Niobrara-Verdigre Upsets No. 1 Cyclones In NVC Semifinals

It was another thrilling game for the Clearwater-Orchard boys basketball team, but Thursday's Niobrara Valley Conference semifinal didn't go the Cyclones' way.

No. 5 Niobrara-Verdigre picked up a 63-58 victory over top-seeded Clearwater-Orchard in Orchard. The Cyclones will play in Saturday's consolation game against either No. 2 St. Mary's or No. 3 Stuart, which will be played at 4:30 p.m.

Mostly via the free-throw line, the Cougars took a 61-56 lead in overtime, but Tate Schutt cut it to just three points when Schutt put his offensive rebound in with under 30 seconds to play. The Cougars sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Niobrara-Verdigre was 20-of-26 from the free-throw line while Clearwater-Orchard was 8-of-11.

Andy Kerkman led the Cyclones with 21 points while Trevor Mlnarik scored 19.

Niobrara-Verdigre outscored the Cyclone 18-10 in the fourth quarter to force the extra minutes. Clearwater-Orchard held a three-point lead with just 2:57 left in the fourth quarter. The Cougars cut the lead to one with a jumper and then took the 54-54 lead on a 3-pointer with 1:23 to play. Mlnarik hit the game-tying shot with 1:10. The Cougars held the ball for the last shot of regulation but couldn't convert.

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