Champions were crowned in six classes Saturday on the final day of the 2026 NSAA girls state basketball championships.
In Class D2, Dundy County Stratton claimed its first state championship by knocking off perennial power Wynot 49-39 in the championship game. DCS trailed 30-29 entering the fourth quarter but outscored Wynot 20-9 in the final eight minutes to win the title. Abi Spargo led the way for the state champs with a game high 22 points.
In Class C1, Malcolm and Milford went back and forth for three quarters until Milford pulled away in the fourth quarter outscoring Malcolm 17-5 in the final eight minutes to claim the state championship with a 66-52 win. Shayla Rautenberg of Milford collected her third double / double of the state tournament with 16 points and 13 rebounds as Milford collected its first state championship after finishing runner-up last year.
In Class A, Lincoln North Star claimed its first state title by defeating Omaha North 51-35. Ani Leu led the way for North Star with a game high 20 points.
In Class C2, Pender raised the championship trophy once again defeating Elkhorn Valley 63-48 in the championship game. Hadley Walsh finished with 25 points and Madalyn Dolliver scored 24 for the Pendragons. It was Pender’s fifth state title and their fourth in a row winning the C2 title in 2023 and Class D1 title in 2024 and 2025.
In Class B, Bennington claimed the state title with a 49-39 win over Gretna East. Bennington jumped out to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter and held Gretna East to 27% percent shooting from the field for the game on their way to their first state championship. Macie Reiner led all scorers with a game high 23 points.
In Class D1, Howells-Dodge handed Bloomfield its first loss of the season to claim its second state championship in girls basketball. Howells-Dodge led 35-24 entering the fourth quarter but Bloomfield fought back falling just short as Howells-Dodge held on for a 45-42 victory. Kylie Brichacek led the way for Howells-Dodge with a team high 20 points.
In other notes from championship Saturday, Gothenburg won the Class C1 third place consolation game over Fort Calhoun 69-64. Halsey Thomalla scored 21 points and Zoe Beveridge finished with 20 to lead the Swedes. Other 3rd place consolation game results:
Class C2
Yutan 47, GACC 44
Class D1
Elm Creek 56, Sutton 54
Class D2
Red Cloud 38, Archangels Catholic 25
