By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

For the third time this season, Nissen tore apart the Buffaloes. This time, the 6-foot-6 senior had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the No. 1 Bluejays to a 60-50 victory over Gibbon in the Class C-2, Subdistrict 9 championship game Thursday night at Kearney High School.

"He's kind of been the Gibbon killer," Reinertson said. "I'll be glad to see him graduate. He's played well against us every game this year. Give him credit. He's a nice young man and had a fantastic game again tonight."

Nissen was 8 for 13 from the field, including two 3-pointers, and 10 for 12 from the free-throw line, including 7 for 8 in the fourth quarter when the Buffaloes were fouling to try and catch up.

Ravenna coach Paul Beranek said Nissen has really come on strong of late.

"The last quarter of the season he's been almost a different person," Beranek said. "He's just been a warrior. At the beginning of the year, we were frustrated with him. Now he has that sense of urgency that sometimes a senior gets."

The win moves the Bluejays (22-1) into a district final against Axtell (19-4) Monday at a site to be determined. Gibbon ends its season at 14-8.

The Buffaloes were hampered with foul trouble. Bryce Cudaback, a 6-4 junior, picked up his third foul in the second quarter and his fourth with 5 minutes, 54 seconds left in the third quarter.

Reinertson brought senior Justin Wadkins-Meyer off the bench in his place. He said Wadkins-Meyer did a very good job, but they needed Cudaback in the game.

"Bryce is probably our best match up for Nissen," Reinertson said. "He's a really good player, but Bryce is our best bet to play against him and get him in foul trouble. That hurt us definitely. Bryce is also a scoring threat at the other end. He's somebody you have to guard, so Greg is able to sag back in the paint.

"Once again tonight he got quite a few blocks and some of the shots he didn't block, he changed, so he's a big factor in the game."

Senior Jordan Reinertson led Gibbon with 18 points, including 16 in the second half. Sophomore Josh Reinertson added 14 with 13 of those coming in the opening half.

Beranek said the Buffaloes made huge strides throughout the season.

"They were a pretty good team at the beginning of the year, but now they're almost at a great level," Beranek said. "The difference for Gibbon is the support staff around the Reinertsons. They're two very good players, but you have to credit (Steven) Yockey, Cudabeck and (Anthony) Benge for being able to step it up and really raise the level of the team."

The Bluejays built a 37-28 lead midway through the third quarter, but Gibbon came back in a hurry. Jordan Reinertson and Yockey hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Jordan Reinertson scored inside to pull the Buffaloes to within 37-36.

But Ravenna answered that run just like the Bluejays answered every run the Buffaloes made, then made 10 of 12 free throws in the final quarter to hold on for the win.

"That's the way it is with basketball," Beranek said. "You make a run and if they don't answer it, you distance yourself. To Gibbon's credit they kept answering a few of them. Finally in the fourth quarter we made a run and kind of got some separation."

Paul Reinertson said it was an emotional night for him and the seniors on the Gibbon team.

"I have seven really good seniors I'm going to miss," Paul Reinertson said. "They're good players and have a lot of character. They've been great for Gibbon basketball."

RAVENNA 60, GIBBON 50

GIBBON (14-8)

Yockey 3-8 00 8, Josh Reinertson 3-8 0-0 8, A. Benje 0-7 1-2 1, Jordan Reinertson 7-17 2-2 18, Cudaback 3-3 0-0 6, Rivers 0-1 0-0 0, Jewell 0-0 0-0 0, King 0-0 0-0 0, C. Benge 0-0 0-0 0, M. Rasmussen 0-0 0-0 0, Wadkins-Meyer 1-1 1-1 3, P. Rasmussen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-53 7-9 50.

RAVENNA (22-1)

Habe 2-4 0-0 5, Deines 1-5 0-2 2, Basnett 0-2 2-2 2, Mingus 6-13 1-2 14, Nissen 8-13 10-12 28, Johnson 1-5 0-0 2, Klosterman 0-0 0-0 0, Crowell 0-0 0-0 0, Chramosta 0-1 1-2 1, Beranek 0-0 0-0 0, Chizek 2-5 0-0 6, Payne 0-0 0-00. Totals 20-48 14-20 60.

Gibbon 12 12 15 11 50

Ravenna 16 12 16 16 60

3-Point goals Gibbon 5-15 (Yockey 2-4, Jordan Reinertson 2-5, Josh Reinertson 1-3, Kenton 0-1, A.Benge 0-2). Fouled out None. Rebounds Gibbon 33 (Josh Reinertson 11). Ravenna 32 (Nissen 12). Turnovers - Gibbon 11, Ravenna 9. Total fouls Gibbon 18, Ravenna 13. Technicals None.