Stanton Boys fall to Howells-Dodge in Sub-Districts

 

The Stanton Boys lost 61-44 to Howells-Dodge in the D1-3 Sub-District Semifinals at Humphrey Tuesday night.

Howells-Dodge went up 13-8 after one on the Mustangs before outscoring Stanton 23-11 in the 2nd quarter to take a 36-19 lead into the locker room.

Both teams scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter, and the Jaguars led 53-36 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 8 points in the 4th quarter.

Valiant effort from the Mustangs. The loss doesn't look so bad after the Jaguars upset Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family in the Sub-District Final.

Stanton ends the season at 6-16.

The Mustangs say goodbye to Brennan Wragge, Matthew Reese, Mason Bruggeman, and Ian Schulzkump.

Key returners include Adam Arens, Abe Larson, Parker Krusemark, Kam Dusatko, Joe Butterfield, Brayan Acuna, Owen Vogel, and Thomas Cunningham.

There were some bright spots for Stanton this year, including the win over the Wolfpack in the regular season finale.

Definitely something to build off of heading into next year.

The Seniors will be sorely missed without a doubt, but with many Seniors-to-be returning next season Stanton should be a force to be reckoned with for sure.

The Mustangs need a good offseason of growth and improvement, and must work hard.

Tri County Northeast Boys drop regular season finale to Stanton, beat Omaha Nation, lose to BRLD in Sub-Districts; Girls fall to Plainview in Sub-Districts

 

The Tri County Northeast Boys lost 48-47 at home to Stanton in Friday night's regular season finale before winning 67-46 over Omaha Nation in the C2-4 Sub-District Play-In Game at Lyons Monday night only to fall 68-40 to BRLD in the C2-4 Sub-District Semifinals at Lyons Tuesday night.

The Wolfpack led the Mustangs 10-9 after one, and outscored Stanton 17-10 in the 2nd quarter to take a 27-19 lead into the locker room.

The Mustangs outscored Tri County Northeast 15-6 in the 3rd quarter to pull ahead 34-33 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 14 4th quarter points.

Nate Oswald led the way with 13 points while Steven Sullivan notched 11 points and 7 rebounds. Mason Hall added 8 points while Reed Hingst totaled 7.

The Chiefs led the Wolfpack 13-11 after one. Tri County Northeast outscored Omaha Nation 19-9 in the 2nd quarter to take a 30-22 lead into the locker room.

The Wolfpack outscored the Chiefs 26-11 in the 3rd quarter to increase their lead to 56-33 at the end of three.

Omaha Nation won the 4th quarter 13-11.

Kobe Kumm finished with 16 points while Oswald notched 11 points and 9 rebounds. Hall added 9 points while Sullivan and Hingst totaled 8 apiece. Josh Olesen registered 7 points.

The Wolverines went up 29-9 on the Wolfpack at the end of one. Both teams scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, and BRLD led 39-19 at halftime.

BRLD won the 3rd quarter 19-16 to go up 58-35 at the end of three.

The Wolverines doubled up Tri County Northeast 10-5 in the 4th quarter.

The Wolfpack ends the season at 12-11.

Good season for Tri County Northeast with it being the first year of the Co-op and everything.

The Wolfpack did some nice things this season and picked up some quality wins.

Tri County Northeast says goodbye to Hall, Hingst, Kumm, Sullivan, Ryan Kinnaman, and Anthony Isom.

Some very talented seniors lost for sure.

Key returners for next year include Garrett Blanke, Olesen, Oswald, and Brock Mackling.

A lot of seniors to be next year that should make a huge impact I would think.

A lot of quality players and kids lost to graduation that won't be easy to replace though.

That's why it's important for the Wolfpack to really get after it this offseason.

The Tri County Northeast Girls saw their season come to an end in the D1-3 Sub-District Semifinals at Humphrey last Tuesday night as the Wolfpack fell 53-43 to Plainview.

Both teams scored 10 points in the 1st quarter. Plainview won the 2nd quarter 7-2 to go up 17-12 at halftime.

The Pirates outscored Tri County Northeast 19-11 in the 3rd quarter to extend their lead to 36-23 at the end of three.

