After mother nature forced early starts and cancellations of several high school basketball games Friday night, the Nemaha Central girls and Jeff West boys each came away with wins in the Big 7 League doubleheader in Seneca.

GIRLS

In a matchup of top five ranked teams in Class 3A the Nemaha Central girls remained unbeaten on the year by overcoming an early deficit to take down Jeff West 44-36.

The Tigers started strong taking a 12-10 lead after the first quarter, but Nemaha Central forced Jeff West into seven second quarter turnovers to take the lead going into halftime 20-17.

The Thunder put the game out of reach forcing seven more turnovers in the third quarter while outscoring the Tigers 18-5 to lead 38-22 heading to the fourth.

Jeff West battled back though and pulled within eight points behind eight fourth quarter points from senior Aaliyah Negonsott, but Nemaha Central held on with junior Alleigh Kramer scoring six points in the fourth to finish with a game-high 19 points.

The No. 1-ranked Thunder (9-0, 7-0 Big 7) remain perfect on the year and won’t be back in action until Friday traveling to Marysville, while the No. 5-ranked Tigers (7-2, 5-2) will compete in the McLouth Invitational getting underway on Monday.

Nemaha Central: Alleigh Kramer – 19, Ashley Larkin – 9, Jacy Dalinghaus – 6, Hannah Macke – 2, Emma Elder – 2, Kirsten Lortscher – 2, Riley Rottinghaus – 2.

Jeff West: Aaliyah Negonsott – 18, Kristen Biltoff – 5, Neva Roenne – 5, Zoe Holthaus – 3, Jordan Negonsott – 3, Heather Kahler – 2.

BOYS

Behind 16 Nemaha Central turnovers, the Jeff West boys picked up a dominant road win Friday night taking down the Thunder 68-55.

The Thunder started well jumping out to a 14-12 lead behind eight first quarter points from senior Matt Baumgartner, but the Tigers battled back forcing five Nemaha Central turnovers in the second to take a 36-27 lead into the half led by sophomore Josh Broxterman’s 14 ponts.

Jeff West forced six more turnovers in the third to push their lead to 53-36 heading into the fourth and put the game out of reach with senior Zeth Unruh scoring eight of his 11 points in the quarter.

Broxterman had a huge night for the Tigers finishing with 23 points, while senior Cole Kramer led the Thunder with 23 points as well.

Jeff West (6-3 ,5-2 Big 7) hit seven 3-pointers and now will take part in the McLouth Invitational this week, while the Thunder (5-4, 3-4) will take part in their home tournament.

Jeff West: Josh Broxterman – 23, Brayden Cruz – 13, Quinn Nuenswander – 12, Zeth Unruh – 11, Bryce Clements – 4, Eli Uhler – 4, Ben Malloy – 1.

Nemaha Central: Cole Kramer – 23, Dalton Schmelzle – 15, Matt Baumgartner – 15, Bryce Uphaus – 2.