It took a comeback fashion, great play down the stretch and strategic coaching for the Nemaha Valley Raiders to make the comeback from down by 12 at multiple times in the game against the Central Heights Vikings. Central Heights took control early, leading 15-8 after the first quarter, and stretching the lead to 12 at one-point in the first half, ultimately taking a 10 point lead into the break.
The second half would be different for the Raiders of Nemaha Valley as they would outscore the Vikings in the third and fourth quarters. Headed into the final frame, Nemaha Valley found themselves down by five points and then went on another stretch run to cut it even closer, finally taking the lead late in the game by one. They would stretch that lead out to three points and hold on from there to make the comeback and advance to the championship with a 50-47 win. The Raiders outscored Central Heights 18-6 in the fourth, but Central Heights had three good looks at the basket in the last few seconds to tie the game, they all just came up short.
Both teams shot well from the floor with Nemaha Valley hitting 46.3 and Central Heights going 47.7 percent from the field. Only 11 players for both teams scored in the game with all starters tallying at least two points for each squad. Six players scored for the Vikings with Cody Sluder leading the way with a game-high 16 points, connecting on 8-13 shots. For the Raiders, it would be only the starters to score in the game with three players accounting for all but six of the points. Senior, Alex Hermesch and junior, Creighton Brinker both finished with team-high 15 points, while junior, Trent Olberding added 14 points.
With the win Nemaha Valley now is 23-2 on the season and advances to the Class 3A state championship where they will take on the number one seed Scott City Beavers, who are the defending state champions. The game is at 6:15pm, Saturday and can be heard on 103.9 KNZA and www.mscnews.net
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