Terry Douglass, Central Nebraska Today
HASTINGS — Minden nearly saw an 18‑point lead disappear Friday night, but the Whippets steadied themselves just enough in the final seconds to escape with a 70-68 win over Hastings in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Traelin Christensen scored 20 points to lead Minden (13-9), which built a 35-22 halftime advantage and appeared in control until Hastings erupted for 32 points in the fourth quarter. Luke Grollmes added 16 points, Luke Craig had 14 and Landon Bules finished with nine points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The Whippets went 27 of 40 at the free-throw line, including 12 of 20 in the fourth quarter.
Hastings (1-19) mounted its rally behind guards Creighton Sidlo and Clayten Arlt. Sidlo poured in 18 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, while Arlt scored 16 of his 23 after halftime.
The Tigers trimmed the deficit to five three times in the final 3:13 and pulled within 67-65 on Sidlo’s 3-pointer with 33 seconds left. Christensen answered with a free throw, and Jackson Armstrong added another after a steal to push the lead back to four with 18.3 seconds remaining.
After a missed Hastings 3-pointer, Cole Schwenka hit a free throw with 9.8 seconds left to make it 70-65. Arlt buried a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining, but Hastings had no timeouts left and Minden didn’t have to inbound before time expired.
Hastings opens Class B, District 4 play Monday at Seward. Minden faces Doniphan-Trumbull on Tuesday in the Class C-1, Subdistrict 8 tournament at Gothenburg.
Minden 70, Hastings High 68
Minden (13-9)……….17 18 19 16—70
Hastings (1-19)………14 8 14 32—68
MINDEN—Jackson Armstrong 3, Landon Bules 9, Luke Grollmes 16, Luke Craig 14, Traelin Christensen 20, Cole Schwenka 8.
HASTINGS—Creighton Sidlo 24, Clayten Arlt 23, Brayden Sawicki 6, Luke Nollette 9, Ruei Duang 5, Owen Ablott 1.
