RPAC Rundown Featured Matchup Preview: C2-4 District Final #4 Alma versus #13 EMF
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. CT, #4 Alma will play host to #13 Exeter-Milligan/Friend for the opportunity to play in the 2026 NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament, which runs from March 11th-14th in Lincoln. Let's check out the matchup.
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Alma Cardinal Boys Basketball
Record: 25-1
Head Coach: Mike Ford
Won the C2-7 Subdistrict to make it to a District Final. They beat H&H 65-40 earlier this week, then Sutton 52-28 on Thursday.
Alma has been excellent on offense this season, scoring about 63 points per game while shooting 47% from the field.
On defense, they have been equally as good, allowing about 35 points per game.
Their lone loss is to Cozad back on December 20th, 65-34. Cozad is playing in the C1-3 District.
Alma has a pair of seniors averaging about 16 points per game: Zavier Mitchell and Tucker Biskup.
Alma also gets a nice scoring punch from junior Grady Faimon at 8.8 points per game, Isiah Neal at 7.3 points per game, and junior Creighton Lynch at 6.4 points per game. Neal has knocked down 43 three-pointers per game to lead Alma.
This team is a very connected squad on the defensive side, and Faimon anchors it, playing tough in the paint.
It's been a minute since Alma has made the state tournament: 2003 was the last time they made it, and it has been since 1957 that they have won a game at state. The Cardinals have 15 state appearances.
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EMF Bobcat Boys Basketball
Record: 17-7
Head Coach: Brian Arp
Competed in the C2-1 Subdistrict, a tough sub in C2. They fell in the opening round to Johnson-Brock, but got in with a wildcard.
The Bobcats also score at a high level, averaging 64.3 points per game.
On defense, they allow 47.6 points per game.
Junior Grady Bresson has had a big year, averaging 21.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Fellow junior Keltyn Kirchoff averaged about 14 points per game.
The Bobcats are averaging about 15 assists per game.
The Bobcats qualified for state in 2025, losing in the first round to Summerland.
Exeter Milligan had four state appearances before its co-op.
Friend had 19 state appearances before its co-op.
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