LINCOLN – The Yutan Chieftains battled it out with the two-time defending C2 State Champion BRLD Wolverines in the semifinals of the Boys State Basketball Tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln last night.
Both teams, at different points, lead the game by double-digits. The Chieftains would battle back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 47 with 1:47 to play. Yutan Coach Jesse Gardner instructed his team to play for the final shot of the game. That strategy paid off:
The officials would determine that 2.2 seconds were left in the contest. The Wolverines could only get the ball to mid-court and the clock would run out, and so Yutan dethroned the State Champions, and advanced to the C2 Title game with a 49-47 victory.
Senior Brady Timm, who hit the game winning shot, led Yutan with 18 points. Isaiah Daniell added 13. The Wolverines were led by Dylan Beutler with 12 points. Micah Henschen added 11.
BRLD, 19-5, was denied playing in the state championship game for the fourth straight season, and will play Hartington CC in the C2 consolation game at 2pm today at Lincoln North Star.
Yutan has not won a boys state basketball championship, since 1924. Now 24-2, the Chieftains will play Grand Island Central Catholic in the championship game on Saturday night at 8:45 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game will be broadcast on Mix 105.5, FM.
Other district action:
In other semifinal round action yesterday, in D2, Parkview Christian defeated St. Mary’s 62-53. Falls City Sacred Heart downed Humphrey St. Francis, 60-49. In D1, Howells-Dodge defeated previously unbeaten Burwell, 76-45. Humphrey/Lindsey Holy Family downed North Platte St. Pat’s 52-39. In C2, GICC defeated Hartington CC 64-40.
In consolation action today, St. Mary’s plays Humphrey St. Francis at 9am, in D2. In D1, Burwell plays North Platte St. Pat’s at 11:30am, and at 2pm, in C2, Hartington CC plays BRLD. The consolation games are at Lincoln North Star.
In semifinal round action today, Auburn and Omaha Concordia play at 9am, while Wayne and Adams Central play at 11:15, in C1. In B, Norris takes on Elkhorn at 1:30pm, while Waverly plays Beatrice at 4pm. Tonight in Class A, Millard North plays Millard West at 6:15 before Bellevue West takes on Omaha Creighton Prep at 8:30.
