Potter-Dix, Leyton in must-win situations tonight

For both Leyton and Potter-Dix, it’s apparently win or go home this evening in their respective Class D District finals.

In Class D2-6, Leyton’s Warriors will carry a 20-1 record into the Sutherland finals against Sandhills/Thedford (22-4), while Potter-Dix (9-13) has the rugged task of taking on top-ranked Paxton (24-0) in the Creek Valley D1-6 finals in Chappell.

LEYTON ON EDGE

During volleyball season, LHS caught a break after being upset in the District finals, earning a wild-card bid. That might not be the case on the hardwood.

Some overnight tweaking by the Nebraska School Activities Association bumped the Warriors up one place to the No. 3 slot in the D2 wild-card race.

Wausa (22-2) is tops on the list (46.0833 in wild-card points), followed by Falls City-Sacred Heart (22-4, 46.0385) Leyton (20-1, 45.9048) and Wynot (21-3, 45.8750).

Falls City has already been eliminated, and is virtually guaranteed a state tournament wild-card berth.

Here’s where things get tricky if Leyton is beaten tonight: Wausa and Wynot face each other in Hartington, and it’s possible the Warriors lose out if Wynot wins that matchup.

Wausa already owns a 20-point win this season against Wynot.

But for Leyton coach Gary Oltmann, it’s a matter of just taking care of business.

“Like we always say, ‘The most important game is the next one,’” Oltmann said.

Oltmann and his team scouted Saturday’s Sandhills/Thedford’s Subdistrict title game win against Mullen.

“They are bigger than us,” Oltmann said. “They go 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. They are bigger and taller, I am just hoping we’re quicker.”

Leyton will pin its hopes on its big three scorers: senior Sam Schumacher (15.8 points per game), Brennen Cruise (14.9 points and 9.8 rebounds) and Dylan Brenner (10.6 points).

Cole Taylor, Matt McLeod and Aaron Freeman led S/T in scoring against Mullen with 16, 14 and eight points, respectively.

“We’re going to have to keep them off the boards, and not turn the ball over,” Oltmann said. “We have to hope for an up-tempo game, but they do a bit more subbing than we do.”

Tonight’s game is set for a 7 p.m. CT opening tip.

POTTER-DIX HOPES SLIPPER FITS

P-D coach Chad Miller knows his team is up against a tough foe in Paxton, having lost at home to the Tigers 90-34 on Dec. 8.

However, Paxton has been inhaling almost everyone it’s played.

Of the Tigers’ 24 wins, 17 of the margins have been 20 points of more, 13 have been by 30 or greater, nine by 40-plus and a half-dozen wins have come by 50 points or higher.

Miller says his team, which has been injury-riddled in the post (Trevor Harms and Cole Christensen), fits the role of Cinderella, or perhaps even David, in this matchup.

“Anytime you play an unbeaten team that is talented and well-coached, you hope your kids have the game of their lives,” Miller said.

The Coyotes hope to stay in contact with Paxton with the continued hot shooting of junior Bryant Knigge. Knigge had 29 points in P-D’s Subdistrict semifinal against Minatare.

“In the last six quarters, he’s 14 of 15 inside the 3-point line,” Miller said. “He hit eight in a row against Crawford in the finals.”

Paxton counters with its size, that being 6-5 Tristan Brott and 6-4 Kyle Storer.

“We hope we can force them to shoot outside,” Miller said. “As for our offense, we can’t be impatient and rushing shots. We have to wait for them to make mistakes, and we have to cut down on our turnovers.”

Miller full-well knows his team is a decided underdog.

“We know it’s pretty important for us to make sure things don’t get out of hand early,” Miller said.

Game time in Chappell is 7 p.m.