The Wolfpack won the 4th quarter 20-17.

Jordyn Carr had a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds while Carly Dickens notched 7 points.

Tri County Northeast ends their season at 7-12.

Carr finished with a 19 points per game average this year while Rhyanne Mackling averaged 9 points a contest.

Brynn Schock led the way in rebounds with 152 on the season. Carr had 114 while Alli Jackson totaled 113.

Key losses include Dickens, Jackson, and Taylor Boyle.

These three Seniors will definitely be missed, but the Wolfpack has to be really excited about next season.

Key returners include Mackling, Brianna Bousquet, Jazmin De LaTorre, Katie Utech, Carr, and Schock.

It should be an exciting season next year for Tri County Northeast given who all returns.

The Wolfpack has to work hard and must stay hungry this offseason.

Pender Boys beat St. Edward in Sub-Districts; Girls fall to BRLD in Sub-District Final

 

The Pender Boys won 57-32 over St. Edward in the D2-4 Sub-District Semifinals from Humphrey St. Francis Tuesday night.

The Pendragons led the Beavers 17-11 after one, and won the 2nd quarter 10-6 to take a 27-17 lead into the locker room.

Pender outscored St. Ed 16-7 in the 3rd quarter to go up 43-24 at the end of three.

The Pendragons outscored the Beavers 14-8 in the 4th quarter.

Solid win for Pender.

The Pendragons (3-19) take on Humphrey St. Francis (18-4) in the D2-4 Sub-District Final at Humphrey St. Francis Thursday night.

The Flyers rolled over Winside 71-23 in Tuesday night's other Semifinal.

Pender has to come into this one believing they can win.

It may seem like a daunting task to beat St. Francis on their home floor in a postseason game, but nothing is impossible.

The Pendragons have to dream big and go in there and try and shock the World.

Pender has nothing to lose, and should simply go out there and give it all they got and see what happens.

The Pendragons have to play as if there is no tomorrow because hey if they lose then the season is over.

It has been a tough year for Pender, yet here they are playing for a Sub-District Title.

The Pendragons have to go out there and play at a Championship type level come Thursday night.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Pender Girls saw their season come to an end Thursday night as the Pendragons fell 47-39 to BRLD in the C2-4 Sub-District Final at Bancroft-Rosalie Thursday night.

The Pendragons led 10-8 after one before the Wolverines won the 2nd quarter 12-7 to take a 20-17 lead into the locker room.

BRLD won the 3rd quarter 12-8 to go up 32-25 at the end of three.

The Wolverines won the 4th quarter 15-14.

Pender almost qualified for Sub-State, but came up just a little short of having a chance to make a return trip to State.

The Pendragons' season ends at 16-8.

Of course who can forget Pender's wins over North Bend Central, Wynot, and Hartington Cedar Catholic this season.

Three wins over just amazing and incredible tradition rich basketball programs.

The Pendragons say goodbye to Zoey Lehmkuhl, Ashley Ostrand, Carson Miller, Skyler Prokop, and Dawson Anderson.

Key returners include Caitlyn Heise, Reese Kneifl, Claire Felber, and Alyssa Geisert.

Some great players lost to graduation, but at the same time Pender has to be excited about the future.

Ostrand is a big loss and is headed to UNO for Track so I wish her the best of luck doing that sport for the Mavericks.

As far as next year's team goes though the Pendragons must get to work as quickly and often as possible to prepare themselves for next season.

Of course most of these Girls are probably involved in track so they should enjoy that season first, but be ready to hoop it up as soon as the Summer rolls around.

BRLD Boys win over Pender in regular season finale, beat Tri County Northeast in Sub-Districts; Girls defeat Pender in Sub-District Final

 

The BRLD Boys won 77-30 at home over Pender in Friday night's regular season finale before winning 68-40 at home over Tri County Northeast in the C2-4 Sub-District Semifinals Tuesday night.

The Wolverines led the Pendragons 24-10 after one. BRLD outscored Pender 21-11 in the 2nd quarter to take a 45-21 lead into the locker room.

The Wolverines tripled up the Pendragons 18-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 61-27 at the end of three.

