Nevermind the fact that Sabetha didn't touch the ball the final 65 seconds of regulation or the first 3:55 of overtime. In another epic battle of state ranked, Big 7, and Nemaha County rivals, the Lady Bluejays prevailed on their home court 27-24 on Saturday to advance to the 3A State Tournament for the first time since 2016.  The Lady Jays (20-2) somehow never trailed after early in the second quarter and no doubt dominated on defense before getting their only four free throws made on the night from Melinna Schuman in the final 1:35 of the second overtime to secure the Sub State title. 

The Bluejays had avenged their first loss of the season with an overtime thrilling win on Thursday in the semifinals against a ranked Royal Valley squad (44-41) before winning the rubber match with Nemaha on Saturday and handing the Thunder just their second loss in the last two years, which denied a fifth straight state apperance for NC.

A lot of cat and mouse was played down the stretch as Sabetha played a stingy two-three zone defense 99 percent of the night.  That included allowing Nemaha to hold the ball for the last 65 seconds of regulation with the game tied at 21. Yet, the Jays never allowed a shot. Then, in overtime, Nemaha held the ball for two and a half minutes near half court with Sabetha sitting back in their zone and the Jays jumped into a man defense for all of about 25 seconds before a Thunder timeout. The Bluejays were back in their zone following the timeout, but again didn't allow Nemaha to get a shot despite staying on offense for 3:57 as Emily Krebs forced a jump ball. The Bluejays missed a desperation trey at the end of overtime and the game was still tied at 21. 

Following a basket by Leah Renyer in the second OT, Schumann was fouled with 1:25 left and made both free throws for a 25-21 Sabetha lead, which was the biggest margin of the night for either team. Hannah Macke answered with a triple to pull Nemaha within 24-23, but Schumann hit two more free throws with 50 seconds remaining for the 27-24 final tally. Nemaha missed a tough three by Addy Holthaus on the right wing in the closing seconds and ended their season with a 21-2 record after going 24-0 last season. Riley Rottinghaus had 10 points for the Thunder but fellow senior and leading scorer Cassidy Corby was held to just three points and missed a front-end one-and-one free throw in the second overtime. Nemaha made only 3-8 free throws on the night, all in the fourth quarter and overtime sessions. 

Sabetha was 0-7 at the charity stripe on the night going into the second overtime when Schumann finally toed the line and knocked down four for the win. She scored nine points while Renyer had 10 as the Bluejays won their 11th consecutive game and will have a rematch against Silver Lake on Monday at 6 PM in the first round of the 3A State Tournament.  Sabetha, who earlier this school year won their first state volleyball title, will host the Eagles (13-10) after beating them 44-33 on the road in late January this season.  

Click link to listen to live game broadcast as well as post-game interview with Coach Nate Baumann of Sabetha and Bluejay seniors Leah Renyer and Nicole Stallbaumer.