Six champions were crowned Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln at the 2019 Girls State Basketball Championships. Millard North, Grand Island Northwest, Wahoo Bishop Neumann, Hastings St. Cecilia, Fremont Archbishop Bergan, and Wynot all claimed state titles in their respective classes.
Millard North claimed the Class A title which was their first in their 15th state appearance. Lauren West went off for 31 points as the Mustangs defeated Lincoln Southwest 62-52.
Northwest claimed its first Class B girls basketball title since 2014 and fourth all time with a 48-43 win over Crete. Vikings junior Whitney Brown led the way with 23 points.
After falling to Columbus Scotus in overtime in last year’s championship game, top ranked Bishop Neumann climbed to the top of the mountain this year with a 45-29 victory over Lincoln Christian in the Class C1 championship game. Neumann pulled away in the second half for the progaram’s third championship.
Lexi Vertin scored 17 points to help Hastings St. Cecilia win its first state title since winning the C1 championship in 2011. St. Cecilia pulled away from Crofton in the fourth quarter for a 63-45 win.
Archbishop Bergan of Fremont claimed the program’s first ever state title by winning the Class D1 crown over Dundy County Stratton 36-27. Haley Kempf scored a game-high 17 to help lead the way.
Wynot reclaimed the Class D2 title as they hung on at the end to hold off Falls City Sacred Heart 39-38.
Third place games
Class C1
Wahoo 46, Mitchell 24
Class C2
Oakland-Craig 68, Fillmore Central 60
Class D1
Pleasanton 53, Elkhorn Valley 45
Class D2
Bruning Davenport Shickley 36, Sterling 34
