103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Marysville vs Hiawatha (girls 3A Sub-State Semifinals) - click here to listen 
103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Sabetha vs Nemaha Central (girls 3A Sub-State Semifinals) - click here to listen

The top two seeds advanced to the 3A Sub-State Championship game with semifinal wins on Thursday night in Sabetha.  Although all four teams struggled some on the offensive end, Hiawatha rallied from 10 points down in the final five minutes to force overtime before beating Marysville 50-49 while Nemaha Central put their game away with a 14-3 third quarter and held Sabetha to three made field goals combined in the first three quarters of the game before cruising to a 43-23 victory. 

Hiawatha 50, Marysville 49 in Overtime

After a slow start to the game for both teams, Grace Stohs hit a three-pointer to tie the game at seven at the end of one quarter.  The Bulldogs took the lead to begin the second stanza and Hiawatha never led again until the end of the game.  Leading 16-12 at halftime, Marysville scored six points to start the third period and built a double-digit lead while holding the Hawks scoreless for nearly five minutes.  Yet, after scoring only 20 points in the first three quarters, Hiawatha ralled to post 22 in the fourth quarter and forced overtime when senior Courtney Brockoff kissed in a trey from the right win with 13 seconds remaining in regulation.

Macy Larson had put Marysville on top 33-23 with five minutes left on a trifecta, but the Bulldogs started having turnovers problems as Hiawatha picked up the defensive full court pressure.  Trailing 40-35 with 1:04 left, Kendra Overdick scored a put back and then Cariann Kunkel got a quick steal and found Brockoff for a layup to pull within 40-39 in the last 30 seconds.  Larson scored again for Marysville on a breakaway inbound play following a timeout, before Brockoff calmly faked and dribbled before knocking in the triple off the glass.  

Sydney Campbell gave Hiawatha their first lead since the opening quarter on her third trey of the night with 1:10 remaining in OT, which turned out to be the final points scored in the 50-49 thriller.  The Redhawks missed a couple free throws late, but Marysville, just like the end of regulation, missed a potential game-winner just short as their season closed at 11-11.  

The Bulldogs had twice as many turnovers (16 to 8) and made six less free throws in the tough loss.  They ended the season going 8-4 in their final 12 games, including a win at #3 seed Horton on Monday.  Sydney Pacha scored 10 points for Marysville while Kali Crome chipped in 8 and Alex Denner, Nicole Franco and Macy Larson each added 7 points for a team that losses only two seniors next year.  

Hiawatha, improved to 15-7 and surpassed their win total from last year with Brockoff earning Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank On" honors scoring 22 points and hitting three free throws plus the tying trey in the fourth quarter.  Kunkel struggled through an off-night shooting but still got her 14 points while Campbell added 10. The Redhawks are now 9-2 since February with five seniors fighting to keep their season alive as shown in one of the biggest Sub State comebacks.

Nemaha Central 43, Sabetha 23

Nemaha Central didn't make a basket until 7:30 into the contest and trailed Sabetha 5-3 after one period.  However the Thunder pitched an 8-0 shutout in the second quarter and held the Jays to a combined three field goals in the first three quarters of the game.  Leading 11-5 at halftime, Nemaha scored 14 points in the third quarter to put the game away and then got to the free throw line 29 times in the second half and made 18 of those to pull away for their third win by 20 or more points against their rivals this season.  

Laura Macke scored 11 of her 13 points in the second half while Maggie Hammes added 10. Hammes was 7 of 8 at the line and scored five straight points in the second quarter to get the Thunder rolling on offense and take "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha.  Kaley Dalinghaus added nine points and Jacy Dalinghaus had seven as Nemaha Central improved to 19-3 on the season.  

Sabetha had 11 of their 16 turnovers in the first half when they made just one of seven foul shots and missed a trio of one-and-one opportunities.  Hillary Krebs scored 8 of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and Skylar McAfee had all 8 of hers in the final frame before the Bluejays and a trio of seniors closed their season with an 11-11 record.  

Nemaha Central will now meet Hiawatha for a fourth time this season with the Thunder winning the first two matchups but falling at home against the Redhawks just two weeks ago.  The 3A Sub State Girls final at 6PM will be broadcast live on KNZA 103.9 FM along with the 3A Boys semifinals Friday and championship Saturday night in Sabetha.