103.9 KNZA Broadcast - 3A Sub-State Championship - Nemaha Central vs. MH-MA
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3A Sub State Boys Championship at Horton High School
Maur Hill/Mount Academy 44, Nemaha Central 42

It was a classic between two of the top ranked teams in Class 3A with high energy in front of a packed and rowdy crowd on Saturday night.  Nemaha Central led 3-2 on a trey by Mitchell Henry, but as it turned out, the Thunder never led again as MH-MA advanced to the State Tournament for the first time since they won it all in 2006.  It was also the first win for the Ravens over a Nemaha team since 2007, after losing Sub State heartbreakers in 2015 and 2012 and dropping eight straight in the series. 

MH-MA led 17-10 after one quarter and protected the lead all night with some huge defensive stops, including a blocked shot for a potential tie in the last second of the contest.  Nemaha Central battled to tie the game at 24 at halftime and despite trailing 36-30 entering the fourth quarter, tied the game at 42 with 1:45 remaining.  Ironically, it was an offensive rebound and putback by Colton Kocour with one minute left that was the decisive score in the game as the Ravens had given up 15 offensive rebounds, including 10 in the first half that led to a large portion of the Nemaha Central points.  Nemaha had an empty possession after holding the ball for nearly 40 seconds late, but got another chance as MH-MA missed a one-and-one free throw with 12 remaining.  The ball was knocked out of bounds by the Ravens with one second left before Cole Kramer;s shot in the lane was deflected as time expired.  

Nemaha Central was just 6 of 11 at the foul line with Dalton Schmelzle scoring all 10 of his team high points in the second half.  Camron Feldkamp scored all seven of his points in the second quarter an Mitchell Henry and Matt Baumgartner each finished with six points as the Thunder season ended with a record of 19-4.  

MH-MA made 7 of 9 charity tosses and got off to a quick 9-3 start, thanks in large part to sophomore, Jack Caudle, who posted nine of his game high 15 points in the opening frame.  Jared Thibault scored seven straight in the third period as the Ravens regained a lead and he finished with 11 points while Zach Schwinn and Colten Kocour each chipped in eight points.  MH-MA improved to 22-1 and hasn't lost since their only three point setback to JCN on January 5th.

The Ravens begin 3A State play in Hutchinson on Wednesday with live coverage on KAIR 93.7 FM.  MH-MA is the #1 seed at plays Council Grove (11-11) at 3:00 PM.