Bluejays Basketball
Launch the media gallery 1 playerJays Defeat Cadets
Pierce’s varsity Bluejay basketball team hosted the West Point-Beemer Cadets on Saturday, February 10. The Jays edged out the Cadets 41-37 to take the win.
Pierce got out to an early lead in the first quarter, outscoring the Cadets 15-6 behind a three from Taylor Oestreich, two buckets and three free throws from Braydan Waldner, an inside shot and a free throw from Dalton Freeman, and a pair of free throws from Carter Rohrich.
The Cadets picked up their offense in the second, holding the Jays to six and scoring 11 of their own. Carson Oestreich, Freeman, and Gavin Larson all contributed two points apiece before the half, which ended with the Jays up 21-17
Coming out of halftime, the Cadets took over the lead as they held the Jays to nine points and scored 14 of their own. C. Oestreich hit a shot from behind the arc, and Freeman and Rohrich each found their way to the hoop inside. Waldner topped off the quarter’s scoring with a pair of free throws. Going into the final minutes of play, the score read 30-31.
Pierce sealed their victory in the fourth, scoring 11 and keeping the Cadets to just six. Larson and Freeman each hit shots from behind the arc, and Freeman also tacked on a free throw. Waldner and Rohrich sank a bucket for two each for the Jays to take the win.
Leading the Jays in scoring were Waldner and Freeman, each with eleven. Notably, Waldner also scored his 1000th career point during the matchup with the Cadets. The crowd celebrated with signs and noisemakers to tip their hats at this achievement.
The next varsity boys’ game will be Friday, February 16, in Wayne.
Bluejays Fly Past GACC
By Kaleb Zamora
Pierce’s boys’ basketball team faced off against Guardian Angel Central Catholic on Thursday, February 8, at home. The Bluejay’s hot start propelled them to defeat GACC 49-35.
In the first quarter, the offense exploded with 22 points, while the defense held GACC to only nine. Helping the Bluejays soar in the first quarter were Braydan Waldner with 14 points, Carson Oestrich with five points, and Dalton Freeman nailing one from behind the arc to get three points. In the second quarter, the offense and defense continued to roll GACC over as the offense scored 11, while the defense held them to six. Leading the offense in points were Waldner with eight points, Gavin Larson with two points, and Carter Rohrich hitting one free throw. Going into the locker rooms, Pierce was up 33-15 with a victory in sight. In the third quarter, nothing changed for Pierce as they scored ten to GACC’s eight. The only scorer in the third was Waldner, hitting ten points to help Pierce take the lead 43-23. In the final quarter, GACC’s offense and defense finally showed up as they scored 12 to Pierce’s six points. Helping the Bluejays were Wyatt Neitzke hitting three free throws, Taylor Oestrich hitting a deuce to get, and Freeman hitting one of his two free throws. At the end of the game, Pierce came out victorious winning 49-35.
The leading scorer of this game was Waldner getting 32 points. Leading the team in rebounds was Waldner again with nine. Then leading the team in steals was Freeman with three.
The Bluejays’ next games will be played in the subdistrict tournament, beginning on Monday, February 19.
Bluejays Fall to Trojans
by Annie Johnson
The Bluejays traveled to Norfolk to take on Hartington Cedar Catholic in the second round of the Mid-State Conference tournament on Friday, February 2. Strong offense from the Trojans’ caused Pierce to suffer a 48-54 loss.
In the first quarter, Braydan Waldner started the game by scoring the first six points. Both Taylor Oestreich and Dalton Freeman followed with a three-pointer before Gavin Larson drove his way to the hoop for another two points for the Jays. Hartington kept the game close, ending the first with a score of 14-15.
In the second, Larson put up one point from free throws, followed by both Waldner and Jadon Magdanz getting to the basket on the inside. T. Oestreich led the team’s scoring for the second quarter with six points by bringing the first half to a close with back-to-back three-pointers. Despite the offensive efforts from the Jays, the Trojans scored a total of 16 points and ended the half with a score of 25-31.
Coming off the half, the Jays outscored Hartington with 11 points. Magdanz found his way to the backboard and put up two points for the Bluejays, followed by Freeman with another two-point shot. Waldner drew a foul on an inside shot and sank a free throw, putting up three more points for the team. Both Freeman and Waldner added another two points to the scoreboard, ending the quarter 36-38.
