Two of the Big Seven Leagues top teams over the past years and this year in both girls and boys basketball squared off in Seneca on Friday night as Nemaha Central hosted the Holton Wildcats. At the end of the night the Thunder struck for a pair of hard fought wins over Holton, as the lady Thunder claimed the 38-26 win and the Nemaha Central boys won 63-56.

The night started slow for both the Thunder and Wildcats on the floor in the girls’ varsity matchup, as Nemaha Central held just the 9-6 lead after the first quarter. That lead grew behind a 13-8 second quarter, pushing the Thunder to a 22-14 lead at the half, behind the stellar first half offensive play of junior, Rachael Baumgartner who posted 13 of her 14 points in the first half. Holton didn't just go away, as they fought back within three-points and had opportunities to tie and take the lead in the third quarter, but Nemaha Central fended them off to still lead after three frames. Nemaha Central closed out the game with a 9-4 fourth quarter to secure the 38-26 win, as senior, Jaci Swart took over the scoring load in the second half posting nine of her 11 points in the second half.

With the win the Thunder improved to 5-2 overall and 5-1 in Big Seven action, as Baumgartner paced the team with her 14 points, earning Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" on the radio. Swart finished with her 11 points and Kennedy McKernan chipped in seven points. Holton with the loss fell to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in League action and were led by Ashlyn Weilert and Hayley Thompson who both posted six points. Senior, Emily Degendhardt added five points and played great early, earning Citizens State Bank "Player to Bank On" on the radio.

The boy’s matchup proved to be a tight affair on the night between the Thunder and Wildcats and after a 4-0 start to the game by Nemaha Central, Holton senior, Trey Tanking took over and scored 12 first quarter points, to push Holton to a 14-12 lead after the first period. The lead grew in the second quarter for Holton, but Nemaha Central closed to within four before the half, making it 26-22 at the half. The two teams traded buckets in the third quarter and the Thunder were within one after three quarters, trailing 40-39. In the Nemaha Central posted 24 points, with multiple contributors and fought back to take control late and comeback to remain unbeaten on the season picking up the 63-56 win.

On the night four Thunder players tallied double figures as Luke Holthaus and Trent Schulte both posted 13 points and Devin Henry and Abe Elder each chipped in 10 points, apiece. Schulte's aggressiveness and 13 point performance earned him Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" on the radio, while helping Nemaha Central move to 7-0 and 5-0 in Big Seven action. Holton with the loss fell to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in League action, while Tanking paced the Wildcats on the night finishing with a season-high 26 points, earning him Citizens State Bank "Player to Bank On" on the radio. Garrett Beecher added 14 points in the game, scoring eight of the 14 in the fourth quarter.

League action rolls on for both teams on Tuesday as Nemaha Central travels to Sabetha to take on the Bluejays in a rivalry matchup (game will be broadcasted on 103.9 KNZA & the Sabetha Channel). While, Holton will look to get back in the win column as they go home and will host Hiawatha.