Postseason-like atmosphere was in the building during Thursday evening’s Class C1-5 subdistrict boys basketball final.
From the Wayne Jr/Sr High School gymnasium, #1 Wayne entertained #2 Boys Town for a trip to the district final with standing room only.
The host Blue Devils held off a late rally from the Cowboys to win 55-42.
Earlier this season, Boys Town won a home 56-52 double overtime contest over Wayne.
On Thursday, Wayne began with a 17-14 first quarter followed by an 11-5 advantage in the second quarter to go up 28-19 at half. WHS would build their lead up to 12 points early in the third quarter as both teams scored 12 points in the frame to remain a nine-point game.
Boys Town went on a 6-0 scoring surge to pull within three points early in the fourth before the Blue Devils countered with a 9-0 run including a pair of three’s at the shot clock buzzer from sophomore Jaxson Kneifl and senior Gavin Redden. Wayne won the fourth, 15-11 and picked up a 55-42 victory to improve to 21-5 as Boys Town ended their season at 13-11.
Wayne High leaders were senior Colson Nelsen with 19 points (7-9 FT/four made three’s), Kneifl followed with 18 points on six made three’s as Redden added nine points.
Other scoring came from senior Kaden Keller with five points as junior Jace Jorgensen tallied four points.
The Blue Devils shot 9-13 (6-8 in fourth) from the foul line.
Boys Town was led in scoring by senior Marqas Gray with 13 points as fellow senior Nyree Poteet added nine points.
The Cowboys finished 2-8 at the charity stripe.
Wayne earned the #8 seed and will host #9 Sidney during the C1-8 District final with the winner advancing to state. Per Wayne Athletic Director Dave Wragge, the game will be played in Wayne on Monday, March 3 at 4:30 p.m.
District final brackets will be posted here. Classes C1/C2 will have top eight host bottom eight while Classes D1/D2 will have high seed host unless distance is greater than 180 miles, then will be at a neutral site.
The 2025 NSAA Boys State Basketball Championships will be played in Lincoln from Wednesday, March 12 – Saturday, March 15.
