103.9 KNZA Broadcast (girls) - Sabetha at Nemaha Central - click here to listen
103.9 KNZA Broadcast (boys) - Sabetha at Nemaha Central - click here to listen

Although both Nemaha Central basketball teams only had leads of five points by halftime, both Thunder squads pulled away in the second half to complete a regular season sweep of their Big 7 and county rival, Sabetha Bluejays on Tuesday night in Seneca.

GIRLS = Nemaha Central 46, Sabetha 23

After five early lead changes, Nemaha Central led 8-7 at the end of one quarter.  The Lady Jays went on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter and was ahead 12-8 when the Thunder responded out of a timeout and pounded the ball inside for an 8-0 run and took the lead for good.  Kaley Dalinghaus scored three consecutive baskets for Nemaha in that stretch and finished with a season high 18 points to earn "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha. 

Laura Macke had 19 points and also scored in every quarter as the Thunder made 8 of 11 free throws and turned Sabetha over 18 times while winning the second half 27-9.  Nemaha Central is now 14-2 overall and 10-2 in the Big 7 League.  Sabetha was led bydd Grace Kuenzi with nine points, but no other Bluejay had more than three as leading scorer Hillary Krebs went out of the game with a knee injury just before halftime and did not return.  The Lady Bluejays are 7-5 in the League and 9-7 overall after their three-game win streak came to and end.   

BOYS = Nemaha Central 53, Sabetha 31 

The boys game featured five early ties as the teams traded baskets, but Nemaha got a another trey to end the second quarter from Dylan Enneking and take a 14-11 advantage that they would not relinquish.  The Thunder lead 26-16 before Keegan Cox scored the last five points of the half for the Bluejays, but did miss a couple foul shots as Sabetha was a mere 2 of 11 at the charity stripe on the night.  Nemaha put the game away with a 13-5 third period and improved to 13-3 overall with an 11-1 record along a top the Big 7 League. 

Mitchell Henry scored 14 points for the Thunder; however seniors Nate Beck and Enneking shared "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha as they both scored more than four above their season average.  Beck was perfect in five foul shots and scored 13 points while Enneking not only had two early trifecta's, but hit back-to-back long jumpers to start the second half and finish with 12 points.  The Thunder also made 12 of 15 free throws. 

Sabetha was led by Eric Renyer with 11 points, but he and forward teammate Kyle Grimm were limited after each picked up a trio of fouls before halftime.  Joe Gruber added eight points as Sabetha fell to 8-8 overall and 7-5 in League play.