The Superior Express -

And so it ends. The Superior High School girls basketball team saw their aspirations for a state championship title come to an end in the first round Thursday at Lincoln's North Star High School. Bitter arch rival Hastings St. Cecilia downed Superior 56-43 to eliminate the Wildcats. Hastings St. Cecilia would go on to claim the state C-2 title Saturday.

There is no love lost between these two teams. Superior trailed 9-7 after the first quarter. Trouble was brewing for Superior. Kalynn Meyer, the offensive and defensive bulwark of the team, began to accumulate fouls at an alarming rate. Superior trailed 26-19 at the half. The bigger issue was the four personal fouls which burdened K. Meyer as the third quarter got underway. Near the end of the third quarter, Meyer was called for her fifth personal foul, ending her participation in the game and what would turn out to be the final game of her Superior basketball career. Superior trailed 38-35 at the end of three. Though they were within striking distance, Superior was unable to close the gap as the loss of K. Meyer proved to be too much to overcome. When the final buzzer sounded, Hastings St. Cecilia advanced to the semi-final round and Superior was relegated to the role of spectator for the remainder of the tournament.

Kaylnn Meyer controls the tip off for Superior during their game at the Nebraska State Girls Basketball tournament against Hastings St. Cecilia.

It was the final game for Jim Sullivan, head coach of the Wildcats, who leaves with a state title and several appearances at state on his resume. The seniors on the team, Zaveah Kobza, Hallie Miller, Emma Schnakenberg, Trisha Hayes, Kathrin Elsner, Noelle McMeen and K. Meyer, played their final basketball game for Superior. The team won the state championship in 2018 while exiting in the first round in 2019 and 2020.

Shayla Meyer led the Wildcats scoring with 20 points. She collected five rebounds. K. Meyer contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds during her game minutes. Hayes added four points and two rebounds. Miller scored three points. Z. Kobza posted two points and three rebounds. Neah McMeen and Schnakenberg each hit a free throw for one point. Schnakenberg pulled down a rebound.

Though the team bids farewell to a large number of seniors, there is a solid core of underclassmen waiting to step up next season under a new head coach. The growing pains will be present as there was one junior on the team this season. There is ample talent awaiting their opportunities to shine.