Nemaha Valley 47, Sabetha 35

The third time was the charm and now the Raiders are hoping that a lucky number 7 consecutive trip to the state tournament can produce another championship.  Nemaha Valley avenged their only two losses on the year and knocked off undefeated Sabetha on Saturday night in Horton to win the 3A Sub-State.  

Sabetha led 6-5 late in the first quarter and their only other lead was 25-23 with 3 minutes to play in the third stanza after back to back treys by Kellen Rusell.  Yet, senior, Justice McKernan answered with a trifecta to put NV back ahead for good late in the third quarter.  McKernan finished with 17 points, which was his fourth straight game to record at least that many and hit 10 of 12 foul-shots in the final quarter to help NV pull away for the win.  Caleb Meyer was dominant inside with 15 of his 21 points in the opening half.  Meyer's three point play gave NV a 31-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.   

The Bluejays had scored at least 46 points in every game this season and had won 21 of their 22 contests by 9 or more points in route to an undefeated Big 7 League Title.  But, under pressure, the shots seemed rushed and just wouldn't fall as Sabetha hit only 8 of 16 free throws and made only one field goal in the final quarter of the game.  The Bluejay season ends at 22-1 as Kellen Rusell hit four more treys to finish with 56 on the season and had 12 points along with Jacob Frey.  The Jays fell short of their first boys state tourney since 2009, but lose only three seniors off this team.   

Nemaha Valley (21-2) goes to state for the 7th year in a row and makes their 17th appearance overall. They have won their first round game the past six seasons.