In their second meeting in 11 days, it was a season sweep for the visiting Nemaha Central Thunder at Holton on Friday night as the Nemaha Central girls clinched their third straight Big 7 League title outright and remained undefeated on the season. The Thunder boys had yet another close game, but improved to 3-3 in six games decided by three points or less and 7-3 in their 10 games decided by six points or fewer this season.

GIRLS = Nemaha Central 54, Holton 39

Star senior guard Alleigh Kramer came to play and scorched the nets with 11 first quarter points including a couple treys and a four-point-play.  Nemaha Central led 17-13 after one quarter and never trailed the rest of the game.  The Thunder were ahead 28-20 at halftime and used a 13-7 third period to put the game out of reach. Kramer finished with 25 points while Emma Elder had 16 points and helped give Nemaha a huge advantage on the glass.  Kristen Lortcher added nine as the #1 ranked Thunder improved 19-0 on the season in their second closest win of the year and will face rival Sabetha on Tuesday in Seneca.    

Saydee Tanking led Holton with 14 points but just four in the second half while Macey Patch added 11. The Lady Cats fell to 10-8 on the season and 7-5 in the Big 7 League as they battle for a home game and top eight seed in their 4A Sub State with two games next week versus Hiawatha on Monday and at Jeff West on Tuesday to conclude the regular season. 

BOYS = Nemaha Central 34, Holton 31  

It was Andrew Leonard that came out on fire and hit three triples for the Nemaha Central boys who led 12-5 after one quarter. Neither team could do much offensively against the opposing man defense in the second period as the Thunder took a 17-11 advantage into the locker room. Holton mounted a comeback in the third frame and took advantage of several Thunder turnovers to tie the score at 23.  

The Wildcats took their only lead of the game 25-23 to start the fourth, but Nemaha Central responded with a 10-0 run to lead 33-25, their largest lead of the night. Holton answered with back-to-back treys by Matt Lierz and Reese Holaday to pul within 33-31 in the final minute, but Leonard made with free throw with 29 seconds left for the final margin. Holton was called for a controversial traveling before a drive to the basket with nine seconds to go, but Leonard missed a second straight free throw with five seconds remaining and gave Holton one more chance to tie on a prayer three-pointer by Eli Prine that came up short.  

Leonard led Nemaha Central with 14 points while Marcus Beck added nine. The Thunder improved to 13-6 overall and 8-5 in the Big 7 with a much needed win following losses in three of their last four games.  Holton has lost five straight for the second time this season and is now 4-14 overall and 3-9 in League play while winning just two of their last 14 games. The Cats were led by the freshman Lierz with 11 points off the bench, but no starter had more than five points as Holton lost their second game less than five points this week.  

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:" 

Emma Elder and Alleigh Kramer as well as Andrew Leonard of Nemaha Central.