• Photo Showcase: Prep basketball, Jan. 21

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It was fitting that Beatrice senior guard Trey Bardsley had the River Cities Conference tournament plaque in his duffel bag Saturday night after the game.

He was the guy most responsible for his team’s 66-63 victory against Class B No. 1 South Sioux City.

Bardsley poured in a career-high 31 points to lead the third-ranked Orangemen in the championship game at Omaha Roncalli. The senior guard outdueled Iowa recruit Mike Gesell, who scored 27 for the 9-5 Cardinals.

“It’s a great feeling to beat that team,” Bardsley said. “We were able to get some momentum at the end and that was the difference.”

The victory capped a doubleheader sweep for Beatrice, which also defeated the Cardinals 55-45 in the girls tournament final.

South Sioux, the two-time defending Class B boys state champion, led by 10 with 5:09 left. But Beatrice went on a 15-0 run sparked by Bardsley, who scored seven points during stretch.

Orangemen coach Jim Weeks said his team learned something from a 76-60 loss at South Sioux City last Saturday night.

“Even when we were down, we stayed relaxed,’’ he said. “When we got behind up there, we panicked.’’

Beatrice (12-1) cut it to 56-55 on a 3-pointer by Bardsley and then took the lead for good on its next trip down the court. Bardsley was fouled by senior forward Kaden Moore while driving the baseline, and Moore also was slapped with a technical foul.

“I’m trying to be politically correct here, but I think Kaden got hosed on that call,’’ Cardinals coach Terry Comstock said. “But he’s got to learn that you’ve got to keep your head in that situation.’’

Bardsley stepped to the line with 2:04 left and sank all four free throws. The Orangemen got the ball back and extended their lead to 61-56 on a putback by Blake Ruiz.

A jumper by Austin Groth and a layup by Gesell drew South Sioux within 61-60 with 40 seconds left, but two free throws by Bardsley and one by Matt Fujan extended the Beatrice lead to four with 19 seconds left.

Gesell then swished a 3-pointer, but Bardsley sank his final two free throws with 7.2 seconds left to put Beatrice ahead by three. The Cardinals had one final chance to tie the game, but an uncontested 3-pointer by Groth bounced off the rim just before the buzzer.

“We got the look we wanted on that last play,’’ Comstock said. “I’m guessing he’s going to knock down that shot 8 out of 10 times.’’

The Cardinals led most of the way, though it was just 26-23 at halftime. South Sioux led by five after three quarters and then extended its advantage to 10 in the opening minutes of the fourth.

But Bardsley, who scored 22 points in the second half, fueled the rally. He had 14 in the fourth quarter — a pair of 3-pointers and eight free throws.

“Trey played better than he did the first time we played them,’’ Weeks said. “Our whole team did.’’

The Orangemen shot 67 percent from the field (19 of 28) and 73 percent from the foul (22 of 30). The Cardinals shot 52 percent from the field (24 of 46) and 80 percent from the line (12 of 15).

“To play a team close like that is one thing,’’ Weeks said. “But to get over the hump and beat them is something.’’

Beatrice (12-1).......................16 7 18 25 -- 66

S. Sioux City (9-5)...................18 8 20 17 -- 63

B: Matt Fujan 6, Blake Ruiz 8, Trey Bardsley 31, Derek Faxon 3, Tandon Dorn 10, Jordan Harlan 8.

SSC: Mike Gesell 27, Nate Rogers 7, Austin Groth 9, Kaden Moore 12, Taylor Jensen 8.