DC-S, May-Hay boys talk about first state tourney foes

LINCOLN, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton coach Kris Freeland and Maywood-Hayes Center coach Kolby Hamilton offered remarks about their Nebraska boys state basketball tournament foes this week.

The Class D-2 No. 2 Maywood-Hayes Center boys take on No. 7 Elm Creek Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Lincoln’s Devaney Sports Center.

Not even 18 hours later, the D-1 No. 5 Dundy County-Stratton Tigers face No. 4 Ainsworth with Thursday’s tip set for 10:45 a.m. in Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Both teams reached the D-1 state semifinals a year ago. DC-S avenged two earlier defeats with a third-place game victory over May-Hay.

Some quick insights about 2024 state from the two hoops leaders:

“Elm Creek is a very solid team year in and year out. Their coach does a great job with them,” May-Hay’s Hamilton commented as his 22-3 RPAC tourney champs get ready. “They are very athletic with plenty of shooters to compliment their athleticism.

We will need to play great defense and rebound well in order to have a chance to win the game.”

The DC-S boys (21-5 record) are making their third straight state appearance against heralded Nebraska Cornhusker football recruit Carter Nelson and Ainsworth.

Remember, the Ainsworth Bulldogs defeated McCook twice during their excellent district championship season.

“Ainsworth is a three headed monster,” Freeland observed. “We will have to be on our toes as we need to watch out for Carter Nelson,who is averaging 17 points a game and then comes one of the better shooting guards we have faced in Traegan McNallywho is also averaging 17 points per game”McNally had a huge game against McCook during 2022-23, though the Bison won that Southwest Conference tournament game in McCook.

“We hit the trifecta with Trey Appelt, a 6’4” senior that you have guessed averages 17 points a game,” Freeland added. “We will need to be on our toes and do a great job of checking out and limiting them to one shot. If we do that and we play great defense we have a shot to knock these guys off.”

Elm Creek’s top threats to confront May-Hay Wednesday night include sophomore shooting guard Quin Oberg and his 17.3-point average. Senior Nikk Brumels tosses in 10.2 per game and senior guard Kade Sindt nine.