The Exira-EHK Spartans girls basketball team will have a chance to get back to the State Tournament on Monday night after knocking off the CAM Cougars 63-49 on Friday in Elk Horn. Kealey Nelson was the early catalyst for the Spartans dropping in 15 points in the first half and securing a number of big rebounds. The Spartans had a 12-7 edge by the end of the first quarter and pushed it out to a 32-24 advantage by halftime. The Spartans inched away further in the second half and led 48-35 after three quarters. The Spartans then secured the game by making 10-12 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen didn’t think his team played their best basketball. Sophia Peppers had a slow night by her standards with 11 points and Coach Petersen said they know teams are going to focus on trying to stop her and others have to step up.

Kealey Nelson finished with 17 points to lead the Spartans and Kamryn Waymire had 11 including three triples. The Spartans improved to 22-1 with the win and Coach Petersen said he was proud that his team found a way to move on.

CAM had three players in double figures led by Madison Gettler with 12 points. Paige McAfee and Sami Jahde each had 11. The Cougars hung tough through much of the game but couldn’t overcome a large number of turnovers and some sporadic shooting. The Cougars season comes to an end with a record of 18-5.

The Spartans improved to 22-1 and will now play a rubber-match against Boyer Valley in the Regional Final on Monday night. That game will be played at AHSTW High School in Avoca with a 7:00pm tip-off. Jim Field will have that game starting with an audio only broadcast on KJANTV and we’ll join the game on the air as well after the conclusion of Atlantic vs. Denison in boys playoff hoops.