UPDATE 3/7/25: It's onto the Class D-2 state championship game for the DHS Lady Longhorns after they defeated Wilcox-Hildreth, 39-31. DHS' Gabrielle Theis had a game high 15 points including three key three-pointers. Her sister Bailey Theis dropped in another 11. Read this story from the Hastings Tribune or watch the 10/11 News highlights. The championship will take place Saturday evening, March 8, at 8:15 p.m. at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. You'll need to pre-order tickets online if you plan to watch in person. Otherwise, you can watch the game via Nebraska Public Media.
On Thursday, March 6, the Dorchester High School girls basketball team continued its winning ways at Pinnacle Bank Arena and the Nebraska Girls Basketball State Championship Tournament in Lincoln.
With a 38-37 win over Silver Lake -- a consolidated school south of Hastings -- the Lady Longhorns (24-2) captured Dorchester's first-ever victory in a state-level contest. See highlights on 10/11 News.
The teams traded leads several times during the contest. Fortunately for DHS, the Mustangs committed a lane violation late in the game, negating a free throw and allowing Dorchester to maintain a slim lead that was trimmed by six points over the last 90 seconds.
The Orange and Black Attack now moves to the semi-finals, set for 6 p.m. Friday night at Lincoln's Bob Devaney Center. DHS will face eighth-seeded Wilcox-Hildreth (18-8), which handily beat No. 1 Wilcox-Hildreth 49-40.
See the full tournament bracket.
If you plan on going to the game Friday, you will need to pre-order virtual tickets here.
Behrens Gives Shout-Out to Community
DHS senior Baylor Behrens scored a game high 20 points on Thursday, helping ensure DHS made it to the semi-finals.
"This is who we wanted to make proud," Behrens said pointing to the "Longhorns" printed on her uniform during in an interview with NebPreps.
Behrens said the school is the bond that holds small towns together.
In this interview, head coach Brandon Bruha saluted the community as well for the support provided to the team.
Denker Calls the Big Game
Making Thursday's game extra
memorable was the fact DHS alumnus Drew Denker (Class of 2003), a frequent
announcer for big-ticket games at the Pinnacle Arena, was the announcer
for the first-round Class D-2 action.
The Omaha World-Herald has even published this story on Denker's appearance.
According to the paper, Denker had been scheduled to announce games at the Devaney Center but made a switch to Pinnacle Bank Arena.
"I've known the athletic director my whole life," Denker said. "Dorchester is a small, small community and this has been a historic season."
The school had been to state only once before, losing to Chambers in the opening round in 2004.
The World-Herald notes: "Denker then pondered the idea and texted fellow tourney PA guy Rich Brodersen, who was scheduled to call games at PBA. He said he'd be happy to make the switch if NSAA assistant director Jon Dolliver was OK with it."
"I texted Jon and told him this was a once in a lifetime opportunity," Denker said. "This is only the second time they'd ever been to state."
Denker played basketball at Dorchester but never made it to the tournament. The Longhorns haven't reached the boys tourney since 1985.
During Friday's game at the Devaney Center, Denker said he'd attend the game just as a fan, wearing the school colors of orange and black with the rest of his family.
If his alma mater reaches Saturday's championship game, he might have another problem. He's also the voice of Nebraska softball, which is hosting a four-team tournament that day.
"If it happens, I might have to pull some strings again," he said. "I wouldn't want to miss that."
