The goal of following up a perfect football season and a state championship with an unblemished record and a state title in boys’ basketball eluded Humphrey St. Francis on Saturday.

St. Francis was downed by Falls City Sacred Heart 45-33 in the Class D2 championship at Pinnacle Bank Arena.  The Flyers struggled with their outside shooting stroke, going just 2-of-20 from three-point range.  The Irish also won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding HSF 42-29.

Sacred Heart senior Tyler Witt had game-highs with 13 points and 16 rebounds.  The Flyers were led by the Pfeifer brothers.  Senior Trevor had a team-best 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while sophomore Tanner had a team-high 10 rebounds and added nine points.

Making its 14th championship game appearance in its 26th trip to the state tourney, St. Francis (27-1) settled for its seventh runner-up finish.  Playing in their 12th championship in 22 trips to Lincoln, Sacred Heart (29-1) claimed its tenth state crown.  It was the second-ever meeting – and first since 1988 – in the boys’ basketball tourney between the two schools, who have met in the state football playoffs in four of the last five seasons.

In Saturday’s third place game in Class D1, defending state champ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family defeated top-seeded North Platte St. Pat’s 50-36. The Bulldogs finished with a 26-4 record.