Nemaha Central and Hiawatha advanced to the Hiawatha Invite Championship game for a third straight year with double-digit semifinal victories Thursday in the Roundhouse.  Jackson Heights and Marysville girls also won consolation contests. 

SEMIFINAL = Nemaha Central 52, St. Mary's 36
The only time the Thunder trailed was 3-0 on a trey by Logan Hurla and St. Mary's did not make any more three's the rest of the game.  Nemaha stretched a 12-7 first quarter lead to 28-15 at halftime and never allowed St. Mary's within single digits.  Maggie Hammes hit three treys to finish with 13 points while also going 2-2 at the foul line to earn "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha.  Kaley Dalinghaus added 12 points and Laura Macke scored 10 as Nemaha Central improved to 11-1 on the season and advanced to the midseason tourney championship game for the fifth straight season. 

SEMIFINAL = Hiawatha 43, Horton 33
Hiawatha never trailed after scoring the first five points of the game and used a 9-0 spurt to start the second quarter to go ahead 18-9.  Horton got within two points (25-23) in the third quarter after a pair of three-point plays by Daspin Brunning, but the Redhawks put the game away at the charity stripe making 18 of 25 foul shots.  Brunning finished with 15 points as the Chargers dropped to 7-3 on the season and will play for third at 1:00 PM on Saturday. 

Cariann Kunkel scored a season high 25 points and had 15 rebounds while connecting on 13 of 16 at the line herself and earning Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank on" honors.  Sydney Campbell hit a few more trifecta's to add 9 points and has eight three-pointers in the tourney.  Hiawatha, now 6-4, will try to defend their first HIT title in 35 years in the 2:30 game Saturday live on KNZA 103.9 FM. 

CONSOLATION - Jackson Heights 36, Lansing JV 25
Hannah Williams posted 15 points as Jackson Heights led 13-10 at halftime and ultimately put the game away with a 12-6 fourth quarter. 

CONSOLATION = Marysville 64, Falls City 36
Marysville jumped to a 21-3 lead after one quarter and never looked back.  Sydney Pacha had 17 points while Kali Crome added 10 in the Bulldogs win while Alyssa Frederick had 15 points for the Tigers.