The Nemaha Central boys basketball team outlasted St. Marys on Saturday afternoon 53-45 to win the 11th Annual Thunder Classic Championship. 

The Thunder entered the game 11-0 and ranked #6 in Class 3A while the Bears entered the game 10-0 and #8 in Class 3A. 

The Nemaha Central defense was the story all week and has been all season. The Thunder are allowing just 30 points per game and held the Bears to just 16 first half points with the score 22-16 at the break. 

The Thunder posted an impressive 15-6 advantage in the third quarter and led the game by 15 going into the fourth quarter. 

The Bears would make it a game as they scored more points in the fourth quarter than the first three quarters of the game with 23 but it wasn't enough to get the win. 

The Thunder were led by Colby Frehe with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks while Kaden Peterson finished the game with 14 points and Evan Olberding added nine points. 

The Bears were led by Howie Rezac with 13 points and six rebounds while Brady Hurla finished with 11 points and Ben DeVader with eight points. 

It's the second time in the last four Thunder Classic tournaments that Nemaha Central has won as they also won the tourney in 2022. 

Nemaha Central and St. Marys are both undefeated in Big East league play and will get back to it next week. The two teams will meet up at St. Marys in their regular season matchup slated for Feb. 11.