The Nemaha Central girls capped an undefeated season with a perfect 24-0 record and a 45-35 quarterfinal win against Osage City at the 3A State Tournament on Thursday in Hutchinson.  Unfortunetly, a few hours later, KSHSAA cancelled the remainder of the state high school basketball tournaments because of escalating concerns of he COVID-19 virus and the Thunder will not have a chance to play their semifinal rematch from a year ago versus Cheney or vie for their first state girls hoop title in school history.  

Nemaha Central led 7-0 more than seven minutes into their game and was never threatened by the #8 seed Indians. The Thunder led 25-12 at halftime and by as many as 15 points, while Osage City never got closer than nine points in the second half. Nemaha struggled with just 1-12 shooting from three-point land and also made only 12 of 21 free throws in the game, but did hit 7 of 11 in the fourth quarter to keep the margin comfortable. 

Alleigh Kramer finished with 17 points while Riley Rotinghaus and Emma Elder each chipped in eight. Osage City had 14 turnovers and was led by Haden Serna with 12 points while Danielle Kerns scored 11 and Taylin Kirkpatrick added 10 before the Indians finished their cinderella season 13-11.   

It was a bitter-sweet end to the year for the Lady Thunder, who most considered a favorite to cap an undefeated season with a state championship in their fourth straight state appearance.  The three time Big 7 league champs will lose all-stater Alleigh Kramer as well as Elder and Kristen Lortcher, but everyone else returns for 10th year Coach Hadden Hiltgen.