In the final quarter, Larson sank his first three-point shot of the night. At the free throw line, Carson Oestreich, Freeman, and Waldner went two-for-two, adding another a total six points to books for the Jays. T. Oestreich ended the game with three-pointer and brought the final score to 48-54. This loss knocked the Jays out of the conference tournament.
Individually, Waldner led the team in points with a total of 15, followed by T. Oestreich with 12, and Freeman with nine. Magdanz and Waldner led in rebounds, both with three, followed by T. Oestreich, Freeman, and C. Oestreich with two rebounds each. In assists, Waldner led with five, followed by Freeman and T. Oestreich with two each. Freeman, C. Oestreich, and Waldner led the team, each having three total. Waldner had three blocked shots against Hartington’s offense.
Head coach Mike Emory said, “We did not get back in transition in the first half and did not rebound. The third quarter was much better defensively, and in the end we had a shot to win the game and just came up short.”
The Bluejays’ next competition will be Thursday, February 8, against Guardian Angels Central Catholic at home
Bluejays Fall in First Round of Mid-State Tournament
By Kaleb Zamora
The Bluejay boys’ basketball team traveled to Northeast Community College to take on Boone Central in the Mid-State Conference Tournament on Tuesday, January 30. The Jays fell to the Cardinals by a score of 48-61.
In the first quarter, Jadon Magdanz started it off with two points from the inside. Then Dalton Freeman cashed in a two, followed by Carson Oestrich and Taylor Oestrich. At the end of the first quarter, the Bluejays were down 8-14 with the Boone Central offense having success.
In the second quarter, the Bluejays’ defense started to struggle as they gave up 13 points. They did, however, manage to put up ten of their own. Scoring for the Bluejays were Braydan Waldner with five points, T. Oestrich nailing a three pointer, and Freeman nailing a bucket for two. Going into the half, the Bluejays were down 18-27.
After the half, the basketball team kicked it in gear as they outscored the Cardinals 21-6 in the third quarter. Helping the Bluejays in the tremendous run were Freeman with ten points, Gavin Larson with six points all from threes, T. Oestrich with a three, and Waldner with a two. Entering the fourth quarter, the Cardinals had a run of their own as they separated themselves from the Bluejays and scored 28 to the Bluejays’ nine. Scoring all of the points for the Bluejays in the fourth quarter was Larson having nine points all from threes. Boone Central defeated the Bluejays 61-48.
The leading scorers of this game were Gavin Larson with 15, and Dalton Freeman with 14. Leading the team in assists was T. Oestrich with four, and leading the team with rebounds was Waldner with eight.
The Jays then entered the consolation bracket and faced Hartington CC on Friday, February 2.
JV Boys Basketball Team Destroys Cadets
by Kaleb Zamora
Pierce’s JV boys’ basketball team defeated West Point-Beemer 52-34 on Saturday, February 10, at home.
In the first quarter, both teams traded points as the score was tied 6-6 at the end of the first. Leading the Jays in scoring were Gavin Larson, Weston Neitzke, and Jake Edins with two points each. In the second quarter, both offense and defense were heating up for the Bluejays as they outscored the Cadets 11-5. Helping the efforts in scoring were Neitzke with four points, Dalton Haase with three points, and David Dale and Edins with two points apiece. Going into the locker room, the Bluejays were up 17-11 at half. In the third quarter, it was all offense as the Cadets put up 19 to the Jays’ 14. Leading the Jays were Neitzke with five, Larson with three, and Edins, Kage Heisinger, and Haase with two points each. Up only 31-30 in the final quarter, the Bluejays’ defense obliterated the Cadets as they outscored them 21-4 to close out the quarter. Helping the Bluejays were Larson with 13 points, Dale and Logan Moeller with three points, and Mason Sindelar with two points. With the offense taking off in the final quarter, the scoreboard read 52-34 to end the game. The leading scorers of the game were Larson with 18 points, and Neitzke with 11 points.
The next JV boys’ basketball game will be Friday, February 16, at Wayne.
JV Boys Fly Over GACC Bluejays
by Rose Graham
The JV boys went head to head with the GACC Bluejays Thursday, February 8, at home. The Bluejays defeated GACC 52-34.
