Sabetha 45, Nemaha Valley 39
In the third meeting of the season between Big 7 and Nemaha County rivals, Sabetha never trailed and qualified for the Class 3A State Tournament in Hutchinson for the first time since winning it in 2004. Freshman Alexis McAfee scored 10 of Sabetha first 12 points including a pair of treys and the Bluejays had a 14-4 lead after one quarter.  

Sabetha led 24-13 at halftime and 30-23 entering the fourth quarter, but NV made it a 34-30 game with 3:40 to play.  The Lady Jays answered with an 8-2 run capped by Leah Colgrove's trey and at 42-32, the game was all but over with 1:41 left.  

The Bluejays overcame 17 turnovers and got 18 points from Ashley Annan while McAfee finished with 13. Sabetha takes a 17-6 record to state after winning the Hiawatha Sub-State as the #3 seed.  Nemaha Valley finished the year 14-9 with a third loss to Sabetha and was led by Kaylee Bontrager with 11 points.  Jaci Swart and Michaela Stallbaumer each added 8, but the Lady Raiders only made four field goals the entire first half and could not over come the early deficit.  

It looks like Sabetha will be the #8 seed and open with an undefeated Burlington team they are familiar with, having lost to them 43-38 in the semifinals of the Burlington Tournament in January this year.  The Bluejays also played Burlington and beat them 45-41 in the championship game of the mid-season tourney a year ago.