BRLD outscored Pender 16-3 in the 4th quarter.

Dylan Beutler led the way with 26 points while Micah Henschen added 9. Lucas Vogt totaled 8 points and 9 assists while Derek Petersen notched 7 points.

The Wolverines went up 29-9 on the Wolfpack at the end of one. Both teams scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, and BRLD led 39-19 at halftime.

BRLD won the 3rd quarter 19-16 to go up 58-35 at the end of three.

The Wolverines doubled up Tri County Northeast 10-5 in the 4th quarter.

Vogt had a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists while Toriano Bohannon Jr. added 16 points. Beutler was also in double figures with 15 while Zach Hegge pitched in 8 points.

Great games and performances by BRLD.

The Wolverines (16-4) take on Wakefield (20-4) in the C2-4 Sub-District Final from Lyons Thursday night.

The Trojans won 64-43 over Ponca in Tuesday night's other Semifinal.

Wakefield beat BRLD 59-55 at home on January 19th.

However, the Wolverines were without the services of Vogt, who was out with an ankle injury.

This time BRLD is at full strength.

That and the Wolverines are at home.

Those two things along with the fact that BRLD guarantees themselves a trip to Sub-State with a win is why I look for the Wolverines to win come Thursday night.

Both of these teams could potentially make Sub-State, but it's more iffy for Wakefield than it is BRLD.

Either way it should be a great atmosphere for some championship level and type basketball come Thursday night.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Lyons.

The BRLD Girls won 47-39 at home over Pender in the C2-4 Sub-District Final Thursday night.

The Pendragons led 10-8 after one before the Wolverines won the 2nd quarter 12-7 to take a 20-17 lead into the locker room.

BRLD won the 3rd quarter 12-8 to go up 32-25 at the end of three.

The Wolverines won the 4th quarter 15-14.

Jordan Snyder led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds while Cargan Tietz added 8 points. Isabel Freemont chipped in 7 points while Alyssa Buchholz notched 8 rebounds.

Really good win for BRLD.

The Wolverines (19-4) battle North Central (20-4) in the C2-7 Sub-State Final from Battle Creek Friday night.

The Knights fell 56-24 to Crofton in the C2-5 Sub-District Final at Crofton Thursday night.

North Central beat Ponca 40-35 in last Tuesday's Semifinals.

BRLD beat the Indians 63-53 at home on January 16th.

I look for the Wolverines to win a super close, tight game come Friday night.

BRLD is battle tested and made state last year, and has played great basketball down the stretch.

The Wolverines have to go out there and play their game and play loose and execute.

Things could be decided by a possession or two so BRLD has to value and maximize each possession.

The Wolverines simply have to want it more than the Knights.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Battle Creek.

Howells-Dodge Boys beat Lutheran High Northeast in regular season finale, top Stanton in Sub-Districts; Girls beat Wisner-Pilger, fall to GACC in Sub-Districts

 

The Howells-Dodge Boys won 50-43 at home over Lutheran High Northeast in Friday night's regular season finale before downing Stanton 61-44 in the D1-3 Sub-District Semifinals from Humphrey Tuesday night.

The Eagles jumped out to a 17-16 lead after one. Both teams put 8 2nd quarter points, and LHNE led 25-24 at halftime.

Both teams scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, and the Eagles maintained a 37-36 lead at the end of three.

The Jaguars outscored LHNE 14-6 in the 4th quarter to pull out the come from behind win.

Howells-Dodge went up 13-8 after one on the Mustangs before outscoring Stanton 23-11 in the 2nd quarter to take a 36-19 lead into the locker room.

Both teams scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter, and the Jaguars led 53-36 at the end of three.

Both teams scored 8 points in the 4th quarter.

Two nice wins for Howells-Dodge.

The Jaguars (16-8) take on Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (19-4) in the D1-3 Sub-District Final at Humphrey Thursday night.

The Bulldogs won 73-15 over Cedar Bluffs in Tuesday night's Sub-District Semifinals.

These two teams met on December 10th at H/LHF with the Bulldogs winning 46-32.

Both teams are pretty much headed to Sub-State either way regardless of how this one turns out.

