By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

"Our coach in practice always talks about how charges are the biggest change in momentum," Nikkila said. "When he got that, I knew we were going to have to step up because he's there and helping out, he's hurting his body. For him to do that, we had to help him out by getting some points."

St. Cecilia did just that. The Bluehawks scored 26 fourth-quarter points to break things open and went on to a 50-43 victory over Bennington in the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday at the Devaney Center in Lincoln. It was their first state title since 1969.

The charging foul that Sealey took was one of three charges the Bluehawks drew during the game. Sealey said he was just in the right place at the right time.

"They're good at driving," Sealey said. "All the coaching put me in position. I was in position on defense. I just stepped in front and took the charge.

"The past couple of games they've been driving teams so I've just been help-side a lot. I've taken some charges and that's given us some momentum."

St. Cecilia, after struggling offensively the first three quarters, was able to turn its defense into offense in the final period. Nikkila had three baskets on breakaways after Bennington turnovers.

St. Cecilia made seven fourth-quarter field goals after having just 10 in the first three quarters.

"Our coach was telling us to pressure the ball," Nikkila said. "It caused some turnovers and we got some layups. It was great for our defense to be able to step up and turn the whole game around."

The St. Cecilia defense forced 14 turnovers in the game to help hand the Badgers (25-1) their first loss of the season.

"We came out the second half and I thought our intensity picked up even more," St. Cecilia co-coach Rob Kober said. "The first half we couldn't finish a layup. We couldn't get anything to fall. Our kids just kept shooting and got it done."

The Bluehawks held a 24-22 lead going into the final quarter before a 10-2 run in the first four minutes upped that lead to 34-24 with 4 minutes, 29 seconds remaining.

That run didn't really surprise Bennington coach Larry Klaus.

"I told the boys at half time that at some point, somebody is going to make a run here and get some things going," Klaus said. "They did and we didn't."

It was a parade to the free-throw line the final four minutes of the game. The Bluehawks were 12 of 19 from the line in the final quarter.

But it was the defensive pressure led by Nikkila that turned the game. Nikkila had four rebounds, four assists and three steals to go along with his eight points.

"He's a gamer," Kober said. "He knew it was his senior year and he gave it all he's got because he knows there's no tomorrow."

Bennington entered the state tournament averaging 66 points a game, but the Badgers couldn't get the offense going against St. Cecilia. Bennington made just 12 of 45 shots from the field (26.7 percent.)

"St. Cecilia plays such good man defense out there," Klaus said. "We had a hard time getting things going offensively. They were aggressive and physical with us. That was the difference in the game.

"Offensively they were in the flow and they moved the ball well. Their depth really came into play too. We got tired and they didn't."

The Bluehawks' bench included 6-6 junior Matt Sterup, who hit 6 of 8 free throws, including 5 of 6 in the fourth quarter.

"We've always been a deep team which has helped," Sterup said. "We have kids who have started before who come off the bench. It's great to have people with experience come off the bench.

"We always say there's not let down with our second group. We're competing against our best competition every day in practice."

In the closing seconds, Sterup noticed that everyone on the St. Cecilia bench had been in the game except his younger brother, 6-7 freshman Zach Sterup.

When the ball was tipped out of bounds with .5 seconds left, Matt Sterup pointed toward the bench and his younger brother as he headed off the court.

"I was hoping he was going to get in the game at the end," Matt Sterup said. "I was getting a little bit worried. I saw there was .5 seconds left so I went to coach and said, 'Get him in the game,' because he's the only one who hasn't played yet."

"It's great to have somebody on this team you can share it with at home."

HASTINGS ST. CECILIA 50, BENNINGTON 43

BENNINGTON (25-1)

Dexter Higgins 4-8 0-0 9, Denver Klaus 2-10 7-7 11, Tony Klein 2-4 6-6 10, Tyler Byrd 2-12 1-3 6, Patrick Meads 0-2 0-0 0, Kevin Olson 0-1 0-0 0, Eric Preisster 1-4 1-2 3, Ben Sowers 1-3 2-2 4, Paul hanson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 12-44 17-20 43.

HASTINGS ST. CECILIA (23-2)

Jake Hamburger 1-8 0-1 2, Blake Wright 6-8 0-2 12, Zane Anstine 1-2 2-2 4, Dalton Sealey 4-5 1-2 11, Riley Nikkila 4-8 0-4 8, Aaron Esch 0-1 1-2 1, Jesse Souchek 0-1 0-0 0, Craig Farmer 1-2 2-4 4, Nick Hinrichs 0-0 2-2 2, Paul Geodert 0-3 0-0 0, Matt Sterup 0-1 6-8 6. Totals 17-39 14-27 50.

Bennington 9 7 6 21 43

Hastings St. Cecilia 4 12 8 26 50

3-Point GoalsBennington 2-14 (Higgins 1-4, Klaus 0-3, Byrd 1-6, Olson 0-1), Hastings St. Cecilia 2-7 (Hamburger 0-2, Wright 0-1, Sealey 2-2, Nikkila 0-1, Esch 1-1). Fouled OutMeads. ReboundsBennington 32 (Higgins 9), St. Cecilia 30 (Wright 5). AssistsBennington 4 (Higgins, Klein, Byrd, Meads 1), St. Cecilia 12 (Hamburger, Nikkila 4). Total FoulsBennington 24, St. Cecilia 20.