Sabetha and Nemaha Central battled on Tuesday night for their first games of the 2022 portion of the schedule, and it was a split as the Sabetha girls and Nemaha Central boys came out with wins. 

GIRLS: Sabetha 40, Nemaha Central 28 

This game was a tale of two halves as Nemaha Central jumped out to a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and then led 15-11 at halftime. 

Sabetha would come out and dominate the second half outscoring the Thunder 29-13 to win on the road 40-28. 

Mary Lukert led the way for the Jays with 17 points, 15 in the second half. Jessica Gruber added six points in quality minutes off the bench. 

Addy Holthaus led the way for the Thunder with 14 points and eight rebounds while Ella Larkin chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds. 

Sabetha improves to 2-4 and 2-2 in Big 7 play while the Thunder drop to 3-3 and 2-2 in Big 7 play. 

BOYS: Sabetha 46, Nemaha Central 77

Two of the best teams in the Big 7 league battled through the first eight minutes as Nemaha Central led 18-15 after the first quarter. 

The Thunder opened the second quarter scoring the first 12 points to build a 15 point lead and they never looked back en route to a monster win. 

They continued their run in the second half outscoring Sabetha 36-18. Kurtis Beck led the Thunder with 21 points, 19 in the first half. His twin brother Marcus added 19 points and six rebounds. Carter Lutz knocked in a few three's and finished with 13 points. 

Sabetha was led in scoring by Christian McAfee with 17 points, nine of those in the first quarter. Matthew Garber added 11 and Davis Rokey chipped in with eight. 

Both teams are now 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 7 league play as they are both a game back on Royal Valley in the standings who remain undefeated. 

Up next for both on Friday, Sabetha hosts Royal Valley while Nemaha Central is at home against Holton.