This game is a good test and measuring stick for Howells-Dodge though, and will give them an idea of what they figure to see beyond Thursday night.

The Jaguars have played a super tough schedule that prepares them very well for these type of games and postseason runs.

I think Howells-Dodge is in the midst of another postseason run and possible trip to the State Tournament.

The Jaguars have to come out and play a good game and at the very least take H/LHF down to the wire and to the brink.

Win or at the very least lose a close game and I think you are set for Sub-State if you are Howells-Dodge.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Humphrey.

The Howells-Dodge Girls won 59-48 over Wisner-Pilger in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals from GACC Tuesday night before falling 67-26 to the host Bluejays in Thursday night's Sub-District Final.

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.

Jaedyn Ratzlaff had 21 points for the Jaguars, with Abbey Pieper scoring 14 and Cassie Pieper adding 10.

The Bluejays held an 18-4 lead at the end of one, and doubled up the Jaguars 16-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 34-12 lead into the locker room.

Howells-Dodge won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to make it a 45-25 game at the end of three.

GACC outscored the Jaguars 22-1 in the 4th quarter.

Ratzlaff led the way with 12 points.

Howells-Dodge ends the year at 11-13.

Ratzlaff led the team in scoring this year at 11 points a game while Janessa Schmidt had 8 points a game.

Schmidt also had 130 rebounds while Ratzlaff finished with 101.

The Jaguars say goodbye to Cassie Pieper, Riley Pokorny, and Schmidt.

Those three seniors will really be missed, but everyone else returns.

Key returners include Abbey Pieper, Morgan Gall, Ratzlaff, Brooklyn Macholan, Lilly Praest, Blair Fiala, Natalie Pieper, Carly Bayer, and Sasha Perrin.

One of Howells-Dodge's strengths this past year was depth, and it appears that will be a strength next year as well.

Head Coach Scott Polacek picking up his 400th career win this past year was definitely a great moment from this past season.

With that said, the Jaguars have to move forward and improve in the offseason and gear themselves up for another campaign next year.

GACC Boys go 1-2 in final 3 games of season; Girls win over Howells-Dodge in Sub-District Final

 

The GACC Boys fell 62-57 at Winnebago in Friday night's regular season finale before winning 50-48 over Tekamah-Herman in the C2-3 Sub-District Play-In Game aired on 107.9 the Bull Monday night, only to fall 55-30 to Oakland-Craig in Tuesday night's Sub-District Semifinals on the Knights' home court.

The Bluejays led the Indians 15-11 after one before Winnebago outscored GACC 22-7 in the 2nd quarter to take a 33-22 lead into the locker room.

The Indians won the 3rd quarter 14-12 to go up 47-34 at the end of three.

The Bluejays outscored Winnebago 23-15 in the 4th quarter.

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

Tekamah-Herman came out strong in the second half, and the Tigers 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.

Ben Ulrich led GACC with 10 points, while Branden Duhsmann and Nate Niewohner each added nine.

The Knights led 7-2 after one, and outscored the Bluejays 18-10 in the 2nd quarter to take a 25-12 lead into the locker room.

Oakland-Craig outscored GACC 17-10 in the 3rd quarter to go up 42-22 at the end of three.

The Knights won the 4th quarter 13-8.

Tough end to the season for the Bluejays.

GACC ends their year at 5-20.

I don't know if a 5-20 season is what the Bluejays had in mind at the beginning of the year.

The season definitely didn't live up to the standards and expectations of the program.

There's a lot of work to do in the offseason if GACC is to get back to their dominant ways.

Key losses include Brendan Rief, Ulrich, Tobias Steffensmeier, and Cody Steffen.

These seniors will be missed without a doubt given how much they meant to GACC Boys Basketball these past four years.

Notable returners include Niewohner, Duhsmann, Michael Cohee, and Reese Schlecht.

I believe there is quite a bit returning for the Bluejays and a lot to work with next year, but GACC has to step things up.

The Bluejays can definitely do that though and get back to their winning and dominant ways.

The GACC Girls downed Howells-Dodge 67-26 in the C2-3 Sub-District Final at home Thursday night.

