The Nemaha Central basketball teams picked up a pair of Big 7 league wins on Tuesday night at home against Riverside. 

Girls: Riverside 31, Nemaha Central 42

This game was for sole possession of first place in the Big 7. The Cyclones and Thunder both entered the game at 7-0 and 5-0 in league play. 

The game was low scoring and close in the first half as the Thunder led 21-18 at halftime after trailing by one at the end of the first quarter. 

Nemaha Central would outscore Riverside 21-13 in the second half to pull away for the win. 

The Thunder were led by our KNZA Player of the Game Addy Holthaus who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. They also got seven points apiece from Hallie Holthaus and Cami Dalinghaus. 

Riverside, who's off to their best start in school history, suffered their first loss of the season and was led by Taylor Weishaar who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and six blocks but fouled out early in the fourth quarter. 

The Cyclones also got six points from Sophie Juhl and five points from Abby O'Grady. 

The Thunder are now atop the Big 7 standings at 8-0 overall and 6-0 in league play while the Cyclones drop to second place in the league at 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league play. 

Boys: Riverside 43, Nemaha Central 55

This game was back and forth early with Nemaha Central leading by three at the end of the first quarter and by 12 at halftime. 

The Thunder built a lead as high as 16 points in the second half and they were able to hold off a couple of late pushes by the Cyclones. 

The Thunder were led by the KNZA Player of the Game Wade Leonard who finished with 16 points and seven rebounds while they also got 10 points from Brayden Uphaus. 

Riverside has now lost six games in a row and were led by Percy Duncan with 21 points and 10 rebounds while they also got eight points and 13 rebounds from Todrick Duncan. 

Thunder get back to .500 at 4-4 overall and 3-3 in Big 7 league play while the Cyclones drop to 1-7 overall and 0-6 in league play. 

Up next for both on Friday, Nemaha Central travels to Royal Valley while Riverside is on the road at Holton.