Tuesday night featured two fun basketball games between Nemaha Central and Sabetha. The girls’ game was won by the Thunder in a defensive-oriented battle, which finished with a final score of 29-27. The boys’ game saw some clutch shots made by Sabetha down the stretch to stay unbeaten with a final score of 57-46.

The first game of the night saw just 12 points combined in the first quarter, but it was made clear that the game was going to be close the whole way through. The Bluejays knocked down a pair of threes in the second quarter to help them to go up 15-12 at the half.

In the second half, Nemaha Central senior forward Ella Larkin took the game over scoring six third quarter points to take a four-point lead into the final frame. In the fourth quarter with one second to go, Larkin made a game-winning turnaround jumper from five feet out to seal the victory for the Thunder.

The number four team in the state remained perfect with the victory and move to 6-0 on the season and 4-0 in Big 7 play.

In the night-capper, Sabetha would play in their first game where they could boast the title of #1 in Class 3A, according to the KBCA. Senior forward Davis Rokey scored eight of the team’s 11 first quarter points to go up by three after the first frame.

The rest of the team settled in and was able to put up a 15-point second quarter to go up 26-18 at the break.

In the third quarter, Nemaha Central guard Wade Leonard made a pair of threes for the Thunder, but it wouldn’t be enough to outscore Sabetha. Bluejay senior guard Matthew Garber scored eight points and junior forward Christian McAfee dominated the post for an additional six points to go up 43-33 going into the fourth.

The Thunder did everything they could to claw back, but Garber made nine free throws out of 11 attempts to keep Sabetha in front the rest of the way.

With the win, the Sabetha boys are now 6-0 on the year and 4-0 in Big 7 play. Both teams will be off for Christmas break before resuming play on January 6th.