103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Marysville vs Nemaha Central (3A boys Semifinals) - click to listen
103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Sabetha vs Maur Hill-Mt Academy (3A boys Semifinals) - click to listen

With a trio of state ranked teams and a fourth team that was state runner-up a year ago and playing on their home floor this week, there was little double that the Class 3A Sub State Semifinals at Sabetha would be intense.  On Friday night, the #3 seed Marysvile and #5 seed Sabetha advanced to the championship game.  

Marysvile 50, Nemaha Central 42

In their second meeting of the season, it was free throws that decided the contest.  While Nemaha Central made just 4 of 17 foul shots on the night, Maryville went 14 of 20 at the stripe and led through all but a couple minutes of the game.  Trailing by six after one quarter and halftime, Nemaha made a run in the third period, including a couple treys by Mitchell Henry and Dylan Enneking to grab their first lead at 33-30.  The Thunder were still ahead 35-33 entering the fourth quarter, but star junior, Gabe Pieschl nailed a trey and Marysvile never trailed again as they hit seven fourth quarter free throws and outscored Nemaha Central 17-7 down the stretch.  

Pieschl made four of Marysville's eight trifecta's and scored 22 points while Jack Blumer added 10 and the Bulldogs improved to 18-4 with their 11th win in the last 13 games.  Mitchell Henry had 14 points and Nate Beck chipped in 10 for the Thunder who had won nine straight following their first loss to Marysville on January 21st.  Nemaha Central ends their season with an 18-4 record.  

Sabetha 62, Maur Hill/Mount Academy 49

The start of this game determined the final outcome as Sabetha came out and made three early triples and led 12-2 against the top seeded MH-MA Ravens who had won 11 straight. The Bluejays led 19-7 after one quarter and went on to post a season high 62 points as they chopped through the Raven defense getting multiple layups and uncontested shots on the night.  

MH-MA made three of their six treys in the third period and got within 44-37, but never any closer as Sabetha made 16 free throws and the Ravens had hit just 5 of 14 entering the final frame.  Colten Kocour and Nick Caudle each scored 14 points and Luke Ervin added 9 as the Ravens finished their season with an 18-4 record and struggled shooting behind the arc while playing catch-up throughout the contest.   

Sabetha got 18 points from Eric Renyer while Keegan Cox added 14 and Christian Meyer scored 12.  Joe Gruber chipped in 8 points and Jesse Burger 7 as the Bluejays won their fifth consecutive game improving to 13-9 and getting a rematch against Marysville, whom they lost to 46-27 at the start of this season.  The finals at 7:30 will be on KNZA 103.9 FM Saturday night following the girls Sub State Championship at 6:00 PM between Hiawatha and Nemaha Central.     

Citizens Stat Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha Players to Bank On:

Gabe Pieschl of Maryville and Eric Renyer and Keegan Cox of Sabetha.