On the first Friday of the new year, the Nemaha Central Thunder earned a home sweep against visiting Holton.

GIRLS = Nemaha Central 49, Holton 30

Despite leading the entire night, Nemaha was only ahead 29-28 late in the third quarter before they flipped a switch and ended the game on a 20-2 run. Holton had a couple possessions to take a lead but did not make a single field goal in the final nine minutes.

It was a turnover field first half with Nemaha having 14 turnovers and Holton 10 of their own. The Thunder led 8-4 after one quarter and stretched the lead to seven a few times before holding a 23-18 advantage at halftime. NC got going with a couple transitions buckets by Taryn Ganstrom and fellow senior guard Mckynsey Henry hit four three-pointers in the first half. 

Nemaha overcame 22 total tunovers on the night with Henry scoring 16 points and Ganstrom adding 13 as they bounced back from a home loss against Sabetha and advanced their record to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 7 League. Reagan Gerety came off the bench and added seven points as a freshman as leading Thunder leading scorer and rebounder Addy Holthaus missed the game with illness.  

Holton got 10 points from Lindsey WIsdom while Macey Patch added seven and Staci Bond had five.  The Wildcats are now 3-4 on the season and 2-3 in League play. 

BOYS = Nemaha Central 58, Holton 51

After establishing a 20-11 first quarter lead with several driving baskets by Kurtis and Marcus Beck, Nemaha was in control of the boys game. Holton scored two buckets in the final couple seconds of the half to pull within 28-27 and then used a run to take a 33-30 lead in the third quarter. The Thunder answered with a 13-2 run and never looked back while knocking down 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to keep the lead comfortable and secure the win.  

Kurtis Beck scored 21 points while Marcus addded 15, but fellow seniors Cole Hermesch and Carter Lutz both chipped in 10 points as Nemaha improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in league play. Jaylen Turner led Holton for the second straight game with 16 points including the only four Wildcat treys while Matt Lierz had 14 points and Jake Zeller was strong at the rim with 12. Tyson Snyder also scored 8 for Holton who dropped to 4-3 overal and 2-3 in the Big 7.  

Holton will play at Perry Lecompton Tuesday while Nemaha Central host Riverside.