Scoring for the Bluejays in the first quarter were Gavin Larson, Weston Neitzke, and Jakob Edins each with a two-pointer. The Bluejays defended GACC well, holding them to six points going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, David Dale scored a two pointer for the Bluejays, and Neitzke added to the score with two free throws and a two-pointer. Edins put in another two points for the Bluejays, and Dalton Haase scored a three-pointer. After allowing just five from GACC, the Bluejays came out on top 17-11 heading into halftime.
Coming out of the half, Larson scored a three-pointer, and Neitzke added to the score with three free throws and a two-pointer. Edins made his way to the basket for another two points for the Bluejays. Kage Heisinger put his name on the boards with a basket, and Haase also made his way to the basket for two. GACC came alive on offense and scored 19 points this quarter, but the Bluejays still had the lead 34-30 after three.
In the final quarter, Logan Moeller scored a three-pointer for the Bluejays, and Dale added one free throw and a two-pointer. Larson executed his shots well, scoring three three-pointers, a two pointer, and two free throws. Mason Sindelar put his name on the boards, scoring a two pointer for the Bluejays. Holding GACC to just four points in the fourth, the Bluejays defeated GACC 52-34.
“We played pretty well coming off of our break,” said coach Tim Waldner. “Defense and rebounding were solid all game. We excelled against them pretty well.”
The JV boys’ next game is Friday, February 16, against Wayne.
Freshman Boys Go 1-1 in Wayne Tournament
by Kaleb Zamora
The freshman boys’ basketball team traveled to Wayne to face off in a tournament on Saturday, February 10. The Bluejays lost in their first game to South Sioux City 38-29, then defeated Hartington CC 47-28 to place 3rd.
In the first game against South Sioux City, things started very slow for the Jays offensively and defensively, as they were down in the first quarter 5-13. The only scorer for the Bluejays was Logan Moeller with five points. In the second quarter, things didn’t get any better for the Jays as they were outscored 4-9. Helping the Jays score were Mason Sindelar and Luke Collison with a bucket apiece. At the end of the half, the Bluejays were down 22-9. In the third quarter, the Bluejays came back to life as they outscored South Sioux City 12-6. Helping the Jays in their scoring efforts were Chaden Roth with eight points, Hunter Raabe with two points, and Tyler Race and Sindelar with one point both from a free throw. Being down only 21-28 at the end of the third quarter, the Bluejays’ defense couldn’t slow down South Sioux City’s offense in the fourth as they outscored the Bluejays 8-10. Helping the Jays score were Race and Moeller with three each and David Dale with two free throws. At the end of the game, the scoreboard read 38-29 in favor of South Sioux City. The leading scorers for the Bluejays were Roth and Moeller with eight points.
In the second game of the tournament, things got off to a much better start as they outscored Hartington CC 17-7. Leading the Bluejays were Roth with ten points, Moeller with three points, and Race and Sindelar with two points each. Still flying in high gear, the Jays offense couldn’t be stopped as they outscored the Trojans 13-5. Leading the Jays was Roth with seven, Tristan Miller with four, and Derrick Kolterman with two free throws. At the end of the half, the Bluejays had a massive lead going into the locker room with a 30-12 score. In the third quarter, things were still clicking offensively as the Jays outscored the Trojans 13-5. Helping the Bluejays out were Sindelar with six points, Roth with five points, and Shawn Rinkel with two points. In the fourth quarter, Hartington CC’s offense finally found their rhythm as they outscored the Bluejays 4-11. Scoring for the Bluejays were Lucas Gnat and Rinkel with two points each. Despite having struggled in the fourth quarter, everything went smoothly for the Bluejays as they defeated Hartington CC 47-28. Leading the Jays in scoring were Roth with 22 points, and Sindelar with eight points.
The next freshman boys’ basketball games will be Saturday, February 24, in the Stanton tournament.
Freshman Boys’ BB Defeat Panthers
By Kaleb Zamora
The freshman boys’ basketball team hosted Norfolk Public on Monday, February 5. They defeated the Panthers 49-41, as both offenses found rhythm for most of the game.
