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WYNOT — The Randolph Cardinal basketball team saw a successful season come to a halt in the finals of the D2-5 Sub-District Tournament Feb. 26 with a 5443 loss to the top-seeded Wynot Bluedevils.
The Cards led the entire first half and looked poised to earn the upset and move on to a district final with a ticket to Lincoln on the line.
The Redbirds led 14-11 at the end of the first eight minutes and 26-20 at the intermission.
A disastrous third frame put the Bluedevils back in the game as they outscored Randolph 24-11 to erase the six-point deficit and claim a eight-point advantage heading into the final quarter and finished the game with the 54-43 victory.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Randolph coach Cory Simpson. “These young men gave every ounce they had.”
Logan Lienemann and Luke Harder paced a balanced Cardinal offensive attack with 11 points apiece.
Brecken Shearer and Ryan Engel each added seven, Adrian Samano contributed four and Jaylen Junck fired in a long ball.
The win advanced Wynot to a district final to be played on Mar. 3 against Bancroft-Rosalie in Bancroft.
The Cards finished the season with an 11-11 record after finishing last season 10-15.
“I am proud of these guys and I’m proud to be their coach,” said Simpson.
RAN (11-11) 14 11 11 7 - 43 WYN (15-11) 11 9 24 10 - 54 RANDOLPH: Jaylen Junck 1 0-0 3; Logan Lienemann32-211;BreckenShearer21-2 7; Adrian Samano 1 2-7 4; Luke Harder 4 3-6 11; Ryan Engel 3 0-0 7.
WYNOT: Devin Brummer 4 2-3 11; Killian Steinhaus 1 3-5 5; Justin Heimes 4 1-3 10; Carter Hans 1 0-0 2; Braylon Hans 5 0-0 15; Nixen Heimes 0 2-6 2; Kotner Koch 3 0-2 7; Lane Heimes 1 0-0 2.
