The Nebraska high school girls basketball season came to its conclusion on Saturday as six champions were crowned at the 2023 NSAA girls state basketball championships in Lincoln. Championship Saturday began with Centura winning its first ever state championship in girls basketball. The Centurions overcame a 15 point first half deficit to Hastings St. Cecilia to come back and claim a 44-38 victory and win the Class D1 title. The comeback was led by Sydney Davis who finished with a game high 20 points with eleven of those points coming from the free throw line where she finished 11 of 15 for the game. In the D1 third place game on Saturday, Cedar Catholic defeated Ravenna 55-37.
North Bend Central claimed the Class C1 state title with a 45-28 win over Adams Central. It is North Bend’s 4th straight C1 championship and their 6th overall. Central had three players finish in double figures led by Lindsey Emmanuel and Madison Bishop who each finished with a team high 13 points. Bridgeport won the C1 third place game winning over Malcolm 69-58.
The top two teams in Class B faced off for the title Saturday as Elkhorn North held off Omaha Skutt 64-51 to claim their third straight Class B championship. All state standout Britt Prince led the way for North with a game high 26 points including 5 of 7 from the 3 point line.
Oakland Craig and Pender went down to the wire to decide the Class C2 title. Pender collected the championship with a 45-42 win. The Pendragons were led by Maya Dolliver who finished with a team high 16 points. The Class C2 third place game Saturday saw GACC winning over Crofton 54-32.
The Class A title game featured top seed Millard South against #3 seed Lincoln High. South collected their 4th Class A championship and their first since 1996. The Patriots were led by Mya Babbitt who went off for 30 to lead all scorers.
The final championship game of the day came in Class D2 where Falls City Sacred Heart edged Wynot 33-32. The two teams entered the game with 15 state championships combined. It’s Sacred Heart’s 8th championship overall and 2nd in a row. The Lady Irish were led by Jessica Wertenberger who finished with a team high 11. Shelton won the D2 third place game 48-43 over Humphrey St. Francis.
