BRADY – In the D2-District 5 Final at Brady Public Schools, #5 Loomis dominated from beginning to end with a standout performance from junior Quinn Johnson en route to a 83-45 victory over #12 Potter-Dix as the Wolves move on to the Boys State Basketball Championship in Lincoln. Click here for the broadcast.
The Wolves came in with a 23 win season under their belt and champions of the D2-8 Sub-District having downed SEM Thursday night. Potter-Dix defeated South Platte to earn the D2-11 title, as both teams entered Brady with a chance to earn their way to Lincoln. Loomis was looking to make it back-to-back trips to the state tournament, while Potter-Dix hadn’t seen postseason play in numerous seasons.
The game opened with Loomis controlling from the start, as the Wolves opened up a comfortable cushion as Shay Swanson and Johnson sliced inside for lay-ins. The Wolves continued their opening quarter run as other scorers joined the party; Christian Blincow had two free throws and a lay-in with Cale Nelson and Aiden Lovitt both adding two each. Johnson erupted for 11 points in the opening eight minutes, as Potter-Dix was held scoreless until Thomas Muldoon dropped back-to-back three pointers. The big shots were the only scores for the Coyotes however, as Loomis held a 21-6 advantage at the end of the first.
Potter-Dix showed a new defensive look to start the second quarter, throwing off the timing and rhythm of Loomis as the Wolves began to shorten their possessions looking for inside plays. This allowed Potter-Dix to get back into their groove, adding the first points in the contest from their offensive studs Javon Coyle and Luke Kasten. Jared Anton also hit a triple for the Coyotes, but Loomis continued to ride the back of Johnson who added another 11 points in the quarter. Aiden Perry added two free throws for the Wolves as Loomis outpaced Potter-Dix by 3 in the quarter, 13-10. The Wolves held the halftime advantage 34-16.
The second half remained much of the same story, as Potter-Dix would find a shot and find some momentum Loomis’ Johnson would steal it back as he responded with an impressive night behind the arc adding three of his seven three pointers in the third. Perry joined in on the fun as he knocked down two triples. The Coyotes did have stronger shooting from their side, as the Coyotes had scores from Brayden Kasten and Luke, but were only able to muster 16 points to the Wolves’ 26.
The fourth quarter advantage was held by Loomis as they led 60-32, and as the time slowly drained away in the D2-District 5 Final, the Wolves continued their focus even with reserves seeing plenty of action in the waning moments as Loomis earned a 83-45 win in Brady as they will travel to Lincoln for the state tournament.
Loomis improves to 24-4 on the season and awaits their opponent in the first round of the Boys State Basketball tournament. The Wolves had contributions from Johnson finishing with 41 points, 13 added by Blincow, 10 points added by Perry, Lovitt had 7 points, senior reserve Khaleb Pafford had 6 points, and Nelson, Wes Trompke, and Swanson all finished with 2 points. To note, the Loomis Wolves did not miss a free throw on the afternoon.
Potter-Dix falls to 18-5 on the season and concludes their season. The Coyotes finish the season with a winning record and a district final appearance just two years removed from a winless season and last year’s 6-15 mark. The Coyotes had contributions from Coyle with 15 points, 14 added by Luke Kasten, 8 contributed by Muldoon, and 3 points each had Anton and Brayden Kasten.
The Loomis Wolves state tournament run will be broadcasted on KUVR Holdrege, more details to come after the conclusion of district final matchups across the state.
