Two big matchups on Friday night took place at Nemaha Central high school as it was the Thunder girls taking home the win in game one while the Royal Valley boys cruised in the nightcap. 

Girls: Royal Valley 29, Nemaha Central 45

The Panthers jumped out to a quick start in the first quarter as they finished the first eight minutes with a 13-8 lead. 

The Thunder would bounce back with a dominant second quarter as they would outscore Royal Valley 12-1 to take a 20-14 halftime lead. 

They would extend that lead to 13 at the end of the third quarter and they were able to close it out the rest of the way. 

The Thunder defense forced Royal Valley into 26 turnovers and they got to the free throw line 32 times and were able to connect on 16 of them while Royal Valley went just three of nine from the stripe. 

The Thunder have won five straight and improve to 13-4 and 9-2 in Big 7 league play while the Panthers drop to 7-10 and 3-9 in Big 7 league play. 

Sabetha knocked off Jefferson West so Nemaha Central now owns first place atop the league with just two weeks left in the regular season as they look to capture their fifth straight league title. 

Boys: Royal Valley 62, Nemaha Central 42

This was a battle of two of the best teams in Class 3A as the Panthers are ranked number one while the Thunder were fourth in the latest rankings from the KBCA. 

Both teams were coming off a loss and this game was crucial in creating a little separation towards atop of the league standings. 

Royal Valley led 15-11 after the end of the first quarter and they just slowly continued to build their lead throughout the rest of the game. 

The Panthers led by nine at halftime and built it to 16 at the end of the third quarter. 

The two teams combined to shoot 51 free throws as the Panthers went 17/26 from the line while Nemaha Central finished 13/25 at the line. 

Nahcs Wahwassuck dominated for Royal Valley as the senior poured in a game high 28 points while K.J. Miller added 18 points and eight rebounds as Royal Valley improves to 16-1 and 11-1 in Big 7 league play. 

The Thunder were led by Marcus Beck with 16 points and nine rebounds while his brother Kurtis added eight points and nine rebounds as the Thunder dropped their second straight and sit at 14-3 overall and 8-3 in league play. 

Panthers control their destiny for their third straight league title while Sabetha sits at 9-2 while the Thunder are 8-3 atop the standings. 

Up next for both on Tuesday, Nemaha Central hosts Jefferson West while Royal Valley travels to Hiawatha.