CHAMPIONSHIP = Marysville 39, Nemaha Central 34

The top seeded Bulldogs rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to knock off the defending Classic champions and host Nemaha Central on Saturday night.  The Bulldogs (10-2) made all four treys in the contest and got 20 points from Gabe Pieschl to claim their fifth Mid-Season Tournament Title in Seneca and first since 2005.  Nemaha Central (9-3) led 21-16 at halftime but was outscored 14-5 while making just one field goal in the third quarter and then missed several baskets in the final minutes as Marysville pulled out to a nine point margin.  

The Bulldogs left the door open by missing all three one-and-one free throw attempts in the closing minutes as Nate Beck and Trenton Henry each scored 10 points in the defeat.  Pieschl ended the tournament with 60 total points and the Bulldogs turned a 7-1 run to start the second half into a 14-3 spurt to take the lead for good.  Both these teams, that are ranked in the top five in the State in Class 3A, could meet again in the Sabetha Sub-State.

THIRD PLACE = Silver Lake 58, Falls City 38

Leading 27-20 at halftime, the Eagles pulled away with a 31-18 second half to finish the tourney with two wins.  Mason Griffin scored 26 points while Cale Adams added 11 and Silver Lake was 23 of 27 at the foul line.  Falls City (9-7) was just 8 of 12 at the charity stripe with Rudy Vrtiska leading the Tigers with 12 points.  

FIFTH PLACE = St. Mary's 52, Jackson Heights 45

This game was tight throughout with a 24-24 tie at intermission.  The Bears hit three of their eight treys during an 11-6 third period and held on for the win.  St. Mary's (8-3) made all 10 free throws in the fourth period to hold while Nick Rabe scored 16 points, Jeffrey Kleinsmith added 11 and Mitchell Flanagan chipped in 10.  Flanagan also edged out freshman teammate Caden Hurla in the finals to win the Jerry Odum three-point shooting contest.  Wyatt Olberding scored 20 points to pace Jackson Heights (7-4) while Mason Thomas added 11 for the Cobras.         

SEVENTH PLACE = Hiawatha 53, Horton 28

The Redhawks led 19-11 at halftime but didn't ultimetly pull away until a 20-6 fourth quarter.  Hiawatha (4-7) had 10 different players score, led by Joseph Kunkel who posted a game-high 20 after being shutout on Thursday.  Horton (6-5) was led by Cameron Smith with 12 points on four trifecta's.