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Former McCook coach's Titans win Class A state title
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - At long last, the Titans are on top.
Papillion-La Vista South boys basketball took home the Class A state championship Saturday, the first in the program’s history. Bryson Bahl led the Titans with 21 points in the 61-58 victory over Westside.
“Three straight years of falling just short of even making state, and in our last year we get to make it, make it all the way and win it,” the senior forward said. “It’s everything we’ve been working for all four years.”
The top-seeded Titans already made history, appearing in their first title game. After a sluggish first quarter, Papio South separated from Westside behind Bahl’s nine-point second quarter to hit halftime up 32-20.
The Warriors adjusted out of the locker room, outscoring the Titans 23-13 in the third quarter. Trell Snoddy closed the frame with an off-balance jumper to pull Westside within two, then drilled a triple to open the fourth quarter to give the Warriors the 46-45 edge.
Enter Jayden Herrera.
The 6-foot-4 senior hit back-to-back buckets, a five-point swing to give Papio South the lead back, 50-46. On four occasions over the remaining 5:35, Westside made it a one-possession game. Free throws from Bahl and sophomore Levi Webb helped seal the 61-58 victory.
“Every day from the beginning of August to now, these guys have been putting in the work and doing it together,” Titans head coach Joel Hueser said. “Just so proud of them for doing really hard things and that’s what winning the state championship is all about.”