Over 60 free throws were shot but the Nemaha Central girls and boys on Friday night plenty of them made, that partnered with one lopsided quarter in each game by the Thunder led them past Holton on Friday. The lady Thunder secured the 59-43 win at home, while the Thunder boys cruised to the 59-33 victory. 

Nemaha Central took the early lead in the girls’ varsity contest until Holton responded to snatch the lead late in the first quarter and take a 13-10 advantage into the second period. In the second quarter the Wildcats worked their lead to a six-point margin but only led by one 23-22 at intermission. The third quarter belonged to the Thunder as Nemaha Central held Holton to one-point in the quarter until under 30 seconds left in the period and posted an 18-4 quarter to lead 40-27 after three quarters of action. Behind that strong quarter and 27-36 free throw line performance as a team Nemaha Central secured the 59-43 win. 

Laura Macke paced the Thunder with 17 points hitting 10-12 free throws on the night, earning her Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA, while Rachael Baumgartner added 10 points. Six other gals scored at least two points for the Thunder in the win as they improved to 15-2 on the season and 13-1 in the Big Seven League. 

Holton with the loss fell to 10-8 on the year and 9-5 in the League as Shay Tanking led a balanced Holton attack scoring 12 points, while Courtney Boswell scored 10 points. Nine total gals scored at least one-point for the Wildcats in the contest. 

The boys affair was close for a quarter as Nemaha Central led just 9-8 after the first period, but the Thunder struck in the second quarter and posted a 22-5 frame to take commanding control of the game up 31-13 at halftime. That lead stood up throughout the second half for the Thunder and partnered with balanced scoring with nine guys recording three more points on the night and a 21-25 performance from the free throw line as a team Nemaha Central won 59-33. 

Ten points from Luke Holthaus lead Nemaha Central but both Mitchell Henry and Corey Heiman contributed nine points each and Nate Beck scored eight points. Heiman's spark off the bench for the Thunder with his nine points earned him Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA. The win gives Nemaha Central their tenth win in a row making them 15-3 on the season and 12-2 in the League. 

The loss sends Holton to 7-11 on the year with a 6-8 League record as Bryson Patch led the team with 15 points on the evening. 

Both teams continue the season next Tuesday as Nemaha Central travels to Sabetha for a showdown of the top two teams in the Big Seven girls and boys, while Holton welcomes Hiawatha to their place for League action.