The 2018-19 high school basketball season got underway Friday night in Seneca as Nemaha Central played host to Centralia, and it was the host Thunder that came away with a sweep as the girls won 57-35 and the boys 67-36.

Girls

After winning 21 games and reaching the state tournament a season ago the Nemaha Central girls picked up right where they left off to start this season as they dominated Centralia 57-35.

The Thunder wasted no time jumping out in front of the Panthers, as junior Alleigh Kramer recorded five points in the first quarter to give Nemaha Central a 12-4 lead after one.

NC pushed their advantage to 16 points by halftime, as Kramer added five more points in the quarter including a 3-pointer at the buzzer giving the Thunder a 27-11 lead at intermission.

Nemaha Central put the game out of reach with a 17-point third quarter, as Kramer buried three more triples in the frame to balloon the Thunder lead to 19 points heading into the fourth quarter which Centralia never had an answer for.

Centralia junior Morgan Kramer tried to get the Panthers back into the game with 23 points in the contest, but after Kramer only three other Panthers scored and none scored more than six points.

Nemaha Central (1-0) will now turn their attention to a road game at St. Marys Tuesday, while Centralia (0-1) will have another tough test Tuesday on the road at Hanover.

Nemaha Central: Alleigh Kramer – 21, Emma Elder – 8, Kirsten Lortscher – 7, Ashley Larkin – 7, Jacy Dalinghaus – 6, Hannah Macke – 3, Ashley Hammes – 3, Riley Rottinghaus – 2.

Centralia: Morgan Kramer – 23, Maddy Lueger – 6, Maegan Koch – 4, Tamra Jones – 2.

Boys

Just like the girls game the night cap saw Nemaha Central jump out in front and never look back as the Thunder started the season with a resounding win over Centralia 67-36.

The Thunder jumped out to a 17-10 lead after one, with senior Matt Baumgartner notching 10 points in the quarter after averaging just 9 points per game last season.

Nemaha Central pushed their lead to 15 points at halftime with senior Cole Kramer recording six points in the second quarter giving the Thunder a 35-20 lead at intermission.

The Thunder put the game out of reach with an 18-point third quarter, pushing their lead to 23 points heading into the fourth with Baumgartner and senior Dalton Schmelzle combining for 12 points in the third.

Centralia was only able to put together 10-point quarters through the first three, and then in the fourth were held to just six points as the a running clock was put into motion for the final four minutes.

The Panthers played the game without senior All-TVL selection Daegan Steinlage who was out because of a coach’s decision, as just four players found the scoring column.

Next up for Nemaha Central (1-0) is a road game at St. Marys, while Centralia (0-1) will have another road game Tuesday at Hanover.

Nemaha Central: Matt Baumgartner – 17, Cole Kramer – 13, Dalton Schmelzle – 12, Austin Gerety – 6, Bryce Uphaus – 5, Jon Stallbaumer – 4, Andrew Leornard – 4, Tyler Gerety – 4, Austin Ahlquist – 2.

Centralia: Colby Arnold – 15, Kamble Haverkamp – 9, Nathan Haufler – 8, Ian Haverkamp – 4.