Despite a slow start the Nemaha Central boys basketball team made shots and plays when they needed to, moving on in the Class 3A sub-state tournament at Marysville with an opening round win Tuesday at home over Pleasant Ridge 51-31.

It was a struggle offensively early on for both sides, as Nemaha Central was able to get off to just a 6-5 lead after the first quarter.

The Thunder extended their lead to 10 at halftime, 22-12, using a 7-0 run to start the second quarter behind seven points from senior Dalton Schmelzle.

Nemaha Central put the game out of reach with a 16-10 third quarter, as Schmelzle continued to dominate down low scoring six more points in the frame.

Pleasant Ridge was able to trim a 20 points deficit down to 15 early in the fourth, but in the end couldn’t get anything going offensively.

The Rams end their season with a record of 9-12, and say goodbye to just two seniors; Jamar Reed and Trevor Lawson.

Nemaha Central improves to 15-6 with the victory, and advances to the semifinal round of the 3A Marysville sub-state Friday where they will take on rival Sabetha at 7:30 pm with live coverage on 103.9 KNZA.

Nemaha Central: Dalton Schmelzle – 15, Matt Baumgartner – 11, Cole Kramer – 6, Andrew Leonard – 5, Austin Gerety – 5, Marcus Beck – 4, Jon Stallbaumer – 2, Bryce Uphaus – 2, Dylan Schiltejans – 1.

Pleasant Ridge: Connor Gibson – 9, Jamar Reed – 7, Dawson Douthitt – 6, Matthew Schmidt – 5, Trevor Lawson – 2.