After placing runner-up the past two years, the Falls City Tigers broke through the won the 1st Annual Thunder Classic boys Tournament on Saturday with a 67-52 victory against Jackson Heights in Seneca. 

CHAMPIONSHIP = Falls City 67, Jackson Heights 52
The Tigers scored the first 10 points of the game and withstood all Cobra runs as the lead remained at least 6 throughout the contest.  Falls City led 16-6 after one quarter and 33-17 at halftime.  Westin Witt hit a pair of early treys and scored 8 points as the Tigers made four baskets behind the arc in the first quarter, after going 0-11 behind the arc in their Thursday semifinal win.  It was a rebounding and inside advantage along with stellar defensive play on the perimeter that led the Tigers to their third title in this tournament and first since 2010.  Jack Hartman scored 23 points while Jordy Stoller added 15, Kyle Leafty chipped in 13 and Witt finished with 10 as the Tigers improved to 15-1 on the season.  

Zane Richter had 30 points in the loss for Jackson Heights, and with his late push of 14 points in the fourth quarter he broke the tournament record for most points scored with 101.  Richter had 31 against Silver Lake on Tuesday, then 40 in the upset of Nemaha Central on Thursday before breaking the previous high mark of 98 points set by Curtis Holle of Marysville in the 1990 Raider Classic.  Wyatt Olberding added 10 for the Cobras, who are now 9-2 on the season, but struggled to score in transition and beyond the arc while getting no points off their bench in the title loss.  

3rd PLACE GAME = Nemaha Central 64, Marysville 46
The four-time defending tournament champs held a 30-22 halftime advantage and put the game away with an 18-9 third quarter.  The Thunder finished with two wins in the home tournament.  Nemaha was led by Luke Holthaus with 22 points while Abe Elder added 11 and Devin Henry scored 10. 

5th PLACE GAME = Silver  Lake 51, Hiawatha 46
Silver Lake played a great first half and led 27-13 before Hiawatha mounted a furious comback and pulled within two points in the fourth quarter.  Joseph Kunkel scored 13 for the Redhawks while Greg Lock added 10 but Logan Wolfley led all scorers with 15 for the Eagles and Jace Freeman chipped in 12 as Silver Lake held on for their second win of the tournament.    

7th PLACE GAME =  Horton 61, St. Mary's 48
Horton led 18-11 after one quarter and maintained a lead throughout the contest to finish the tournament with a win.  Channdler Knudson scored 18 points while Jake Pahmahmie added 10 and Alec Cowley had 15.