The Nemaha Central girls and Royal Valley boys picked up crucial Big 7 League wins on Friday night before the holiday break. 

Girls: Nemaha Central 35, Royal Valley 25

Both of these teams struggled offensively throughout the majority of the game, especially in the first half. 

The Thunder led 9-5 after the first quarter and 13-10 at halftime. 

Nemaha Central created space by outscoring the Panthers 14-5 in the third quarter and that was enough to hold off Royal Valley in the fourth quarter. 

The Thunder (3-2, 2-1 Big 7) were led by Addy Holthaus with 14 points and eight rebounds while Madison Lortscher added seven off the bench. 

The Panthers (2-3, 2-2 Big 7) were led in scoring by Shanokwe Price with seven while Morgan Davis added six off the bench. Kennedy Bryan was averaging 16 points per game and was held to just one point and two rebounds in the loss. 

Turnovers: Nemaha Central 17, Royal Valley 22

Rebounds: Nemaha Central 27, Royal Valley 24

Free Throws: Nemaha Central 8/15, Royal Valley 5/9 

Boys: Nemaha Central 53, Royal Valley 61

This game was a battle of undefeated ranked teams as both teams entered the game 4-0. The Panthers ranked #5 in Class 3A while the Thunder were right behind at #6. 

The first quarter was fast-paced as Royal Valley led 15-10 after the first eight minutes. Mason Thomas scored the first 11 points for the Panthers. 

Royal Valley was able to extend their lead to 34-21 at halftime as Nemaha Central trailed by as many as 16 in the second quarter. Thomas ended the first half with 20 points. 

Nemaha Central did not go away in this one as they fought back with a 13-8 advantage in the third quarter to trail 42-34 going into the fourth quarter. 

The Thunder fought all the way back and got to within two at 55-53 late in the game and had chances but missed shots and Royal Valley free throw shooting proved to be the difference in the end as the Panthers scored the final six points of the game. 

Thomas, Brady Klotz, and K.J. Miller scored all 61 points for the Panthers (5-0, 4-0 Big 7). Thomas and Miller each finished with 22 while Klotz chipped in the other 17. 

Nemaha Central (4-1, 2-1 Big 7) was led in scoring by Kurtis Beck with 20 points while his brother Marcus added 12 and Cooper Hajek contributed with 10 off the bench. 

Turnovers: Nemaha Central 14, Royal Valley 13

Rebounds: Nemaha Central 31, Royal Valley 23

Free Throws: Nemaha Central 5/9, Royal Valley 18/20 

Up next for both on Jan. 4th, Nemaha Central will host Sabetha and Royal Valley travels to Holton.