Girls Sub-State Championship: #1 Valley falls vs. #3 Jefferson County North

A year ago, the Valley Falls girls’ basketball team used their defense to earn a trip to the Class 2A State Tournament by holding Troy to just 24 points in the sub-state championship.

Saturday night the Lady Dragons did the same, forcing 20 total turnovers in a 37-23 win over Jefferson County North to make it back to Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan for the second straight year.

The Valley Falls defense was on full display early forcing 11 first half turnovers, but JCN kept it close trailing by just nine late in the half.

But, with just under 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Lady Dragon head coach Todd Gish took a timeout and drew up a play for senior point guard Jenna Kramer for the final shot of the half.

Kramer drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner at the buzzer to push the lead to 12 at the break, and give Valley Falls all of the momentum.

The Lady Dragons rode that momentum throughout the third quarter dribbling out almost five minutes off the clock and holding JCN to just three points to push the lead to 15 after three, which they held the rest of the way.

Valley Falls (23-0) advances to the Class 2A State Tournament March 9-12 in Manhattan. JCN ended its season at 12-11 overall and sent off three seniors: Carley Elias, Ella Weishaar, and Gabbi George.

Valley Falls: Jenna Kramer – 14, Rachel Frakes – 8, Reagan Kirkwood – 6, Sydney Gish – 4, Allison Kearney – 3, Callie Watson – 2.

Jefferson County North: Ravyn Jobbins – 6, Jentry Seichepine – 5, Annabelle Vaught – 4, Julie Schrick – 3, Carley Elias – 3, Elaina Tweed – 2.

Boys Sub-State Championship: #1 Jackson Heights vs. #3 Jefferson County North

In last year’s sub-state championship win over Troy, Zane Richter and Wyatt Olberding put on big-time performances combing for 49 points to punch a ticket to the state tournament.

Saturday night the duo did it again, as Richter went off for 30 points while Olberding chipped in 20 to book back-to-back trips to Manhattan with a 68-46 win over Jefferson County North.

JCN kept things close early off the play of Nick Funk, as the senior dropped eight in the first quarter points to put the Chargers down just five after one.

Jackson Heights took things over from there, as the lead ballooned to 15 by halftime behind Richter’s 13 second quarter points.

JCN tried to make a run out of halftime, but the Cobras answered each bucket to keep the Chargers at arm’s length heading into the fourth quarter, 46-32.

Olberding took things over from there, scoring 10 points in the final quarter on a 4-for-4 effort from the charity stripe to push the Cobras back to Manhattan.

Jackson Heights (21-2) now awaits seeding for the Class 2A State Tournament March 10-12.

JCN ends its season at 17-5, and says goodbye to the leading scorer in Charger history Bryce Noll, along with fellow seniors Spencer Hubbard, Nick Funk, Jake Brickell, Cole Bryant, Avery Noll, and Elijah Meyer.

Jackson Heights: Zane Richter – 30, Wyatt Olberding 20, Westin Jacobsen – 12, Brady Holliday – 4, Braden Dohl – 2.

JCN: Nick Funk – 17, Braden Schneider – 8, Boston Lane – 8, Bryce Noll – 5, Elijah Meyer – 5, Brayden Summers – 3.