3A Sub-State Semi-Final Report, Nemaha Central at Halstead

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big East League's Nemaha Central traveled to Halstead (18-1) to take on the #2 ranked and #2 seed Dragons in a Halstead sub-state semi-final match-up. The #7 seed Thunder (14-6) started the season 0-3. Including a pair of overtime losses, the last five losses were by a total of 22 points. The Halstead's only loss this season was to #1 ranked Hesston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The low scoring affair included a few lead changes but Halstead lead at the end of each quarter. Up 26-17 at the end of the third the Dragons briefly pushed the lead to double digits early in the fourth. The Thunder sliced the lead to two points with just under a minute to go but could get no closer. The Dragons hit their free throws at the end and took a 36-28 win. Halstead will play #11 seed Marysville (11-11) in a sub-state final Thursday, March 7, for a trip to the 3A state tournament. Several players caught my attention during the game. Take a look below at some of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='884873' first='Jordy' last='Schroeder'], 5'8", CG, Halstead, 2027 - Schroeder's established herself as a scoring threat after hitting a pair of early buckets. Attracting extra defensive attention on the perimeter she would not score again until hitting three free throws late in the fourth. Her length and physicality on both ends of the floor yielded several rebounds and contributed to limiting good scoring looks by Thunder players. The Dragons love the transition game and Schroeder was a big part of any opportunities generated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='544036' first='Addisen' last='Wills'], 5'5", PG, Halstead, 2026 - Wills' scoring off the dribble with short, challenged jumpers and floaters was huge. As was getting out in transition for chances on the fly. She wound up leading all scorers with 15 points. She showed consistent speed, strong on-the-ball defense and headiness overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaci Young</strong>, 5'4", PG, Halstead, 2025 - Young showed her strength as a quick, on-ball defender and smart rebounder. She pushed temp quickly off the rebound, giving her teammates several chances to pick up easy buckets and looks from broken play type situations. She struggled at the line through most of the fourth quarter but found her range late and hit a couple to help seal the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210194' first='Emma' last='Hermesch']</strong>, 5'8", SF, Nemaha Central, 2027 - Hermesch showed me that she was the Thunder's best pure scorer by doing so with athleticism and quickness. She used her length well to pick up shot blocks, rebound and to be disruptive on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210198' first='Kennedy' last='McKee']</strong>, 5'6", SG, Nemaha Central, 2028 - The Thunder did not show much in the way of a perimeter shooting game but most of what they showed belonged to McKee. She hit a pair of quick release, smooth threes off the catch. One she hit game the Thunder a lead early in the second quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zoey Sudbeck</strong>, 5'7", SF/PF, Nemaha Central, 2025 - Sudbeck was fun to watch rebounding. She showed quick and strong straight-up hops, frequently out-jumping everyone in a crowd. She kept many balls alive that she could not just snag. Sudbeck also showed quickness and athleticism as a scorer. She had a very slick across-the-lane slice for a tough score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->