Cedar to face unbeaten Auburn in title game

WAYNE — Cedar Catholic improved to 5-0 to advance to Monday’s Great Northeast Nebraska Shootout title game.

Cedar’s two opening-round games set up a title match between two undefeated squads. The Trojans took on 6-0 Auburn in the title game at Wayne State College’s Rice Auditorium.

That game was played after the Cedar County News’ Holiday deadline. Results can be found in next week’s issue and on www.Hartington.net.

In Thursday’s tourney opener, Myles Thoene dropped in a career-high 32 points to lead Cedar Catholic to a big 62-40 win Friday over Hastings St. Cecilia in the first round of the Great Northeast Neb. Shootout.

Thoene was hot from long distance, as he connected on seven shots from downtown.

Cedar was also hot from the foul line, as the Trojans connected on 9-11 charity shots.

The Trojans got off to a slow start, trailing 19-15 at the close of the first frame.

Cedar put the breaks on the Hastings offense after that, holding the Bluehawks to just five second-quarter points, while putting up 14 of their own to take a 29-24 lead into the halftime break.

Cedar put together a 14-10 thirdquarter run to give the Trojans a comfortable 43-34 lead headed into the final frame. Cedar didn’t let up over the final eight minutes, pouring in 19 points, while limiting the Hawks to just

six.

Cedar 15 14 14 19— 62 Hastings SC 19 5 10 6 — 40

SCORING Cedar - Myles Thoene, 32; Tate Thoene, 13; Brady Steffen, 8; Charlie Schroeder, 7; Jaxson Bernecker, 2. Hastings St. Cecilia - Paul Fage, 9; Gus Driscoll, 7; Alex Burns, 6; Garett Parr, 5; Braydon Schropp, 4; John Starr, 3; Noah Daly, 3; Cooper Butler, 2; Anthony Sabatka, 1.

Friday’s win put Cedar into a Saturday semifinal round match-up against Wayne.

The Trojans were led to the 58-44 win by a pair of double-figure scorers. Tate Thoene hit for 16, while Brady Steffen connected for 14. The Trojans got off to a fast start against the Blue Devils, racing out to a 17-14 advantage. Both teams hit for 11 in the second frame, giving Cedar a 28-25 halftime advantage.

The Trojans were able to outscore the Blue Devils, 15-12, to open the second half, giving Cedar a 43-37 lead heading into the final frame.

Cedar’s defense kept Wayne from getting many good looks at the basket in the final frame, and the Trojans hit their shots to put together a 15-7 lead and earn the 14-point win.

The loss dropped Wayne to 4-5 on the year.

Cedar 17 11 15 15 —58 Wayne 14 11 12 7 — 44 SCORING Cedar - Tate Thoene, 16; Brady Steffen, 14; Myles Thoene, 8; Carter Arens, 8; Charlie Schroeder, 6; Jaxson Bernecker, 4; Hunter Thoene,

2. Wayne - Tyrus Eischeid, 18; Shea Sweeland, 11; Brandon Bartos, 8; Trevor Deboer, 4; Tanner Walling, 3.