St. Pat's Irish top Loomis for D-1 state title

LINCOLN, Neb. — North Platte St. Patrick’s finished a 25-2 state championship season with its 65-57 over Loomis in the Class D-1 basketball finals Friday morning.

The Wolves (23-5 record) reached this title game when they rallied past Dundy County-Stratton, 60-48, during semifinals on Wednesday.

Top scorer Quinn Johnson scored 18 for Loomis after 32 vs. DC-S. However, he hit just six of 18 shots.

Senior Shay Swanson added 18 points but the talented Irish countered with Brecken Erickson’s 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The Irish were ranked No. 1 almost all season and scored a memorable 70-55 over No. 2 DC-S in Benkelman last month.