Bennington goes on late run to down Pius 55-52

Bennington finished the game on a 10-2 run and defeated Lincoln Pius X 55-52 in the Class B state semifinals.

March 7, 2026Updated: March 7, 2026
By Michael Shively

COACH INTERVIEW

HARPER BOHABOJ INTERVIEW

LINCOLN — Bennington finished the game on a 10-2 run and defeated Lincoln Pius X 55-52 in the Class B state semifinals.

The victory puts the undefeated #2 Badgers in the state championship game for the first time since 2009. The program has never won a state title. The #3 Thunderbolts end the season 21-5.

The teams traded blows early before Pius settled in in the second quarter and built a three-point halftime lead. An Ava Markowski layup put Pius in front by five with 2:39 remaining. That’s when the Badgers went on their game-sealing run to close it out.

Harper Bohaboj led the Badgers with 19 points, including five in the final few minutes. Markowski paced Pius with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Bennington will play #4 Gretna East in the Class B final at 6:15 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

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