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Haymarket Friday: Class A, B and C-1 Semifinal Recaps

Tony ChapmanBy
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Lincoln, Neb. — The state final matchups will be completely set at the end of Friday as today’s winners will join Thursday’s winners for championship Saturday that begins at 9:00 a.m. with Class D-1 title game.

Class C-2 Recaps | Class D-1 Recaps | Class D-2 Recaps

North Bend Central 60, Winnebago 40

Winnebago’s dream run came to an end at the hands of defending champion North Bend Central on Friday morning. After an up-and-down first quarter where the Tigers had a 21-14 lead, NBC’s defense settled in.

NBC led 32-20 at the break and then ended any suspense by pushing the lead to 46-26 after three quarters. The Tigers got 27 points from junior Sydney Emanuel, while sister Kaitlyn added 11 after sitting out the entire second quarter with two personal fouls.

Natasha Deal scored 12 points for Bago (16-11), who entered the district final round as the 16th seed in Class C-1 and upset Malcolm and Grand Island Central Catholic on their way to the semifinals.

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Hastings St. Cecilia’s Katherine Hamburger battles through the Lincoln Lutheran defense on Friday. (nebpreps photo / Marcus Scheer)

Hastings St. Cecilia 29, Lincoln Lutheran 25

Hastings St. Cecilia had just enough on Friday morning to outlast Centennial Conference mate Lincoln Lutheran in the second Class C-1 semifinal. Bailey Kissinger scored 10 of her game-high 12 points in the second half with her two free throws in the final 30 seconds sealing the game.

The game turned late in the second quarter. With Lutheran leading 16-9, the Hawkettes (24-2) got a free throw from Katherine Hamburger and when she missed the second and Shaye Butler corralled the rebound it set up a 3-point basket for Tatum Krikac that cut the lead to 16-13 at the half. 

HSC got to the lead at 21-20 and didn’t give it back, holding Lutheran to just nine second half points. Three players — Abby Wachal, Shanae Bergt and Addi Ernstmeyer — each had six points for LL (20-3)

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The Norris bench celebrates their 43-36 win over York in the Class B semifinals. (nebpreps photo / Ben Mohorn)

Norris 43, York 36

Norris’ quest for a first state championship in school history took a turn with Brianna Stai’s kiss. Stai banked in a 3-point shot at the third quarter buzzer a 30-29 lead over York.

That momentum carried over to another 3-point basket in the final frame and a stingy defense that held the Dukes to just two fourth quarter field goals in the 43-36 win. Norris held on with a 10-for-15 performance from the free throw line late.

York, which finished 21-4, gave a game effort. They lost to Norris 49-34 in January, but had the game tied at 19 at the half and led 29-27 while holding for a last shot in the third quarter when a long rebound set up Stai’s bank shot. Masa Scheierman had 13 points and Maddie Portwine 12 for the Dukes.

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Elkhorn North’s Britt Prince drives against Scottsbluff’s Isabella Wright. (nebpreps photos / Marcus Scheer)

Elkhorn North 65, Scottsbluff 41

A flurry that ended the third quarter and began the fourth quarter gave Elkhorn North just enough breathing room to advance to the Class B final in their first year as a school.

Freshman Britt Prince lived up to the billing.

The Wolves leading scorer — already with multiple Division I offers — scored 27 points, including a pair timely wing 3-pointers in the third quarter after the Bearcats had a 30-21 halftime lead to seven points.

Then, in the fourth leading 46-34, EN got seven points in a 1:41 span from Reilly Palmer as she finished with 19 points.

Scottsbluff was led by Mariyah Avila and Sabrina Harsh with 10 points each. The Bearcats finished the season 19-7.

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Pius’ center Alexis Markowski tries to score against Omaha Central’s Nyanuar Pal in the Class A semifinals. (nebpreps photo / Marcus Scheer)

Lincoln Pius X 47, Omaha Central 38

Alexis Markowski did Britt Prince one better.

The Nebraska basketball pledge had 30 points and 27 rebounds — third most in Class A, single game annals — as the Thunderbolts moved to 24-0 and will defend their title on Saturday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Pius has won 50 of their past 51 games.

When Omaha Central tied the game at 25 early in the third quarter, Markowski had seen enough. She scored 13 points in the period as Pius extended their lead to 42-30 before holding off a determined Eagles bunch.

Freshman Inia Jones scored 16 points and added four steals for Omaha Central (23-4).

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Fremont junior Taylor McCabe scored 18 points to lead the Tigers to the Class A state final. (nebpreps photo / Marcus Scheer)

Fremont 70, Millard South 64

In the most up-and-down, back-and-forth game of the tournament, Fremont survived a 14-for-28 performance from the free throw line but still held off Millard South, 70-64.

Eight players scored in double figures — four for each team — as the Tigers used second quarter surge that turned a 28-20 deficit into a 40-37 halftime advantage. After the teams battled to a 56-56 tie after three quarters, the Tigers got seven of Taylor McCabe’s game-high 18 points in the final frame to take control.

Sarah Shepard scored 16 points, Charlie Earth had 14 and Macy Bryant added 13 for the Tigers. Khloe Lemon led Millard South with 18 points, while Cora Olsen (15), Mya Babbit (14) and Alexa Finkenbiner (12) also scored in double figures for the Patriots, who finished 24-2.

 

Inside the Matchups: Friday’s State Girls Basketball Semifinals

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