Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Brennan Holder of South Central Calhoun drives against Southeast Valley’s Carter Lane on Tuesday in Manson. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

MANSON — Zane Neubaum waited patiently for the right time to pounce.

The 6-foot-3 South Central Calhoun senior used his incredible length to anchor the defense, forcing several turnovers and scoring a game-high 33 points in a 62-47 victory here Tuesday night.

With the win, the Titans (19-4 overall) claimed the Class 2A, District 2 title, advancing to Saturday night’s substate champion against fourth-ranked West Sioux (21-2), an 83-66 winner over Cherokee.

Neubaum was held scoreless through nearly the first 10 minutes of the game before quickly knocking in four points — the latter of which came off of a steal and dunk on the other end.

“They were throwing some new defenses on us and we were running some new offenses, too,” Neubaum said. “We started slow, which can happen when you are playing a team that knows you.”

During the regular season, South Central Calhoun and the Jaguars (17-6) split their two meetings. The reigning Twin Lakes Conference champions, though, made sure to take the rubber match when it mattered most.

Last year, South Central Calhoun was stunned by Madrid in this round — something that was on the mind of Neubaum after the victory.

“We felt like we could have gone a lot farther last year,” he said. “We know we could have. But this feels great because we get to keep going now and see how far as we can get.”

Along with Neubaum’s scoring effort, Landon Schleisman, Cole Corey and Joshua Dietrich each scored eight. Brennan Holder added five for the Titans, who have won 15 of 16 since the loss to Southeast Valley.

For the Jaguars, sophomore Aaron Graves had 25 points with Robert Jepsen adding seven. Kolson Kruse battled foul trouble and finished with six, while Carter Lane added five and Chase Swieter four.

“They are just so athletic, especially with Neubaum at the top of that zone,” Southeast Valley head coach Kyle Johnson said. “Kolson being in foul trouble really hurt us. But credit to Neubaum because he is a heck of a player and credit to them because they are a great team.”

South Central Calhoun claimed a quick 6-0 lead before hitting a wall as the Jaguars used an 11-2 run to go up on the scoreboard. Graves and Neubaum went point-for-point in the second, as the University of Iowa football recruit scored eight with Neubaum posting 12.

In the third, Neubaum and his teammates took control against Graves. The Titans had four different players score, led by 12 more by Neubaum, as Graves accounted for all 11 of Southeast Valley’s points.

“Aaron had a heck of a game,” Johnson said. “It’s tough, earning a big win over an East Sac County team and having to play the conference champions, but we gave it everything.

“Our six seniors competed every single day in practice. They are all great kids, led by Carter, who was our leader out there.”

Lane, Hunter Kruse, Jepsen, Swieter, Lincoln Miller and Ross Haligan all completed their careers with the Jaguars last night. The 17 victories this season were the most for the school since winning 17 in 2016-17.

For the Titans, Joshua Dietrich had eight rebounds with Corey, Jacob Schultz and Holder grabbing seven each. Corey also blocked two shots.

Neubaum has scored 1,162 points in his career for SCC.

SOUTH CENTRAL CALHOUN 62, SOUTHEAST VALLEY 47

South Central Calhoun — Landon Schleisman 8, Cole Corey 8, Zane Neubaum 33, Brennan Holder 5, Joshua Dietrich 8.

Southeast Valley — Carter Lane 5, Kolson Kruse 6, Aaron Graves 25, Chase Swieter 4, Robert Jepsen 7.

Quarter scores: Southeast Valley led 11-8, 26-22, South Central Calhoun led 43-37. Three-point goals: South Central Calhoun 2 (Corey, Neubaum); Southeast Valley 5 (Lane, Kruse 2, Graves, Jepsen). Total rebounds: South Central Calhoun 34, Southeast Valley 25. Steals: South Central Calhoun 12, Southeast Valley 5. Blocked shots: South Central Calhoun 3, Southeast Valley 1. Turnovers: South Central Calhoun 8, Southeast Valley 15.