Silver Lake Class 3A Boys Sub State Semifinals on Thursday

Sabetha 49, Nemaha Central 46 in Overtime

The rubber match between Big 7 county rivals was certainly different than the 31-point Nemaha win or 13-point Sabetha win in earlier matchups this season. Although the game had some huge momentum swings, it came down to Sabetha making 8 of 10 free throws at the end of regulation and overtime to secure the win.

The Bluejays were ahead 13-10 when Davis Rokey caught fire and hit three straight triples to balooon the lead to 22-12. The Jays increased the margin to 27-13 and held a 29-17 haltime advantage. Yet, Nemaha Central went on a 15-3 run to tie the score at 32 with 2:21 to play and the Thunder led 36-34 entering the fourth frame following a 19-5 third period.

Nemaha had a lead and control of some lenghty possessions before Sabetha tied the game at 41 with 4:19 remaining. The Thunder would again retake the lead on two free throws by Cole Hermesch but Matthew Garber answered with a pair for the Bluejays to tie the game again at 43 with 1:40 to play. It appeared Nemaha might try to hold for one shot in the last 90 seconds, but some Sabetha pressure forced an over and back call with 32 second left that gave the Jays a chance to win. A shot by Rokey missed and we went to overtime where Garber made 6 of 8 free throws to win the game. 

Sabetha went 9 of 12 from the foul line with Garber going 8 for 10 himself in the final six minutes. Nemaha made just 3 of 9 free throws in the first half and 7 of 15 total on the night. Kurtis Beck scored 20 points to lead the Thunder including a trey for the only Nemaha points in overtime to pull within 48-46 with 25 second left before Garber hit another foul shot with 17 second to go and Beck missed a tough three from the top of the key to try to tie and force another overtime. 

Carter Lutz added 8 points while Wade Leonard had 5 as those guys combined for 11 points in the third quarter. Marcus Beck chipped in 7 as Nemaha Central ended their season with an 18-4 record and will graduate five senior starters. 

Sabetha got 18 points from Rokey while Garber added 16 and Marcus Bauman scored all 5 points in the third stanza for the Jays. Sabetha is 18-4 now after going 3-18 last year and will play Saturday night at 7 PM in Silver Lake with a third matchup against Big 7 foe Royal Valley.

Royal Valley 66, Marysville 40

It was another dominating effort for the Royal Valley boys who built a 33-17 halftime lead before going ahead by 41 points (65-24) before the starters exited and did not play at all in the fourth quarter. Nahcs Wahwassuck scored 15 of his 28 points in the third quarter and went 9 of 11 from the charity stripe. Brady Klotz added 14 points and KJ Miller had 13 while Mason Thomas had 8 all in less than three total quarters.  The Panthers improved to 21-1 on the season and are one step away from returning to state where they made their first trip in school history last year but didn't get to play in Hutchinson after losing in the first round at Rock Creek.  

Marysville won the fourth quarter 16-3 with a running clock getting several steals from their full court press and multiple offensive rebounds against the Royal Valley reserves. The Bulldogs end the season 10-12 and will graduate only one senior in Sam Jesperson who scored 9 points on three treys Thursday night while Rook Willilams scored 6 late points to finish with a team high 10. 

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha Players to Bank On:

Matthew Garber and Davis Rokey from Sabetha and Nahcs Wahwassuck of Royal Valley