Class C1 State Tournament Preview
GAME 1: #1 Lincoln Christian (21-3) vs. #8 Malcolm (19-6) LOCATION: Devaney Sports Center TIME: 9:00 AM KEY PLAYERS FOR LINCOLN CHRISTIAN: The Crusaders return to the state tournament for the 23rd time, and they have a great chance to…
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Continue ReadingGAME 1: #1 Lincoln Christian (21-3) vs. #8 Malcolm (19-6)
LOCATION: Devaney Sports Center
TIME: 9:00 AM
KEY PLAYERS FOR LINCOLN CHRISTIAN: The Crusaders return to the state tournament for the 23rd time, and they have a great chance to go home with some hardware. Fort Hays State signee Olivia Hollenbeck Olivia Hollenbeck 6'3" | PF Lincoln Christian | 2020 State NE (14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) should command the paint all weekend, along with 6’0″ classmate Alexis Johnson (8.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg). Another senior, guard Allyson Korte, is a steay influence who does all the little things. Christian is looking to take things one step further this season and cut down the nets early Saturday afternoon.
KEY PLAYERS FOR MALCOLM: The Clippers might be the youngest team in the entire field of 48, with no seniors on the roster. Two freshman, Alyssa Fortik (12.5 ppg, 3.1 spg) and Emma Brown (7.5 ppg, 6.2 ppg) have led them all season, with support from junior Joslyn Small Joslyn Small 5'6" | SG Malcolm | 2021 NE (7.3 ppg). This match-up might be a bit too much for Malcolm Thursday morning, but it could be a precursor for a great run over the next couple of years.
GAME 2: #4 St. Paul (23-2) vs. #5 Wahoo (18-7)
LOCATION: Devaney Sports Center
TIME: 10:45 AM
KEY PLAYERS FOR ST. PAUL: It is a family affair for the Wildcats, who are at the state tournament for the first time in decades. Brooke Poppert Brooke Poppert 5'10" | SF St. Paul | 2020 State NE , a 5’11” senior, is throwing in 19 points a night, while sister Olivia Poppert Olivia Poppert 5'11" | CG St. Paul | 2022 State NE , a sophomore, chips in 11 points and 7.3 rebounds. Someone from their supporting cast will have to step up for the Wildcats, while also being concerned that the bright lights might also be too much for the Wildcats.
KEY PLAYERS FOR WAHOO: On the other bench is veteran head coach Linda Walker, who has righted the ship for the Warriors, who are 12-3 in their last 15 games. Senior guard Kendal Brigham Kendal Brigham 5'7" | SG Wahoo | 2020 State NE (17.4 ppg) has been the catalyst for Wahoo, but she has nice support from underclassmen Toni Greenfield, Taylor Luben and Autumn Iversen, sho are all averaging around six points a night. Wahoo’s momentum, experience and tough schedule may be too much for St. Paul to overcome.
GAME 3: #2 Chadron (23-2) vs. #7 Hastings Adams Central (16-10)
LOCATION: Devaney Sports Center
TIME: 2:00 PM
KEY PLAYERS FOR CHADRON: From the Sandhills comes the Cardinals of Chadron, who have been outstanding all season long, with not alot of people knowing just how good they are. Sophomore forward Olivia Reed (17 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 spg) is the stat-stuffer for Chadron, but seniors Shea Bailey (12.3 ppg) and Tyleigh Strotheid (6.5 ppg) have also been key contributors for the Cardinals. Chadron has been dominant all season, but will the higher level of play in Lincoln give the Cardinals fits?
KEY PLAYERS FOR HASTINGS ADAMS CENTRAL: Another school that has ran the gauntlet of a tremendous schedule, the Patriots have battled some of the best teams in the state and came up with an upset over Broken Bow in the district final. No one on the roster averages double digits, but seniors Bryn Land (9.5 ppg), Kylie Dierks (8.4 ppg) and sophomore Jessica Babcock (9.1 ppg) will lead a tough, hardnosed Patriot squad into a wide open field.
GAME 4: #3 North Bend-Central (24-2) vs. #6 West Point-Beemer (23-5)
LOCATION: Devaney Sports Center
TIME: 3:45 PM
KEY PLAYERS FOR NORTH BEND-CENTRAL: Like St. Paul, North Bend-Central’s squad is a family affair. Senior Lauren Emanuel (10.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg), sophomore Sydney Emanuel (9.7 ppg) and freshman Kaitlyn Emanuel (8.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) have been outstanding for the Tigers, but they also have senior Megan Ortmeier (8.6 ppg) and junior Cierra Kluthe (7.1 ppg) round out a very complete starting lineup. Coach Aaron Sterup has a deep, athletic squad that has a great chance to make a run this weekend.
KEY PLAYERS FOR WEST POINT-BEEMER: Everything for the Cadets begins with outstanding junior guard Sidney Swanson Sidney Swanson 5'8" | PG West Point Beemer | 2021 State NE (20.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4 spg), and she has been a terrific catalyst for a rebuilding Cadet squad. Like Malcolm, West Point-Beemer does not have a senior on the roster, but she does have solid support from juniors Brooklyn Weddler (6.1 ppg), Rachel Groth (5.6 ppg) and sophomore Jadyn Meiergard (7.9 ppg). This is a tough match-up for the Cadets, but this could set the stage for a great run the next few years.
CLASS C1 STATE TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS: Lincoln Christian over Malcolm, Wahoo over St. Paul, Adams Central over Chadron, North Bend Central over West Point-Beemer
SEMI-FINALS: Lincoln Christian over Wahoo, North Bend-Central over Adams Central
FINALS: I picked Lincoln Christian at the outset of the season, but North Bend-Central has been so consistent all season long, and they have a bit of a lucky charm with them as well. I think it is going to be a great championship game, but I think North Bend-Central will neutralize Hollenbeck and take the title back to Highway 30 between Fremont and Schuyler.