HCHS girls nearly knock off Gretna

 OMAHA, NEB. (Jan. 20) -- Harlan Community pushed one of Nebraska’s top girls basketball teams to the limit last Saturday afternoon before coming up just short in the Nebraska Prep Classic at Ralston Arena.
 The Cyclones led Gretna 51-47 in the fourth quarter but committed crucial turnovers during an 8-0 Dragons run and were defeated 59-55.
 Gretna, which moved up to number one in this week’s Class B state rankings by the Omaha World-Herald, made 18-of-20 free throws in the game and improved to 11-3 on the season. HCHS dropped to 7-7 overall.
 Senior Lexi Larsen hit 3-of-5 three-pointers and made all eight of her free throws in scoring a career-high 21 points for the Cyclones. Larsen also led the team with four assists.