Overton backs up state volleyball championship and earns Basketball Class D2 crown.

Sophomore Daisy Ryan was the spark. Senior Natalie Wood fanned the flames as the Eagles won the state basketball championship with a 44-40 win over Wynot on Saturday night in Lincoln.

“It's really crazy. I think we're the only team in the state to do that this year, and we have a special girls team,” said senior guard Ashlyn Florel, who scored seven points in the final.

Whynot is also no stranger to state championship experience. On Saturday, the Blue Devils made their 13th appearance in the state basketball championship and first since 2006. With eight wins in that span, the Blue Devils built a 9-2 lead while Overton struggled with turnovers and missed shots.

“We started a little slow. I think we got some nerves early on, especially with Whynot putting pressure on the ball. But our girls fought back,” Overton coach Janessa Bergman said. .

Ryan came off the bench and made three 3-pointers as the Eagles (28-1) overcame a 20-11 deficit to lead 23-20 at halftime.

“I was a little timid last night (in the state semifinal win over Howells Dodge). I was definitely nervous playing, but it gave my teammates the confidence to really step up and play together. “He gave it to me,” Ryan said.

She scored 11 points by halftime and helped Overton's offense recover.

“They were really big. They got us out of a scoring drought,” Bergman said. “It gave us confidence back and allowed us to play our game.”

As Overton warmed up, Whynot cooled down. The Blue Devils made 7 of 14 shots in the first quarter. Overton was unable to score another seven points until the fourth quarter, holding an eight-point lead.

Wood played a key role in Whynot's offensive slide and Overton's rise. The 5-10 senior dominated the boards again, grabbing 20 rebounds in the Eagles' semifinal victory. She grabbed 23 rebounds and scored 14 points. Overton scored 21 of his 44 points in second chances and fanned the flames with 11 of the Eagles' 20 points. Her 23 rebounds were one rebound more than Wynott's team total.

Wood said her rebound total means more than just a statistic.

“I want my guards to feel confident shooting because I think they're all great shooters. I always tell them, 'Go ahead and shoot, I've got your back. I'll be there. I keep telling them, 'I'm going to hold on to you, so take the shot.' If the shot doesn't fall, put it back,'' Wood said.

Point guard Kinsley Himes led Wynot with 18 points, and Kenna Eigmuller added 11 points. Whynot's team finished with 22 rebounds, one less than Wood.

The basketball trophy will be placed next to the volleyball trophy, which was the Eagles' first state championship in school history. This will be a lasting legacy to the senior class, which had five members of his on the basketball team.

“There's not much you can compare to them, because they all show up. They work extra hard in the weight room. They work extra hard in school. They have a drive that's very hard to replicate. ,” Bergman said. .