103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Nemaha Central at Holton - click here to listen (Girls | Boys) 

Both Nemaha Central teams completed a season sweep of Holton, pulling away from the Wildcats in the fourth quarter to take sole possession of first place in the Big 7 League. 

GIRLS = Nemaha Central 53, Holton 44

With both teams state ranked and sitting at 9-1 in the Big 7, there was a lot of hype and some early nerves.  Laura Macke scored six early points as teams settled into the first quarter and the Thunder held an 8-2 advantage after eight minutes of play.  Holton would come back to take a 15-12 lead, but Nemaha closed the half on an 8-0 run to lead 20-15 at halftime.

Ashley Hammes hit a trey to put Nemaha ahead by eight, but the Lady Cats answered with a 10-2 run and led 26-25 late in the third quarter.  Trailing 31-28 entering the fourth frame, Holton again responded and took a couple one-point leads, the last at 37-36 before Nemaha Central got a pair of treys from Jacy Dalinghaus and a three-point-play from Macke that ignited a 14-1 run to pull away at 50-38 and hold on for the win. 

The Thunder also made four of five free throws down the stretch and overcame 18 turnovers to improve to 13-2 on the season.  Nemaha Central got 22 points from Macke, despite battling foul trouble while Ashley Hammes had all 11 of her points in the second half including a pair of fourth quarter triples.  Dalinghaus scored eight of her 13 points in the final frame as the Thunder outscored Holton 22-16 in the last period and hit six total trifecata’s. 

Holton got 19 points from Shay Tanking in the loss and Maleah Price reach double-figures for the second straight game with eight of her 10 in the third quarter.  Saydee Tanking added eight points, but Holton did not make a three-pointer all night and missed several easy shots right at the basket to fall to 11-4 overall and 9-2 in the Big 7 League.  

BOYS = Nemaha Central 43, Holton 40

Nemaha Central led from start to finish, but could never put Holton away as the Wildcats missed a potential tying three-pointer in the final seconds.  The Thunder led 24-16 at halftime and appeared in total control with a 31-21 advantage entering the fourth quarter.  The Wildcats got three of their five treys in the fourth quarter and scored 19 points in the last frame to get within 38-37 in the final minute.  Mitchell Henry hit two free throws to make it 40-37 then the Cats missed a pair of three-pointers that would have tied the game.  Cole Kramer then hit a pair of foul-shots with 26 seconds left to make it 42-37 and Andrew Leonard added a freebie; but Holton got one more trey with five second remaining and then after three consecutive timeouts got a steal, but missed a shot at the buzzer. 

Mason Chanay, crowned king during Winter Royalty at halftime, finished with 15 points while Mason Strader had nine on three triples.  Holton had 16 turnovers before falling to 7-8 on the season and 5-6 in the Big 7.  Kramer led everyone with 19 points for Nemaha Central and was 7-11 at the charity stripe while Henry added eight points.  Nemaha Central got a lot of points at the basket in the first half and did not hit a three-pointer in the game. However, they won it at the foul-line as they hit 17 of 27 on the night and Holton was just 3-9 shooting free throws.  The Thunder are now 10-1 in the League and 12-3 overall.   

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:"
Laura Macke and Cole Kramer of Nemaha Central