103.9 KNZA/92.1 KMZA Broadcast - Nemaha Central at Sabetha - click here to listen (Girls | Boys)

While the winter weather deterred many from playing basketball in Northeast Kansas it couldn't stop the rivalry of Nemaha Central and Sabetha as the two did battle on the hardwood with the Thunder earning the road sweep. Nemaha Central girls used a strong fourth quarter to secure the 50-34 win, while the Thunder boys edged Sabetha 46-42. 

GIRLS 

After establishing the early lead Nemaha Central extended the lead over much of the game and went on to take the win behind a strong fourth quarter against Sabetha on the road. Up 12-8 after the first quarter Nemaha Central saw Sabetha tie the game at 12-12 early in the second but the Thunder went into intermission up 22-19. That lead grew to as high as seven in the third quarter only to be at three by the end of the frame with Nemaha Central leading 34-31. The Thunder finished the game strong stretching the lead to 45-34 with 2:48 left going up by double figures for the first time in the contest and going on to win 50-34. 

The win moves Nemaha Central to 14-2 on the season and 11-1 in Big Seven play. Laura Macke led the Thunder with 20 points earning her Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors. While Jacy Dalinghaus scored 11 points and Ashley Hammes netted 10 points. 

Sabetha in the loss was led by Melinna Schuman who scored eight points as the Bluejays fell to 9-7 on the season and 7-5 in Big Seven action. 

Nemaha Central continues their season on Friday, February 9th at home against Royal Valley, while Sabetha will next be in action against Jeff West on Tuesday, February 13th. 

Nemaha Central - Laura Macke 20pts, Jacy Dalinghaus 11pts, Ashley Hammes 10pts, Alleigh Kramer 4pts, Ashley Larkin 3pts, Emma Elder 2pts
Sabetha - Melinna Schumann 8pts, Hillary Krebs 7pts, Hannah Wertenberger 6pts, Jessica Payne 4pts, Skylar McAfee 4pts, Maggi Hughes 3pts, Payton Michael 2pts

BOYS

For the tenth time in the last 12 meetings the rivalry matchup between the Nemaha Central and Sabetha boys went down to the wire and was decided by single digits. Sabetha found themselves doubling up Nemaha Central early leading 12-6 after the first quarter and going up 14-7 in the second until a 6-0 Thunder run made it 14-13 with 4:26 to go in the first half and that lead to a Sabetha timeout. Nemaha Central continued their run and took a lead going up by as many as four points but the Bluejays managed to tie the contest by halftime as it was knotted up at 20-20. The teams played a stalemate of a third quarter and the action went into the fourth quarter tied at 36-36. Nemaha Central took the lead in the final few minutes of the game and behind some free throws held off Sabetha for the 46-42 win. 

With the win Nemaha Central improved to 13-3 on the season and 11-1 in Big Seven action. Matt Baumgartner led the Thunder with 15 points and earned Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors. 

Brett Stallbaumer led Sabetha in the loss posting 16 points as the Bluejays fell to 10-6 on the season and 8-4 in Big Seven action. 

Nemaha Central continues their season on Friday, February 9th at home against Royal Valley, while Sabetha will next be in action against Jeff West on Tuesday, February 13th. 

Nemaha Central - Matt Baumgartner 15pts, Cole Kramer 9pts, Austin Gerety 7pts, Mitchell Henry 6pts, Andrew Leonard 4pts, Dalton Schmelzle 3pts, Zachary Buessing 2pts
Sabetha - Brett Stallbaumer 16pts, Jesse Burger 7pts, Braeden Cox 5pts, David Dyke 4pts, Ryan Stapleton 3pts, Joe Gruber 3pts, Gabe Garber 2pts, Kyle Grimm 2pts