FREMONT – North Bend Central and Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons Decatur advanced from the semifinal round of the boys East Husker Conference Basketball Tournament winning games held Friday night at Midland University in Fremont and aired on 107.9 The Bull.
The first semifinal featured NBC vs Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family.
H/LHF ran out to a quick start, taking a 16-8 lead after the first quarter.
The Bulldogs were held to just six points in the second quarter, but still led NBC 22-16 at halftime.
NBC outscored H/LHF 8-3 in the third quarter, but still trailed 25-24 heading into the fourth.
The Tigers were able to gain a lead in the fourth quarter. They led by as many as five points twice, but H/LHF cut it to one point both times.
The Tigers were leading 35-34 with 6.5 second left and H/LHF had the ball for a chance to win. Bret Hanis attempted a three pointer from the top of the key that was blocked by Jaxon Wietfeld. The Blocked shot went straight to Aiden Weidner who was able to get off one more shot for the Bulldogs, but it missed off the right side of the rim, preserving the win for NBC.
Wietfeld led the Tigers with 11 points. Austin Endorf added eight, and Brodey Johnson hit two crucial three pointers in the fourth quarter.
Jason Sjuts had 14 points for H/LHF, with Hanis adding 10.
NBC remains unbeaten at 19-0, while H/LHF is now 18-3.
The second semifinal match up pitted BRLD vs Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.
The game got off to a slow start, with BRLD leading just 6-2 after the first quarter, but picked up in the second, with the Wolverines up 21-15 at the half.
LVSS outscored BRLD 10-6 in the third quarter, but the Wolverines still claimed a 27-25 advantage after three.
The Raiders were able to keep the score within one to two possessions throughout much of the fourth quarter, before they were forced to foul in order to stop the clock.
BRLD made free throws down the stretch and were able to pull away late for a 40-31 win.
Lucas Vogt had 19 points for BRLD, and Trystain Roseberry led LVSS with 13.
BRLD improved to 18-0 on the season, and pushed their winning streak to 41 games in a row. LVSS is now 15-5.
LVSS will play H/LHF for third place on Saturday at 4:15.
NBC and BRLD will meet for the East Husker Conference Tournament Championship Saturday evening at around 7:45.
Both games will be broadcast on 107.9 The Bull.
