Scottsbluff rallies to defeat Gretna East in opening round of Class B

LINCOLN, Neb. – Scottsbluff overcame a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat Gretna East 65-60 in the opening round of the Nebraska School Activities Association Class B Boys State Basketball Tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday.

Trailing 38-26 at the break, the Bearcats outscored the Griffins 39-22 over the final two quarters. Nathan Kelley led the charge with 19 points and 5 assists, while Keon Delgado added 16 on an efficient 8-of-9 shooting. Bluffs as a team shot 56% from the floor. 

Scottsbluff stormed back late, tying the game at 49 with 6:42 remaining on a three-pointer by John Boswell. Moments later, a layup by Delgado gave the Bearcats their first lead of the second half. The Griffins kept it close, but clutch free throws by Boswell and Desmonde Smith in the final seconds sealed the victory.

Gretna East built its lead early behind Drayke Brown, who finished with 18 points and 5 assists, and Talan Hovie, who added 13. The Griffins led by as many as 17 points in the second quarter before Scottsbluff mounted its comeback.

The Bearcats' defense tightened in the second half, holding Gretna East to just nine points in the third quarter while outscoring them 18-9 in the frame. 

No. 2 Scottsbluff (24-3) advances to the Class B state semifinals vs. No. 6 Elkhorn North at 7:45 p.m. CDT at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The game will be available on News Channel Nebraska TV.