The Bluejays held an 18-4 lead at the end of one, and doubled up the Jaguars 16-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 34-12 lead into the locker room.

Howells-Dodge won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to make it a 45-25 game at the end of three.

GACC outscored the Jaguars 22-1 in the 4th quarter.

Brandi Doernemann led the way with 15 points while Taylor Timmerman notched 9. Livia Hunke added 8 while Sophia Hass totaled 7.

Great and dominant win for the Bluejays.

GACC (22-3) hosts Norfolk Catholic (12-11) in the C2-3 Sub-State Final Friday night.

The Knights upset Clarkson/Leigh 45-27 in the C2-6 Sub-District Final from Clarkson Thursday night.

Clarkson/Leigh if you recall upset GACC at Sub-State last year.

The Bluejays have to correct last year's misfortune and go out there and beat the Knights Friday night.

Norfolk Catholic is probably licking their chops right about now.

After all, GACC is without Brenna Rief, who blew out her knee in practice the day before the Howells-Dodge game.

That simply means other players will have to step up the way they did against the Jaguars.

The Bluejays have plenty of other Superstars, and the last thing GACC can afford to do is let Norfolk Catholic come in and beat them on their home court to go to State.

That's something the Bluejays simply cannot let happen.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in West Point.

Clarkson/Leigh Boys knock off Wisner-Pilger in Sub-Districts; Girls upset by Norfolk Catholic in Sub-District Final

 

The Clarkson/Leigh Boys defeated Wisner-Pilger 52-37 in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals from Oakland-Craig Tuesday night.

The Patriots led 11-9 after one, and outscored the Gators 15-7 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.

Carter Hanel had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds while Kyle Kasik and Trevor Zulkoski notched 10 points apiece.

Nice win for Clarkson/Leigh.

The Patriots (13-9) take on Oakland-Craig (16-7) in the C2-3 Sub-District Final in action that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull Thursday night.

The Knights won 55-30 at home over GACC in Tuesday night's Semifinals.

These two teams met in Oakland in early December with Oakland-Craig winning 58-38.

Clarkson/Leigh has improved drastically since that time, but the Knights have also gotten better.

It should be a much closer, and good, competitive ball game this time around.

Beating Oakland-Craig on their home floor won't be easy, but it's do or die time for the Patriots.

Clarkson/Leigh has to play as if there is no tomorrow because if they lose the season is over.

The Patriots have to pour their heart and soul into this game and leave everything out on the floor.

Clarkson/Leigh should have nothing left in the tank after this one, win or lose.

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

The Clarkson/Leigh Girls were upset 45-27 by Norfolk Catholic in the C2-6 Sub-District Final from Clarkson Thursday night.

The Knights doubled up the Patriots 10-5 in the 1st quarter, and outscored Clarkson/Leigh 15-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 25-13 lead into the locker room.

Norfolk Catholic blanked the Patriots 8-0 in the 3rd quarter to go up 33-13 at the end of three.

Clarkson/Leigh won the 4th quarter 14-12.

Alissa Kasik led all scorers with 16 points.

Kind of a bit of a surprising loss for the Patriots.

Clarkson/Leigh (20-2) battles Bridgeport (22-3) in the C2-5 Sub-State Final from Lexington Friday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Bulldogs beat Gordon-Rushville 74-56 at home in the C2-12 Sub-District Final Thursday night.

This game is tough to gauge given multiple factors.

The Patriots are a small C-2 team yet play a lot of tough opponents.

Bridgeport is a large C-2 School and has been C-1 in the past I believe.

You have to figure Clarkson/Leigh has seen tougher competition, yet it could be argued the Bulldogs have been more dominant when you take into account margin of victory and such.

I honestly don't know a lot about Bridgeport, but it should be a good game I would think.

I think the Patriots have a good shot to win, but Clarkson/Leigh has to step things up and play better than they did against Norfolk Catholic and in the East Husker Conference Tournament against Oakland-Craig.

This one could go either way I think it honestly depends what kind of game both teams play.

The Patriots upset GACC in Sub-State last year so we'll see if Clarkson/Leigh can go out to South Central Nebraska and come home with another District Championship.

Tip-off from Lexington is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the Bull.