High school basketball season has come to a close and two area schools come home from their respective state tourneys as the state champions of their class division. The Jefferson County North Chargers girls and Frankfort Wildcat boys both celebrated a great season with state championships in Class 2A and Class 1A-Division II, respectively.

Fourteen local area schools made their state tournaments after winning their respective sub-state crowns. Two came away with state titles, while three took home second place finishes and two others would leave state with fourth place trophies. The Holton Wildcat girls, Nemaha Valley Raider boys and Pawnee City Indian boys would all take home second place trophies after great seasons. While the Wetmore Cardinal girls and ACCHS girls finished off their great seasons off with a fourth place finish in their respective state tournaments, as well. While the seven other area teams to make the state tournament in the Centralia Panthers boys and girls teams, Jefferson County North Chargers boys, Johnson-Brock Eagles and Sterling Jets boys squads and Falls City Sacred Heart Irish boys and girls, all fell in the first round of action in their respective state tournaments, but capped of their successful season with winning their sub-state/sub-district crowns and being one of the eight teams to make it to the Class 1A-Division I state tourney in each bracket.

Below is a recap of the season for all the schools that made state their state tournaments.

Frankfort Wildcats (Boys): 21-5 record (Class 1A-D II State Champions)

Frankfort Wildcats capped off their great season with a storybook ending to send off their two senior post players, Jacob Broxterman and Jonathan Keating in glorious fashion. Frankfort would come into the state tournament as the three seed and would take down Crest, 74-60 in the first round, behind hot shooting and four players in double figures, Broxterman would lead the team with 22 points and sophomore, Alex Surdez would have a career high 18 points, hitting five three-pointers. In the semifinals, the Wildcats would take down a young Fowler squad, 50-39, behind the post player of their seniors. Broxterman would finish with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Keating scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Then it was off to the championship game where it would go to double overtime, with Frankfort outscoring their opponent Otis-Bison 16-4 in the second overtime period to win that Class 1A-Division II state title, 62-53. Broxterman would have his second straight double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Keating would add a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Wildcats started the season off 0-2 and then 5-4 in the first nine games, thinking they might have the same season as the previous year, but right at the start of the Twin Valley League tournament play the spark ignited for Frankfort as they would finish the season 17-1 in the next 18 games, on their way to the state title, winning their last 14 games to finish the year 22-5. Wildcats were lead by the seniors Broxterman and Keating, but it was the guard play of Surdez, junior, Calahan Brown and sophomore, Lucas Adams who would make their team a multi-dimensional threat with guard play and post play. Frankfort would take second in the TVL Tournament and third in league play, going 9-3 in the league, finishing 22-5 on the season and Class 1A-Division II state champs.

Jefferson County North Chargers (Girls): 25-1 record (Class 2A Champions)

Jefferson County North Charger girls after heartbreaking finishes to their past couple of season, they would make sure this one ended with a state title crown coming home with them in Manhattan in Class 2A. The lady Chargers would have to take on Olpe for the state crown, who came into the championship riding a 77-game winning streak, but it would be the tandem of sisters, senior, Jordan Kramer and sophomore, Jacee Kramer who have led the way all season for the Chargers, that would come up big again to give Jefferson County North the 51-40 win and the Class 2A state title. Chargers came into the -state tourney as the two seed and control their first round and semifinal matches; 81-29 win over Madison/Hamilton in the first round and 61-43 win over Republic County in the semifinals. The tandem of the Kramer sisters scored 138 total points of 193 points in the state tournament for the lady Chargers.

Chargers with the win their illustrious season with only one loss, 25-1 record. Jefferson County North's loss was to ACCHS in league play, but the Chargers would avenge that loss to the Tigers of ACCHS in the Jefferson County North mid-season tournament championship game. Chargers finish off the season on a 17-game winning streak winning their first 2A state title and third state title in school history.

Holton Wildcats (Girls): 25-1 record (2nd place at State in Class 4A)

The Holton Wildcat girls came in the season as the defending 4A state champs and went undefeated into postseason play and going into the state tournament as the number one seed. They would make the championship game and take on a one loss team in McPherson. It would be a low scoring affair in the championship game with each team seeing leads in the second half, but ultimately McPherson would take the lead and hold onto it by hitting free throws down the stretch, beating the Wildcats 34-27. Holton took down Chanute in the first round, 69-27 and Ottawa in the semifinals, 53-32.

