next step is to make the State Tournament.

Murren says this season gives Clarkson/Leigh a big building block heading into the future. "This season was a great season. We've now had back to back winning seasons for the first time in program history and look to continue that. That is what we have been working on building as we continue to improve each year. The foundation has been laid, kids have experienced some success and should be hungry for more now. It'll be important that we continue to work hard on getting into the gym, working on our individual games in the off-season, and continue competing."

It's going to take a lot of hard work, determination, and dedication for returning players and newcomers to continue this great run this year's seniors had.

Emerson-Hubbard Boys win Sub-District Final over Homer, lose to Elm Creek in Sub-State Final

The Emerson-Hubbard Boys Basketball Team won 58-35 over Homer in the D1-4 Sub-District Final from Ponca Thursday night before losing 50-40 to Elm Creek in the D1-1 Sub-State Final at Cross County Monday night to end the season.

The Pirates led the Knights 11-10 after one before outscoring Homer 21-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 32-18 lead into the locker room.

Emerson-Hubbard won the 3rd quarter 10-8 to extend their lead to 42-26 at the end of three.

The Pirates outscored the Knights 16-9 in the 4th quarter.

Nolan Belt had a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds while Jacob Kneifl notched 18 points and 11 rebounds, also good enough for a double-double. Hunter Schock added 9 points.

The Buffaloes went up 14-9 at the end of one, and won the 2nd quarter 13-11 to lead 27-20 at halftime.

Elm Creek won the 3rd quarter 8-6 to go up 35-26 at the end of three.

The Buffaloes won the 4th quarter 15-14.

Belt led the way with 19 points and 8 rebounds while Kneifl added 11 points and 8 rebounds.

Great run the Pirates made to end the season, going 4-3 in their last seven games.

Emerson-Hubbard ends the year at 9-16.

Good season for the Pirates all things considered, and especially considering where they were at the past couple of years.

I think Emerson-Hubbard has to be pretty happy with what they did this year, winning their Sub-District and getting to a Sub-State game and all.

The Pirates would have loved to have made the State Tournament I'm sure, but now that's a goal and a dream Emerson-Hubbard can pursue next year.

Belt averaged 15 points on the season to lead the team while Kneifl averaged 12, and Spencer Burcham 7.

Rebounding wise, Belt was the leader with 10 a game while Kneifl averaged 7.

Kneifl and Burcham are lost to graduation.

These two played a big role for Emerson-Hubbard this year and in years past, and will be sorely missed without a doubt.

Key returners include Belt, Schock, Mason Hall, Drake Steele, Zach Shanks, and Garrett Blanke.

I think the future is very bright for the Pirates, and feel the sky is the limit for these Emerson-Hubbard kids.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates made Sub-State again and advanced to State next year.

It's going to take a lot of hard work, determination, effort, toughness, and sacrifice to make it happen, but it definitely can.

Emerson-Hubbard was 11 points short of beating the No. 1 seed in D-1 at Sub-State, and I feel that gives the Pirates a lot of momentum heading into next year.

Of course it's no consolation to Kneifl and Burcham, who won't have the opportunity to be a part of things as players next year.

Their high school careers are over, and I wish both the best of luck in their future endeavors.

For the returning players and newcomers it's about making the most of your opportunity as student athletes.

Excelling on the court and in the classroom is very important, and you only get four years in high school.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Boys lose to North Bend Central in Sub-District Final

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Boys Basketball Team lost 39-31 to North Bend Central in the C1-6 Sub-District Final from Oakland-Craig Thursday night.

The Raiders led 6-4 at the end of one before the Tigers doubled them up 16-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 20-14 lead into the locker room.

North Bend Central doubled up LVSS 8-4 in the 3rd quarter to go up 28-18 at the end of three.

The Raiders won the 4th quarter 13-11.

Connor Larson had 15 points while Trystain Roseberry notched 8.

Great game and effort by Logan View/Scribner-Snyder. The Raiders certainly gave the Tigers all they could handle.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder ends the season at 15-10.

Good season for the Raiders, who were young this year.

LVSS picked up big wins over Oakland-Craig, Wayne, Omaha Brownell Talbot, Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, and twice over West Point-Beemer.

Larson and Roseberry were the team's leading scorers, averaging 12 points a game.

Riley Hoetfelker averaged 7, and Roseberry was the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6 rebounds per game.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder says goodbye to Nathan Wacker and Austin Peters.

These two were very valuable members of the team, and will be missed greatly without a doubt.

The Raiders have to be excited about next year though given who all returns.

Key returners for next year include Roseberry, Larson, Hoetfelker, Garrett Kriete, Jake Hagerbaumer, Brett Uhing, and Jayden Korman.

I look for LVSS to be really good next year and even better the year after.

The Raiders have to get after it this offseason, and really working on improving overall and as a whole.

I feel the sky is the limit for these kids and what can they can do.

I look for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder to build off the North Bend Central loss and the entire season as a whole.

I fully expect the Raiders to come back strong next year, and have a good and nice season.

I wouldn't be surprised if LVSS made Sub-State next year and advanced to State.

The Raiders have a lot of work to do in the offseason to make that happen, but it definitely can.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has to take part in as many summer leagues, summer camps, open gyms, and weightlifting sessions as possible in the offseason.

The Raiders have to get after it this offseason, and get ready to make a big run next season.

The sooner LVSS gets to work, the better.

Winnebago Boys lose to Norfolk Catholic in Sub-Districts

The Winnebago Boys Basketball Team fell 64-51 to Norfolk Catholic in the C1-7 Sub-District Semifinals from Norfolk High Tuesday night to end the season.

Tough way for the Indians to go out being the number one seed and all.

Winnebago ends the year at 10-10.

It was very much an up and down season for the Indians.

Winnebago started a little slow then played their best basketball in the middle of the season before kind of tapering off at the end.

I'm sure the Indians are disappointed not to return to Lincoln this year, but State isn't meant to be achieved every single year.

Winnebago says goodbye to TJ Frenchman and Raul Loera Jr.

The Indians will miss these two guys without a doubt.

Key returners for Winnebago next year include Javon Price, Jeriah Greyowl, Ed Payer, Jarius Bass-Earth, and Willy Wingett.

Frenchman is a huge loss, but the Indians have to be excited about next year's team given who all returns.

Winnebago has to do what they always do, which is play the game as often as possible throughout the course of the offseason.

The Indians have to play the game late into the evening at the outdoor court in town and get in the school gym as often as possible.

Winnebago has take part in as many open gyms, summer camps, summer leagues, and weightlifting sessions as possible.

The Indians have to get to work this offseason, and help get this program back to the elite level it was at just last year.

Winnebago can definitely have a nice season and make state next year, but they have to put the time in over the summer.

The Indians have to prepare for next season as soon as they can, and live and breathe the sport like I'm sure they already do.

This season wasn't too bad for Winnebago, but I'm sure the Indians will be looking for bigger things next year.

Next season starts now for Winnebago.