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Cedar, Cross County set for Thursday showdown
LINCOLN — When Cross County and Cedar Catholic take to the floor Thursday in their Class C2 State tournament first-round game, it will be a battle between defensive pressure and offensive firepower.
“We absolutely feel confident entering the state tournament,” Cedar Catholic coach Nick Haselhorst said. “Over the last six to eight weeks of the season, we have discovered our teams’ identity and our style of play. We have learned to play with intensity , toughness and discipline. We are excited to showcase our team at the state level.”
Cross County enters the matchup allowing just 38.2 points per game, one of the stingiest defenses in the eight-team field.
Cedar Catholic, however, boasts one of the top scorers in Nolan Becker, who averages 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Cross County relies on a balanced scoring attack, with Wyatt Hengelfelt (10.2 PPG), Thatcher Hanson (9.8 PPG), and Sawyer Anderson (8.3 PPG) leading the way.
A strong corps of seniors lead Cross County and any one of those four seniors has the ability to lead the team at any time.
“Cross County is tall, physical and experienced,” said Haselhorst. “They are well balanced scoring the basketball, rebounding, and they will present a tough challenge for us. Their record speaks for itself, only two losses on the season. They placed fourth last year at state so they have experience and perspective on their side.”
Cedar counters with a dynamic duo — Becker and Jaymison Cattau (11.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG) — who could pose problems inside.
“We are playing great since the Christmas break,” said Cattau. “We are shooting the ball much better and some of our less experienced guys at the beginning of the year have all the confidence in the world now.”
The key battle will take place in the paint.
“We have our post player back from injury and we have experience in tight games,” Cattau said. “They are tall and physical, we’ll focus on our defense and let the offense just come through our defense.”
Cedar has a size advantage, led by Becker (193 total rebounds) and Cattau (135 total rebounds). Cross County, anchored by Hengelfelt (6.5 RPG) and Brock Allen (5.5 RPG), will need to box Cedar’s bigs out to keep the Trojans from dominating second-chance points.
The Cougars defense can be ferocious as they thrive on forcing turnovers.
Hanson has racked up 69 steals, while Anderson has 44. Their ability to disrupt Cedar Catholic’s offense could be the difference in a low-scoring game. Cedar, meanwhile, has its own defensive playmakers, with Cattau (43 steals) and Becker (40 steals) looking to counter the pressure.
Cross County has put up some big offensive numbers this season.
Their highest-scoring game was 77 points against Shelby-Rising City. They scored 70-plus points in five games.
The Cross County defense can also be very stingy.
Cross County had 15 games allowing 40 or fewer points, while Cedar kept foes to 40 or fewer points only seven times.
As for the rest of the field, the coach thinks the class is loaded.
“Freeman is probably the best team on paper and looks to be the team to beat,” he said. “They have been lights out all season long, played against very good competition. I expect them to be very talented and disciplined in what they do.”
He also mentioned Yutan as one of the top contenders.
“Yutan is battle tested as well with a tough schedule and they have stood tall and come away with only five losses coming from Class B and C1 schools.”
Haselhorst also mentioned the Trojans’ first opponent.
“Cross County will also be a tough out as well,” said Haselhorst said. “Two losses on the season and back-to-back state appearances.”
Despite the tough competition. the coach likes his own teams’ chances as well.
“We know the challenges , we will prepare the best we can and leave everything on the floor,” said Haselhorst.
Cedar Catholic and Cross County are set to tipoff at 3:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
The winner will advance to Friday’s semifinal game at 3:15 at the Devaney.
Kellyn Dump | Cedar County News
