The Nebraska girls high school basketball season came to its end on Saturday as six champions were crowned during championship Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The day started with Pender winning the Class D1 state title. Pender repeated as Class D1 state champions and won their third consecutive state title winning the C2 championship in 2023. The Pendragons erupted for 28 first quarter points and never looked back on their way to a 74-40 win over Elm Creek. Pender’s Madalyn Dolliver led all scorers with 25 points and Hadley Walsh finished with 23 points. Elm Creek was led by Halle Knapp who had a team high 12 points.
Lincoln Christian held off Milford to win the Class C1 championship. It’s the fourth state championship for Lincoln Christian and their second in a row after claiming the title last year. Lincoln Christian finishes undefeated while Milford finished the season with just two losses, both to Lincoln Christian. Three players scored in double figures for the Crusaders led by Kenadee Ailes who finished with a team high 17 points. Milford was led by Aylandra Roth who finished with a game high 18 points.
Millard West ran away from Omaha Westside to win their second straight Class A championship. Millard West outscored Westside 15-5 in the first quarter and led 33-14 at the half. Omaha Westside was held to 29% shooting from the field while Millard West shot 44%. Eight players scored for Millard West led by Kylee Paben who finished with a game high 19 points
Oakland Craig captured its first state championship holding off Elkhorn Valley 51-46 to claim the Class C2 title. Oakland Craig trailed 30-18 at the half but came back outscoring Elkhorn Valley 33-16 in the second half to secure the comeback win. Oakland Craig was led by Adilen Rennerfeldt who finished with a game high 16 points.
After finishing runner up in Class B the last three seasons, Skutt was able to claim the championship this year with a 37-25 win over Gretna East. Skutt shot just 28% from the field but held Gretna East to just 21% shooting for the game. Skutt’s Libby Shotkoski led all scorers with 15 points.
The final championship game Saturday was for the D2 title between Dorchester and Falls City Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart led by seven at the half but pulled away in the second half outscoring Dorchester 32-12 in the second half holding Dorchester to just two points in the fourth quarter. It is the ninth overall state title for Sacred Heart. The Irish were led by Jentry Lechtenberg who finished with a game high 16 points.
3rd place consolation games
Class C1
Minden 56, Gothenburg 50
Class C2
Crofton 52, GACC 45
Class D1
Cedar Catholic 48, Alma 33
Class D2
Archangels Catholic 32, Wilcox-Hildreth 27
