The Wausa Vikings will challenge the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors on Tuesday. Neligh-Oakdale took a loss in their last matchup and will be looking to turn the tables on Wausa, who comes in off a win.
Wausa took a loss when they played away from home on Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Saturday. They snuck past Osmond with a 45-39 win.
| 01/11/25 vs Osmond | 4 |
| 01/09/25 vs Niobrara/Verdigre | 6 |
| 01/06/25 @ Niobrara/Verdigre | 3 |
| 01/03/25 vs Boyd County | 3 |
| 01/02/25 @ Creighton | 2 |
Taylor Dawson was nothing short of spectacular: she posted 22 points and four steals. She has been hot for a while, having posted two or more steals the last 13 times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Olivia Barta, who put up nine points.
Meanwhile, Neligh-Oakdale was just a bucket shy of victory on Saturday and fell 44-43 to Stuart. While losing is never fun, the Warriors can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 237th, while the Broncos are ranked 106th).
Wausa will need focus on slowing down Bree Kester, one of several Neligh-Oakdale players who made an impact when they last played. She went 5 of 8 on her way to 11 points and five rebounds. The dominant performance gave Kester a new career-high in rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Rylee Tillema, who had eight points and five rebounds.
Even though they lost, Neligh-Oakdale smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've managed all season.
Wausa's victory bumped their record up to 4-7. As for Neligh-Oakdale, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-9.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Wausa has crashing the boards this season, having averaged 28.8 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Neligh-Oakdale struggles in that department as they've been averaging 21.7 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Wausa suffered a grim 40-17 defeat to Neligh-Oakdale in their previous meeting back in February of 2024. Will Wausa have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more basketball content.