Holton has been led by their four seniors all year who are four of their top five scorers, with sophomore, Kyrstie Miller the second leading scorer on the team. Those seniors for Holton included, leading scorer, Jayna Smith (11.3ppg), Ryann Bowser, Kylie Miller and Lauren Bagby. Behind a solid group all around team Holton stretched their winning streak up to 51-games going into the state championship game, before falling and taking home second in the Class 4A state tourney. Wildcats finish their great season 25-1, winning the Big Seven league crown once again and stretching their league play winning streak up to 98-straight, also winning the Basehor-Linwood tournament crown this year, as well.

Nemaha Valley Raiders (Boys): 23-3 record (2nd place at State in Class 3A)

After three straight years in 2A and taking home fourth place at state all three years, the Nemaha Valley Raiders jumped back up to 3A this season. The boy's Raiders squad didn't return any starters this season and Coach, Jon Thomas didn't know how long things would take to click with this team this season, so he was unsure what to except initially. But after starting the season 6-0, he knew this team could be special and make do some big things. The Raiders would go on to win a share of the Big Seven title, win their sub-state and make the state tournament. They would take down Conway Springs, 51-46 in the first round of state, while then fighting back from a 12-point deficit to beat Central Heights, 50-47 to advance to the 3A state championship game. They would face off with defending champion, Scott City in the championship. Nemaha Valley was plagued by a slow start and found them selves in a hole earlier, in which they couldn't dig themselves out of; as they would fall 61-47 to Scott City, taking home second place in the 3A state tourney in Hutchinson.

The Raiders would finish the season 23-3, taking home the second place hardware from Hutchinson. Nemaha Valley enjoyed a very successful season, as they won their mid-season tournament the Raiders Classic, won a share of the Big Seven league crown and won their sub-state crown to make the state tournament. Nemaha Valley will loss three starters to graduation but will return a core group of juniors, in Trent Olberding, Creighton Brinker and Drew Steinlage.

Pawnee City Indians (Boys): 25-4 record (2nd place at State Class D-1)

The Pawnee City Indians boy's squad went into the state tournament for the second straight year after taking down Deshler, 50-23 to win the D1-1 District championship. The Indians would be the three seed going into the state tourney; they would take down West Boyd, 54-40 in the first round, then at 52-31 win over High Plains in the semifinals. They would meet up with undefeated St. Mary's in the D-1 championship game and would give St. Mary's a run for their money throughout the game, but would come up short at the end, falling 56-54, to finish second in the state tourney.

Pawnee City finishes the season 25-4 on the year and were led by a pair of seniors in, Hadley Sejkora and Garrett Borcher, throughout the season. Sejkora averaged around 15 ppg, while Borcher averaged around 13 ppg on the season. So after finishing third place last year at the state tournament, the Indians would do one better and finish second place in state.

ACCHS Tigers (Girls): 23-3 record (4th place at State in Class 3A)

ACCHS Tigers girl’s squad went into the state 3A state tournament as the number one seed, hoping to make a run to the state championship. After winning their first round game 31-27 over Beloit, they would fall in their semifinal matchup by 10 points, 56-46 to Silver Lake, knocking them into the third place game in the state tournament. The Tigers would fight to try and end the season with a win, but ultimately would fall 43-38 to Hillsboro, to take fourth place in the 3A state tournament.

The Tigers would finish the overly successful season with a 23-3 record and fourth place at state. Senior, Tara Ellerman lead the Tigers on the season averaging 12 ppg, while junior, Allison Wallisch was the second leading scorer averaging around 8 ppg and having multiple double figure games this season. ACCHS won the Delaware Valley league for the first time ever, after going undefeated in league play, 13-0, finishing regular season play with a only one loss.

Wetmore Cardinals (Girls): 22-4 record (4th place at State in Class 1A-D II)

The Wetmore Cardinals behind their core group of four seniors, Nichole Boden, Lindsey Hughes, Kaitlyn Bloom and Kelsey Henry, made it to the state tournament for the third time in school history. Cardinals would be the two seed in the Class 1A-Division II state tourney and would take down Logan, 40-29 behind free throw shooting in the first round. Then it was a heartbreaking finish in the semifinals, as Wallace County tied the game to force overtime, then Wetmore would tie it late in overtime, but a foul would be called on Wetmore that sent Wallace County to the foul line and they would make one of two to beat Wetmore, 46-45 in overtime. With the loss, Wetmore would play for third place taking on Ingalls, who was upset by one-point in their semifinal, as well. Ingalls took a 12-0 early lead and Wetmore would not be able to battle back from that, falling 55-42, taking home fourth place at the state tournament.

