• Video: Highlights from the Hastings Ct. Cecilia-Norfolk Catholic game:



• Photo Showcase: Friday's semifinals

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LINCOLN — With a 16-point lead early in the fourth quarter, two-time defending state champion Hastings St. Cecilia appeared ready to cruise into yet another Class C-1 final.

Norfolk Catholic then staged a frantic rally with a 25-point final period. But the Knights came up just short, losing to the second-ranked Bluehawks 55-52. The victory allows St. Cecilia (24-1) the chance to secure a third consecutive state title and fifth overall in Saturday's 11:30 a.m. championship.

“Give our kids credit for battling back,'' Knights coach Shane Anderson said. “It was a hard-fought game, and we battled them until the very end.''

The Bluehawks led by just three points at halftime but scored the first eight of the third quarter to extend their advantage to 33-22. Senior forward Paul Goedert scored a pair of baskets during that run while senior guard Dalton Sealey and junior center Zach Sterup added one apiece.

That lead grew to 16 early in the fourth quarter when senior guard Joe Ryan sank a pair of free throws. But that's when the Knights began their late charge, which was keyed by senior guard Kelby Seyl.

He scored 12 points in the final period — including the first 10 of the quarter for the Knights — to cut St. Cecilia's seemingly insurmountable lead down to single digits. But when Seyl fouled out with 2:47 left, Norfolk Catholic was still staring at an eight-point deficit.

The Knights were forced to foul down the stretch, and the Bluehawks obliged by missing several free throws. St. Cecilia made just 9 of 19 from the line in the fourth quarter, and Norfolk Catholic crept within 54-52 on a putback by Austin Ketter with 7.6 seconds left.

The Bluehawks' Beau Schwenka then was fouled with 6.7 seconds left and made just the second of two free throws, giving the Knights one final chance to tie. But a 3-point attempt from the top of the key by junior forward Ben Uhing bounced off the front of the rim and St. Cecilia had its victory.

“We missed some free throws, but we'll make them tomorrow,'' Bluehawks coach Kevin Asher said. “We'll be playing on TV, and that's right where we wanted to be when this season started back in November.''

Sealey led the Bluehawks with 17 points before fouling out with 1:07 left. Uhing scored 19 to lead the 23-3 Knights, who will play in a 10 a.m. consolation game Saturday at Lincoln Southwest.

Norfolk Catholic (23-3)...............13 9 5 25 -- 52
Hastings SC (24-1)...............................12 13 17 13 -- 55
• NC: Austin Ketter 6, Ben Rowse 6, Jarren Heng 5, Ethan Brozek 2, Kelby Seyl 14, Ben Uhing 19.
• HSC: Dalton Sealey 17, Matt Kissinger 2, Joe Ryan 3, Paul Goedert 9, Beau Schwenka 14, Zach Sterup 10.

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