Class C1 District Finals Preview
Class C1 has been as balanced a class as you can find this year. A few teams have been consistently near the top of the rankings, but there have been some upstarts and upsets throughout the year. When you get…
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Continue ReadingClass C1 has been as balanced a class as you can find this year. A few teams have been consistently near the top of the rankings, but there have been some upstarts and upsets throughout the year. When you get down to 32 minutes away from a state tournament, anything can happen. Let’s take a look at the key players and match-ups for this weekend.
DISTRICT C-1 FINAL: (16) Louisville vs. (1) Lincoln Christian
Key player: Lincoln Christian has faced a daunting schedule all season, and they have come out as the number one seed in C1. Olivia Hollenbeck‘s 14 points and seven rebounds a game have been consistent against this high level competition, so it will be up to Faye Jacobsen to match and probably exceed the Fort Hays State signee to give the Lions a chance Friday night.
Outlook: Although Louisville comes into this one with a 12-12 mark, they will not be intimidated by the Crusaders and the moment. I think that Louisville has enough to keep this competitive for a half, but the combination of Hollenbeck and junior guard Makylee Ailes will help the Crusaders pull away in the second half and head home to Lincoln for another state tournament appearance.
DISTRICT C-2 FINAL: (15) Omaha Roncalli vs. (2) Chadron
Key player: Chadron has been perhaps the most dominant squad in the panhandle region this year, running up a record of 23-2, but Omaha Roncalli has had the benefit of playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. Abbey Schwarz is one of the fastest players in the state, and Roncalli, as a team, can cause problems with their overall athleticism.
Outlook: This figures to play out to be a pretty tight game. Roncalli’s battle-tested crew will not be intimidated, and last year Roncalli had to go out to Sidney to compete in the district final, so they will have learned from the long road trip and know what to expect. However, I do think the homecourt will help carry Chadron to another state tournament appearance, their first in several years.
DISTRICT C-3 FINAL: (14) Norfolk Catholic vs. (3) North Bend-Central
Key player: North Bend-Central has been dominant this season, led by Lauren Emanuel, with their only two losses by a combined two points to Oakland-Craig. Hanna Neesen leads a balanced attack for Norfolk Catholic, averaging 11.4 points a night, and she will need to have a big night to give the Knights a chance.
Outlook: Norfolk Catholic has had a good run, beating Guardian Angels Central Catholic in the conference tournament, while their only two losses in the last month have been to C2 power Crofton. However, North Bend Central has just been too good this year, and I think they are going to cruise to a pretty easy win this weekend.
DISTRICT C-4 FINAL: (13) Adams Central vs. (4) Broken Bow
Key player: The guard play for Broken Bow has been outstanding all year. Kya Scott has averaged almost 13 points a game, while Majasta Valasek has nailed 42 3-point shots in leading the Indians on their current 17-game winning streak. However, don’t let Adams Central’s 15-10 record fool you; they have played a terrific schedule fo C1 and C2’s best teams, including Grand Island Northwest twices, Hastings and Hastings St. Cecilia.
Outlook: Like the C-2 district game, this is going to go down to the wire. In the end, I like the experience that Adams Central has in this situation and the belief that “steel sharpens steel”. It’s going to be a great game that could go either way, but I think the Patriots make a return trip to Lincoln.
DISTRICT C-5 FINAL: (12) Syracuse vs. (5) St. Paul
Outlook: Both teams come into this match-up on a roll; Syracuse has won 10 games in a row, while St. Paul has ran off 15 consecutive victories. Both teams have played competitive schedules, with Syracuse owning impressive wins over Platteview and Wahoo, while St. Paul has defeated both Hastings Adams Central and Broken Bow earlier this season. I like St. Paul in this match-up, but this is going to be a very competitive game.
DISTRICT C-6 FINAL: (11) Malcolm vs. (6) Ogallala
Key player: Senior Jaedy Commins has led the Indians of Ogallala all season, and she, along with fellow senior Kaylee Wach, will have to match their 20 points a night and perhaps exceed it to lead the Indians back to the state tournament. Malcolm is led by two dynamice freshman, Alyssa Fortik (12.4 ppg) and Emma Brown (7 points, 6 rpg), and they have performed well all season.
Outlook: Both teams have chinks in their armor. Ogallala has not played a great schedule, and they have lost most of their games to higher quality opponents. Malcolm has played a tougher schedule, but they have lost three of their last four games and are dependant on their freshman to perform in a high pressure situation. Because of the overall experience of Ogallala, I am going to go with the Indians, but this also figures to be a tough game.
DISTRICT C-7 FINAL: (7) Milford vs. (10) West Point-Beemer
Key player: Sidney Swanson has led West Point-Beemer back in position to make a claim for another state tournament appearance. She has been on a tear this season, averaging 20 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 steals a night. The Cadets have won 14 out of their last 15, including giving Oakland-Craig their only loss of the season, so they are peaking at the right time.
Outlook: As the seeding gets tighter, you figure that the games get more competitive, and this one is no exception. Milfold has played a great schedule, which has not allowed to run off a big streak. In a one game playoff, however, I like having the best player on the floor, so the nod goes to West Point-Beemer in what figures to be a tight one to the very end.
DISTRICT C-8 FINAL: (9) Wahoo vs. (8) Chase County
Key player: Speaking of great point guard play, Kendal Brigham has been on a tear for Linda Walker’s Warriors. Brigham has led the Warriors to an 11-3 run, with two of those losses to Syracuse and a sub-district overtime loss to North Bend-Central, while averaging almost 18 a night. She is the undisputed leader of the Warriors in their quest to return to Lincoln.
Outlook: Although Chase County is the higher seed, they have played a much easier overall schedule than Wahoo, with 10 Class D1 or D2 games on their schedule this season. That, coupled with how well the Warriors are playing right now, gives the edge to Wahoo and to give Coach Walker another shot at that elusive state championship.