The Alma Cardinals Sweep the 2026 RPAC Basketball Tournaments

Well, folks, we’ve made it. A lot of great games over the last week, culminating at the Graff Events Center at McCook Community College on Saturday, January 31st. The Alma Girls Basketball Team won their first-ever RPAC Title, and the Cardinal Boys Basketball Team is now the back-to-back champs. Let's check out the results.

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First, for the consolation games. 

Our first game of the day was #2 seed from the East Arapahoe and the #2 seed from the West Maywood-Hayes Center. Both teams play an up-tempo style. Arapahoe had the lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-11. 

The Wolves countered with a really strong second quarter, and they led 28-23 heading to halftime as Caylie Softley hit a three right before time expired. In the third quarter, the teams continued to battle back and forth, with the score tied 35-35 heading into the final period. 

This game continued to be close. Karissa Stengel hit a floater late, with about 2:20 to go, to make it 41-39; the Wolves trailed. Haley Gustafson then hit a 15-footer to tie it at 41-41 with 1:45 to go. 

Sawyer Shafer then countered with a layup to put Arapahoe up 43-41. And then Suttyn Shafer hit a floater to go up 45-41 with about 40 seconds to go. The Warriors closed it out to get a 47-41 win. 

We chatted with Clara Hilker of Arapahoe after the Game. Interview brought to you by Acme Printing Company.

For MHC, Caylie Softley had 16 points, and Karissa Stengel had 9. 

For Arapahoe, Suttyn Shafer had 28 points to lead Arapahoe. 

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Players of the Game, are brought to you by Farmers National Company-Lori Harding, Real Estate Sales.

Our second game of the day was the boys consolation game between the #2 seed from the East, Bertrand and #3 seed from the West, Wallace. In the first quarter, the offense was firing on all cylinders as Bertrand led 19-17. Bertrand extended its lead slightly, going up 31-25 at halftime. 

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Bertrand extended the lead throughout the second half and claimed the win, 65-49.

We chatted with Thunder Nelson of Bertrand after the Game. Interview brought to you by Acme Printing Company.

For Bertrand, Thunder Nelson had 23 points, Hunter Nelson had 15, and Scottie Bieker scored 14. 

For Wallace, Colt Franklin had 23, and Max Hanson totaled 12.

Players of the Game, are brought to you by Farmers National Company-Lori Harding, Real Estate Sales.

Now for our championship games. 

The girls matchup was #1 seed from the East Alma versus the #1 seed from the West, Dundy County Stratton. Alma came out with a lot of pressure on defense and took a 15-7 lead after the opening eight minutes. 

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The Tigers were working their way back until Vayden Epp hit a corner three-pointer, pushing the lead to 20-11, and then Tierston Moore hit a 15-foot elbow jumper to make it 22-11. DCS took a timeout with 4:14 to go in the half. Vayden Epp of Alma hit a three at the buzzer to make the lead 34-18 heading to the half. 

DCS forced a flurry of turnovers late in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 42-33 heading into the final stanza. Right when it looked like Alma was going to be able to secure the win without much trouble, the Tigers hit a three from Ava Lutz to make it 53-47 with about 11.6 seconds to go. 

The Cardinals, though, hung on for the win, 57-47. 

We chatted with Kamri Neal of Alma after the Game. Interview brought to you by Acme Printing Company.

Kamryn Scott led the scoring with 21 points, and Vayden Epp had 16 for the Cardinals. Tierston Moore and Kamri Neal each had 8. 

For DCS, they were led by Abi Spargo with 19 points, and Clara Spargo totaled 12. Ava Lutz added 8. 

For DCS, this is their fifth runner-up finish at the RPAC Tournament. They also have five RPAC Titles in their history.

For Alma, it's their first-ever Girls RPAC Basketball Title.

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Players of the Game, are brought to you by Farmers National Company-Lori Harding, Real Estate Sales.

For the boys championship, it was #1 from the East Alma versus #5 from the West, Hitchcock County. The Cardinals started out quickly, up 12 to 5 with 2:22 to go in the first. The Falcons took a timeout. Alma kept their offensive attack rolling, as they led 19-9 after one.

In the second quarter, the Falcons got within four about halfway through the period, 21-17. Alma, though, was able to take a double-digit lead to the half, 33-22.  In the third quarter, Alma increased the lead to 46-29 heading to the fourth quarter.

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The Falcons never gave up, but the Cardinals were too strong, winning 64-32. 

We chatted with Grady Faimon of Alma after the Game. Interview brought to you by Acme Printing Company.

For Alma, Tucker Biskup had 20 points, Grady Faimon had 15, Isaiah Neal scored 12, and Zavier Mitchell had 11. 

For the Falcons, Adam Kisker had 12, and Jayce Hauxwell scored 8. 

For Hitchcock County, it's their second RPAC Boys Basketball Tournament runner-up.

Alma collects their second RPAC Boys Basketball Championship, they won it last year too.

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Players of the Game, are brought to you by Farmers National Company-Lori Harding, Real Estate Sales.

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Check out the highlights from the games brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.