In one of the best atmospheres and rivalries in Northeast Kansas the Nemaha Central Thunder played host to the Sabetha Bluejays in the opening round of the Class 3A Hiawatha Sub-State Monday night and it was the host Thunder who made clutch plays late to advance 44-39.

It was an absolute dog fight throughout with Sabetha starting hot and racing out to a 12-4 advantage early in the first quarter behind a pair of Gabe Garber 3-pointers before Nemaha went on a 4-0 run to end the quarter and trail just 12-8 going into the second.

In the second the Thunder defense came alive and forced Sabetha into five turnovers while holding the Bluejays to just three points in the quarter giving Nemaha Central a 16-15 advantage at the half on the back of Kurtis Beck who scored eight points in the first half.

The third quarter was back-and-forth with both teams making big shots including Sabetha’s Braden Argabright who scored eight quick points in the quarter, but it was still Nemaha Central who led 30-27 going into the fourth after Beck scored five more points.

Sabetha then actually tied the game early in the fourth on another triple from Argabright, but the Bluejays had a pair of costly turnovers late and Nemaha Central took advantage at the free throw line with Marcus Beck going 6-of-8 from the stripe in the fourth to ice the game away for the Thunder.

Nemaha, a team that shoots just 53 percent from the line as a team, shot 15-of-21 for the game led by Beck who was 7-of-10 while Kurtis Beck was 5-of-7.

Marcus was named our “Player to Bank On” on KMZA with his clutch free throw shooting as he finished with nine points while Kurtis led the way with 13 points.

Sabetha in the loss had Braden Argabright score 14 points which were all in the second half while Gabe Garber added 12 as the Bluejays wrap up their season with a record of 10-11.

Nemaha Central improves to 15-6 with the win and head into the semifinals in Hiawatha on Thursday where they face Maur Hill-Mount Academy who beat ACCHS 55-17 on Monday with tip off scheduled for 6 pm.

Nemaha Central: Kurtis Beck – 13, Marcus Beck – 9, Andrew Leonard – 9, Eric Hammes – 7, Bryce Uphaus – 6.

Sabetha: Braden Argabright – 14, Gabe Garber – 12, Drew Schmelzle – 4, Kaleb Evans – 4, Kaleb Grimm – 3, Darrin Funk – 2.