Knights Crowned Champs of Pioneer Conference for the First Time
After clutch free throws from sophomore Aspen Meyer, Lourdes Central Catholic leaves Johnson, Neb. with its first ever Pioneer Conference title.
By News Channel Nebraska
JOHNSON- In match-ups featuring both one and two seeds in the pioneer conference tournament, knights and trojans get the best of the Irish.
The undefeated Falls City Sacred Heart team fought tooth and nail against the 14-4 Lourdes Central Catholic knights, but the two-seeded knights first quarter was enough for them to hold on and win 31-29.
The first quarter was a nine point swing for Lourdes Central, 16-7. Falls City Sacred Heart missed a lot of shots inside the paint, due in part to some great defense down low from senior Gina McGowen.
The knights held that lead the entirety of the ball game, although narrowly at times. In the last minute of the ball, sophomore Aspen Meyer had the two biggest shots of the game-- one and one free throws with a chance to give her team a two point lead. Meyer was able to collect her breath and sink both free throws, and the knights knocked off the Irish for their first loss of the season.
McGowen led the knights in scoring with nine points. The Irish were led by junior Erison Vonderschmidt with 11 points.
In the second of two Falls City Sacred Heart championship games, the Irish fans were given another low-scoring game. With a first quarter score of 7-6 Tri County, fans of both teams were awaiting another tight finish in Johnson.
The second half, however, skewed a bit towards the trojans. The third quarter ended with a double digit lead for Tri County, 21-11. The fourth quarter had some fireworks offensively for both teams, but the Tri County lead proved too much for the Irish. The Trojans would win 38-26 behind sophomore Carter Siems 15 points. Irish were led by junior Jake Froeschl.