Four teams all playing well and building momentum met Friday night in Seneca. But, just like earlier this season in December, Nemaha Central completed the season sweep over Royal Valley as the Thunder boys won their fifth straight and the Nemaha girls remained perfect in Big 7 League play.  

GIRLS = Nemaha Central 42, Royal Valley 39

Both teams committed several turnovers early in this hyped matchup of teams that have both been ranked #1 in Class 3A at some point this season. But Royal Valley missed several easy buckets and Nemaha led 14-8 after one quarter before a 7-0 run to start the second and push the margin to 21-8.  Royal Valley answered with a 10-0 run, including three straight buckets by Mary Broxterman, and closed within 22-18 at halftime.

The Panthers quickly tied the game at 22 to start the third period, but Nemaha went on an 8-0 which included a big trey by Ashley Hammes and a couple baskets from Jacy Dalinghaus. Despite averaging 4.5 treys per game this year, Royal Valley missed their first 10 three-pointers adn finally got one banked in by Wakiyan Irvin with 3:15 to take their only lead of the game 37-36.  With 32 seconds left, Dalinghaus gave Nemaha Central the lead for good with a free throw to make it 39-38 and Kirsten Lortscher added a pair of charities with 10 seconds left to push the margin to 41-38 before both teams made one free throw to finsh the game.  Down 41-39, Irving intentionally missed her second free throw with :06 on the clock, but current # 1 ranked Nemaha secured the rebound and the win to improve to 14-1 overall and 9-0 in League play. 

Dalinghaus had 12 points while Alleigh Kramer aded 11 for Nemaha Central, who overcame 18 turnovers.  Irving and Broxterman each scored 11 for Royal Valley who lost for the first time in 10 games and is now 10-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big 7.  Similiar to last year, if these two teams meet again it will be at state in Hutchinson because the Thunder are in Sub-State at Marysville and Royal Valley will compete at Perry Lecompton.  

BOYS = Nemaha Central 58, Royal Valley 43

Nemaha Central jumped to a 7-0 lead before Royal Valley scored their first points four and a half minutes into the game.  Both teams played a lot of zone defense early and struggled to get much going offensively.  The Panthers took their only lead of the game 12-10 before Nemaha Central closed the half on a 12-2 run.  

Dalton Schmelzle took over in the third quarter with 13 of his game high 20 points to push the margin over 20 and allow the Thunder to coast to the win.  Matt Baumgartner added 15 points and Andrew Leonard had 10, including a trio of treys after erupting for 22 points earlier in the week in a revenge victory at Hiawatha.  The Thunder made 12 of 16 free throws in the game and have attempted 120 more free throws than their opponents this season and made 80 more foul shots than their opposition.  The fifth straight win puts Nemaha Central at 11-4 overall and 5-4 in League play.  

Royal Valley is playing seven of their final eight games on the road this season including three games each of the next two weeks.  The Panther played within leading scorer Pak Hale, who was sick and missed practice the day before.  Royal Valley had three freshman on the court most of the night, (they combined for 25 points) but was led by Komesh Spoonhunter with 15 points while Nachs Wahwassuck chipped in 12.  The Panthers had won three of their last four coming into the game and how will play three times on the road next week at Riverside, Jeff West and Hiawatha.  

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:"

Alleigh Kramer and Dalton Schmelzle of Nemaha Central