The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys Basketball Team had a State Tournament to remember as the Bluejays took home 3rd place, upsetting top-seeded North Platte St. Pat’s 42-40 on a Miles Dinslage Buzzer Beater at Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday morning in action aired on 107.9 the Bull before falling 54-53 to Ainsworth in the Semifinals at the Devaney Center Friday morning in action also aired on the Bull, and then rallying to beat Plainview 49-42 in the 3rd place game from Lincoln Northwest on Saturday in a game also carried on the Bull.
Jeff’s North Platte St. Pat’s Recap:
The Irish led 12-8 after one, and won the 2nd quarter 8-7 to take a 20-15 lead into the locker room. The Bluejays won the 3rd quarter 13-12 to make it a 32-28 game at the end of three. GACC won the 4th quarter 14-8. Konnor Kralik finished with 19 points, including a dunk to open the game. Dinslage added 8.
Jeff’s Ainsworth Game Recap:
The Bulldogs led 21-14 after one before the Bluejays won the 2nd quarter 10-3 to tie the game at 24 at halftime. Ainsworth won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to go back in front 37-35 at the end of three. GACC won the 4th quarter 18-17. Kralik had 21 points while Cody Hass totaled 10. Dinslage chipped in 9 while Bryce Bailey had 7.
Joel Janecek’s Plainview Game Recap:
The Pirates jumped out to a 10-point lead early, and held a 14-6 advantage after the first quarter. GACC had an improved second quarter, but still trailed 25-14 at halftime. The Bluejays got hot in the third quarter, making a trio of three pointers on their way to outscoring Plainview 17-10 in the period. The Pirates still led, however, 35-31 after three quarters. The fourth quarter was a big one for GACC, as they outscored Plainview 18-7 and went 12-15 from the free throw line, pulling away for the come-from-behind victory. Kralik finished with 22 points to lead GACC. Dinslage added 10 and Chase Smith scored 9.
End of Season Synopsis:
The GACC Bluejays finish the season at 15-14 overall. It was a great run for GACC and the Bluejays should be very proud. GACC says goodbye to Dinslage, Bailey, Jesse Steffen, and Joe Schwer. Key returners include Hass, Kralik, and Chase Smith. I think the Bluejays have a chance to be solid once again next year and look for GACC to build upon this year and do big things once again next season. These kids should take the time to reflect and look back on this past year with a lot of pride, happiness, and admiration. These kids deserve a pat on the back for what they did. It will soon be time to get ready for next year though if that time hasn’t begun already. There’s a lot of work for next year’s team to do to get back to where they were this year, but how this season ended has to serve as motivation for these kids to do great things once again next season.