Wetmore enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, finishing the year 22-4. The Cardinals took down B&B in their sub-state final to make their third trip to state and enjoyed success overall in the season. The Cardinals finished second place in the Twin Valley League and took second in the TVL tournament also. The fourth place finish at state is the second best finish at the state tournament for Wetmore (finished second place in 2005).

Jefferson County North Chargers: 21-3 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

Jeff County North boy's squad made the state tournament like their counterpart girls squad, but their outcome was slightly different. The Chargers came into the state tournament winning their sub-state with a one-point thrilling win over Valley Falls, punching their ticket to the state tournament where they would be the three seed. Chargers would matchup against Sterling in the first round, falling 64-62 in a hard fought overtime game. Cory Noll and Dalton Minor lead the Chargers in the loss with 19 points and 14 points, respectively.

Jefferson County North would finish their season 21-3 on the year, after making the state tournament. The Chargers finished second in the Delaware Valley League going 11-1 in league play over the course of the season.

Centralia Panthers (Boys): 18-7 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

Centralia Panthers boy’s squad coming off a state title in football saw a successful season on the basketball court, as well. The Panthers took on Twin Valley League rival Hanover for the third time in the sub-state championship and would win the season series between the two squads, as they took down Hanover, 57-54. Centralia fought hard in their Class 1A-Division I state tourney first round matchup, against Udall and lead the game at the half, but would fall in overtime.

Senior, Michael Glatczak scored 29 points in the loss in the first round and would lead the Panthers in scoring throughout the year. Centralia finished their season at 18-7, winning their sub-state crown and making the state tourney, while also winning a share of the TVL title this season.

Centralia Panthers (Girls): 15-10 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

The Centralia Panthers girls squad, like their counterpart the boys, made the state tournament; as they head back to Emporia for the second straight year. The Panthers would take down Hanover to 69-58 in their sub-state final to punch their ticket to the Class 1A-Division I state tourney. At the state tournament they would meet up against a tough Waverly squad and get in an early hole, in which they could not fight out, falling 46-36 to Waverly in the first round.

It was a pair of seniors, who led the lady Panthers this season in Michelle Haug and Vanessa Burdiek. Haug averaged around 14 ppg, while Burdiek averaged around 9 ppg on the season. Centralia finished the season 15-10; winning their sub-state crown and making the state tourney for the second straight year. The lady Panthers took third place in the Twin Valley League tournament, while finishing sixth in the league overall.

Johnson-Brock Eagles (Boys): 19-9 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

The Eagles of Johson-Brock boy’s squad made it to the state tournament for the second straight year, but would draw a tough matchup in the number one seed in Ravenna. Johnson-Brock would fall 54-39 to Ravenna, who would go on to win the Class C-2 championship and finish the season undefeated. Johnson-Brock took down Johnson County Central 46-37 in the C2-1 District final and went into the state tournament on a six-game winning streak, before falling in the first round of state. The Eagles finish their successful season at 19-9.

Sterling Jets (Boys): 18-8 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

Sterling Jets boys squad made it the state for the third straight year, making the Class D-2 state tournament as one of the two wild card teams into the tournament. Sterling would meet up with Loomis the other wild card squad in the first round of the state tourney and struggle in the game, falling 74-54 in first round action of the state tourney. The Jets were led in scoring by a sophomore this season in, Kody Benson who averaged around 13 ppg, while his teammate senior, Colin VanGroningen averaged about 11 ppg on the season, also. Sterling finished the season 18-8, making the state tourney for third straight year.

Falls City Sacred Heart (Boys): 16-9 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

Falls City Sacred Heart saw both their boys and girls squads make the state tournament. The boy’s team made the Class D-2 state tournament after taking down Hampton in the D2-1 final, 59-39. The Irish boys would be the six seed in the tournament and faced off against Wynot in the first round, losing to Wynot 46-33. The Irish boys would finish the season off 16-9.

Falls City Sacred Heart (Girls): 19-6 record (Lost in 1st round state tournament)

The Irish girls of Falls City Sacred Heart earned a spot in the Class D-2 state tournament after taking down Hampton just like their boys team in the D2-1 final by a score of 56-44.The state tournament was a mirror image for the boys and girls Irish squads, as the girls faced Wynot also in the first round, as the girls Irish squad lost 55-31. The Irish girls finished the season 19-6.

Congratulations to all the 13 area schools that made their state tournaments that all our stations cover on their great seasons and accomplishments this year.