The second meeting of the season between the Bluejay boys and Nemaha Central tipped off on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in Seneca. Sabetha topped the Thunder at home back in week four and they were looking to bring out the broom following the rubber match. The Bluejay defense was the difference maker in this game, holding Nemaha Central to single-digit scoring through each of the first three quarters and helped the Jays cruise to the win, 57-36.

“We played well for the majority of the game,” said Head Coach Scott Burger. “Our defense was excellent. We limited them to one shot, stayed in front of them and allowed only one three-point basket for the game. Our players have been really focused on stopping the other team.”

The Thunder’s lone trey came in the first quarter, they were blanked from behind the arc the rest of the contest. Senior Matthew Garber dropped 5 points on a trey and a bucket in the first quarter, senior Davis Rokey had 5 points with a pair of lay-ins and a free throw, and junior Marcus Bauman chipped in 4 points. Sabetha outscored their hosts 14-9 in the opening period.

Nemaha Central struggled to find an unimpeded view of the rim let alone an open shot, and Sabetha allowed them just 4 points in the second quarter. Garber added his second triple of the night and had 4 points, and fellow senior Preston Michael dropped a trey and had 4 points as well in the frame. The Bluejays held a 27-13 lead at the half.

Sabetha nearly doubled the offensive output of the Thunder in the third quarter, holding their opponent to just 9 points while putting up 17.

“Offensively, we shot the ball well, but we need to be more patient on the offensive end,” Coach Burger said.

Garber had 9 points in the third quarter, junior Christian McAfee had 6 and senior Nohl Niehues had a bucket. The Bluejays led 44-22 heading into the final quarter.

With a healthy lead, Sabetha’s reserve players gained some varsity minutes in the waning minutes of the game. Nemaha Central managed to outscore their guests in the final period, 14-13, with the Jays maintaining their advantage by shooting 7-8 from the free throw line. Rokey had two baskets for 4 points and Bauman added a bucket. Sabetha grabbed the win in dominating fashion over the Thunder, 57-36.

In addition to their stifling defense, some other keys to the win Coach Burger said, “We outscored them from the free throw line and stayed out of foul trouble.”

Sabetha improved to a perfect 16-0 with the win in Seneca.