The Seward boys battled two teams from Wahoo in the Wahoo Holiday Tournament and came home victorious. The Jays defeated Bishop Neumann 47-35 and Wahoo 56-54.
“They were hard games to play. We had to go hard every possession,” Coach Mark Cidlik said. “I think we grew and matured a bit. The moment was not too big for us.”
Against Neumann Dec. 28, the Jays shot 48 percent and held the Cavaliers to 37 percent. Nate Lliteras led the team with 16 points and Kelly Vyhnalek added 11.
Bryson Janousek came off the bench to score eight points and played very well, Cidlik said.
“Our touch is getting better,” he said. “Defensively, both teams were really good.”
Seward led 14-12 at halftime and pulled away in the second half, outscoring BNHS 15-9 in the third quarter and 18-14 in the fourth.
“Bishop Neumann really played well defensively. I was very impressed with them and with our poise on offense,” Cidlik said.
The win put the Jays into the championship game against Wahoo Dec. 29. Seward started out down 7-2 but finished the first quarter ahead 16-14. The score was tied 33-33 at halftime.
“Scoring was not a problem,” Cidlik said. “We played well on offense, but Wahoo was able to score on us.”
Vyhnalek and Janousek combined to hold Wahoo’s top player in check, he said. Derek Holtorf led the Jays with 13 points, and Lliteras, Vyhnalek and Joseph Krause scored 10 points each.
“It’s hard to defend five guys,” Cidlik said. “Anyone we bring in can score.”
Janousek again scored eight points and brought good energy off the bench, Cidlik said.
Seward built a seven-point lead at one point, but the Warriors came right back. Seward shot 61 percent for the game from two-point range and 41 percent from three-point distance, making 7 of 15 attempts.
Seward (7-1) will travel to Beatrice Friday, Jan. 4. The Orangemen are also coming off a holiday tournament championship and are young and confident, Cidlik said.
“That’s a dangerous combination – to be young, confident and at home,” he said.
