Game Report: Class B Semis

<h5><strong>Elkhorn 49 – Norris 33</strong></h5> <p>These two groups faced off twice before this season, Norris winning both games by double digits. It was clear from the opening tip this one would be different, though. The length of the Elkhorn zone defense bothered the Titans for most of the night. Norris’ undersized point guard duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1149898" first="Cade" last="Rice"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1031430" first="Izaiah" last="Pankoke-Johnson"]</strong> struggled to penetrate the zone early because their passing lanes were smothered. The shots they did get were often tough runners or desperate fadeaways once the offense stalled. At halftime Elkhorn led 22–4, and it was no fluke. Norris was playing loose with the ball and hesitant in their decisions, while their opponent was playing free and sharp.</p> <p>Several of the most successful offensive possessions by the Titans resulted in a good look from three from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1149906" first="Brayson" last="Mueller"]</strong>, but unfortunately for him and his team, he had possibly his worst shooting performance of the year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="971732" first="Trey" last="Deveaux"] </strong>was a bright spot for this Norris team, and did his best to keep this one close. He was a deterrent at the rim, punishing most who challenged him inside, and earning his team a few extra possessions via the rebound. Elkhorn’s <strong>Drew Christo </strong>and <strong>Dane Petersen</strong> followed up their terrific quarterfinals performances with another great game, this time combining for 29 points and 9 rebounds. Pankoke-Johnson was finally able to penetrate the Elkhorn defense with the dribble in the final quarter, and his teammates began to knock down some of those open looks they had been missing, but every mini-run by Norris was matched, and this one never reached an uncomfortable margin for Elkhorn.</p> <h5><strong>Beatrice 41 – Waverly 29</strong></h5> <p>Beatrice led by seven at halftime thanks to some early shotmaking from seniors <strong>Devin Smith </strong>and <strong>Bennett Crandall</strong>, but it wasn’t very pretty for either side. Waverly turned it over three times in the second quarter and their half-court offense was stagnant.</p> <p>In the third, the Vikings dialed up the defensive pressure and forced some turnovers which they were able to convert into points in transition. Entering the fourth quarter, Waverly found themselves only down one, but senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="890473" first="Kaden" last="Glynn"]</strong> took over for the Orangemen. After facilitating for most of the game, Glynn scored 10 his 13 total points in the fourth, shooting 8/8 at the free throw line, and ended Waverly’s hopes of a comeback and State Finals appearance. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>#5 Elkhorn will face #6 Beatrice Saturday at 2:00 PM to decide the Class B championship.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>