North Bend Central pulls away late for conference title

The Tigers routed West Point-Beemer 72-52

February 8, 2026Updated: February 8, 2026
By Eric McKay

STANTON - The North Bend Central Tigers dominated the second half, taking down West Point-Beemer 72-52 to win the East Husker Conference championship.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Tigers used timely shooting and dominant defense to pull away and win their second East Husker title in their last three seasons and 11th overall.

For the Cadets, the quest for their first ever conference title as a consolidated program continues, as they finish runner-up for the second straight season.

SCORING SUMMARY

NORTH BEND CENTRAL (17-5) - 14 13 21 24 - 72

WEST POINT-BEEMER (15-6) - 12 11 16 13 - 52

TEAM STATS:

NORTH BEND CENTRAL

  1. FG: 22/47 (46.8%)
  2. 3P: 8/19 (42.1%)
  3. FT: 20/31 (64.5%)

WEST POINT-BEEMER

  1. FG: 18/48 (37.5%)
  2. 3P: 4/14 (28.6%)
  3. FT: 12/17 (70.6%)

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

NORTH BEND CENTRAL

  1. Reid Karnatz: 9 pts, 2 rebs
  2. Ethan Kluck: 9 pts, 7 rebs
  3. Braxton Chvatal: 10 pts, 2 rebs
  4. Drew Sterup: 11 pts, 6 rebs
  5. Koda Baehr: 21 pts, 5 rebs
  6. Ryder Brabec: 4 pts, 5 rebs
  7. Cash Hanis: 8 pts, 3 rebs

WEST POINT-BEEMER

  1. Mason Toelle: 8 pts
  2. Hunter Swanson: 9 pts, 4 rebs
  3. Peyton Penrose: 6 pts, 2 rebs
  4. Hunter Doggett: 5 pts, 2 rebs
  5. Myles Nielsen: 10 pts, 1 reb
  6. Blaize Brockman: 6 pts, 3 rebs
  7. Ian Schiller: 6 pts, 5 rebs
  8. Nate Vander Griend: 2 pts, 4 rebs