It was the second meeting between Nemaha County Big 7 League rivals on Tuesday night in Seneca with strong second-half performances determining the split. 

GIRLS = Sabetha 41, Nemaha Central 31

Riding a 39-game win streak, Nemaha Central came out on fire and led 14-2 at the end of one quarter with Riley Rottinghaus posting seven points inside. However, the 6'2, senior picked up her second foul near the end of the first period and did not return until after halftime.  Sabetha took advantage inside with Leah Renyer and Nicole Stallbaumer each posting six points with the Jays going on a 8-0 run to pull within 18-14 at halftime. 

Nemaha Central made only one field goal in the second quarter and again only one shot in the third quarter against the Sabetha strong zone defense, but the Thunder still held a 22-21 lead entering the fourth frame. The Bluejays took the lead early in the fourth quarter and went up 28-24 with five minutes to play, capitalizing on 7 of the 18 total Nemaha turnovers in the final stanza.  Sabetha had not attempted a free throw the entire game, but calmly hit 14 of 17 in the fourth quarter to protect their lead down the stretch and hold on for the road win.

Renyer had a monster night with 22 points with 13 of those during a 20-9 fourth quarter for the Jays. Sabetha avenged a three-point loss earlier in the year and improved to 13-2 overall and 7-2 in the Big 7, stopping the Nemaha win streak and consecutive league victories at 25 in a row. 

Besides the foul trouble for Rottinghaus, who finished with a team-high 12 points, Nemaha played the game without Hannah Macke who left early with a shoulder injury. Cassidy Corby was held to just a pair of treys and scored half her season average with eight total points. The Lady Thunder are now 15-1 overall and still led the Big 7 with a 9-1 mark but have road games now at another ranked 3A team in Royal Valley on Friday then at Jeff West next week.   

BOYS = Nemaha Central 63, Sabetha 43

This game was close for a half with the Thunder leading 28-23 at intermission. However, Nemaha attacked the basket getting four and-one opportunities in the third quarter while scoring 23 points to put the game out of reach. NC made 13 of 21 free throws on the night while Sabetha went 0-5 at the charity stripe. 

Nemaha Central has four players that average scoring in double-digits and that was the case with another balanced attack on Tuesday. Landen Baker scored 13 while Marcus Beck had 11 and Zac Kramer and Kurtis Beck each added 10. The Thunder improved to 12-3 overall and took over sole possession of first place in the Big 7 League at 9-1 as Royal Valley dropped their second straight game and the Panthers host the Thunder on Friday in Hoyt.  

Sabetha is now 2-13 on the season and got 12 points from Marcus Bauman while fellow freshman Christian McAfee and sophomore Matthew Garber each added 8. Braden Menold hit two of the Bluejays seven three-pointers to finish with 10 points as Sabetha played without leading scorer and rebounder Kaleb Evans and will host Jeff West on Friday.  

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:"

Leah Renyer of Sabetha and Zac Kramer for Nemaha Central