In the first quarter, it was tightly contested as both offenses started to get in their groove. The Jays led at the end of the first 14-11. To help the Jays was Tyler Race hitting three from outside the arc to get him nine points. Logan Moeller had a triple, and Hunter Raabe had two points from inside. Things were just getting better for the Bluejays, as they scored 17 in the second quarter to Norfolk’s 11. Point leaders in this quarter were Chaden Roth with five points, Race and Moeller with three points, and Raabe, David Dale, and Luke Collison with two points. Going into halftime the Bluejays were up 31-22. Offense got off to a slow start in the third quarter as the Jays scored only one point to the Panthers’ seven. Scoring the only point was Race with a free throw. Norfolk moved closer to the Jays as at the end of the quarter, but Pierce was still leading 32-29. Offense showed up in a huge way in the last quarter of the game as the Jays scored 17 to Norfolk’s 12. Leading the charge for the offense were Moeller with six, Roth with four, Race with three, and Collison with two. The final score ended up being 49-41 in Pierce’s favor. The leading scorers of the game were Race with 16 and Moeller with 12.
The next freshman games were played in the Wayne tournament Saturday, February 10, to close out their season.
JH Boys Defeat Creighton Bulldogs
by Rose Graham
The junior high boys’ A and B basketball teams faced off against Creighton Bulldogs Thursday, February 8, on the road. The A and B teams both defeated Creighton.
Scoring for the A team were Benjamin Brahmer with 14 points, Michael Kruntorad with seven points, Ritter Oestreich with four points, Abram Scholting with two points, and Dawson Raabe with two points. The JH A team defeated Creighton Bulldogs 29-21.
Scoring for the B team were Schuyler Simpson with two points, Dawson Raabe with 11 points, Trevin Larson with eight points, Bode Hoffmann with six points, Tristan Kuehler with three points, Dalton Svoboda with two points. The B team defeated the Bulldogs 34-17.
The JH next game is Saturday, February 17, against Hartington Cedar Catholic at home.
JH Basketball Teams Soar Over Madison
by Rose Graham
The 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball teams faced off against Madison Dragons Monday, February 5. The two teams defeated the Dragons.
The first game played was the 7th grade, which saw the Bluejays win 56-6. Scoring for the Bluejays were Benjamin Brahmer with 12 points, Gavin Geneski with ten points, Abram Scholting with six points, Schuyler Simpson with six points, Trevin Larson with six points, Colby Anderson with four points, Tristan Kuehler with four points, Bode Hoffmann with four points, and Dawson Raabe with four points.
The 8th grade was up next and also defeated the Dragons 53-23. Scoring for the Bluejays were Brahmer with 18 points, Michael Kruntorad with 11 points, Scholting with ten points, Kaden Johnson with six points, Ritter Oestreich with five points, and Dawson Raabe with one point.
The junior high’s next game is a tournament at Hartington Cedar Catholic on Saturday, February 17.
Junior High Bluejays Fall to Crofton
by Brenna Collison
The junior high Bluejays battled the Crofton Warriors at home on Monday, January 29. The game was a hard fought battle, but despite their efforts, the Bluejays fell to the Warriors 21-28 in the 8th grade game and 22-37 in the 7th grade game.
In the first half of the 8th grade game, the Bluejays were able to score six but allowed the Warriors to score 18. Scoring in this half was Abram Scholting with a three-point shot, a two-point shot, and a free throw.
Coming out of halftime, the Bluejays were able to pick up their momentum, scoring 15 and holding the Warriors to 10. Scoring in this half were Scholting with a two-point shot, Benjamin Brahmer with two two-point shots and two free throws, Ritter Oestreich with a two-point shot, Trevin Larson with a three-point shot, and Kaden Johnson with a two-point shot. The Bluejays fell to the Warriors with a score of 21-28 in the first game.
The 7th grade Bluejays then took on the Warriors. In the first half, the Bluejays were able to score 12 but allowed the Warriors to score 21. Scoring in this half were Gavin Geneski with two free throws and a two-point shot, Tristan Kuehler with a two-point shot, Bode Hoffmann with a free throw, and Larson with a three-point shot as well as a two-point shot.
Coming out of halftime, the Bluejays were able to score ten in the second half, but the Warriors managed 16. Scoring in this half were Geneski with two free throws, Kuehler with one free throw, Hoffmann with two two-point shots, and Larson with a three-point shot. The Bluejays fell to the Warriors with a score of 22-37.
“As a team, we must continue to develop our skills, fundamentals, and communication on defense to win close games against good teams,” coach Mark Brahmer said.
The junior high Bluejays’ next game will be Thursday, February 8, in Creighton.
