Riverside has been in many state tournaments since the school was established in the merger with Spalding. The Chargers were often postseason favorites, with powerful teams, outstanding seasons and rewarding championships.

Riverside’s sub-district and district run this past week was not exactly a shocker - after all, the Chargers were on a hot streak entering the postseason. It was not exactly “expected” either, facing a district final trip to Omaha World-Herald D1 #6 McCool Junction.

It makes the Chargers’ accomplishment just that much sweeter.

Riverside hosted the D1-5 sub-district Feb. 20-24, dispatching Fullerton 51-33 with a fierce defen-sive effort in the second half. The Chargers limited Fullerton (12-12) to just eight points following intermission, pulling away from a near stalemate (27-25) at intermission. In an up and down offensive performance Riverside combined for 34 points in the second and third periods, led by Dane Schalk (17), Jack Molt (12) and Larry Diessner (11).

Fullerton 14 11 4 4 33 Riverside 9 18 8 16 51 Riverside Scoring: Schalk 17, J. Molt 12, Diessner 11, Carraher 3, A. Glesinger 3, B. Glesinger 2, Berger 2, Keehn 1.

Riverside then battled Elgin/ Pope John (12-10) in the D1-5 final Thursday, using a 19-point fourth period to propel a 51-45 victory. The Chargers trailed 22-16 at halftime following a two-point second quarter, then rallied to knot the score in the third before outscoring the Wolfpack 19-13 in the final stanza. Schalk again paced the offensive effort with 14 points.

Elgin/P. John 9 13 10 13 45 Riverside 14 2 16 19 51 Riverside Scoring: Schalk 14, J. Molt 9, Diessner 8, Carraher 8, B. Glesinger 7, Keehn 5.

Riverside hit the road for the first time in the 2024 postseason Saturday, traveling to McCool Junction to face the Mustangs. In the battle of steeds, with a state tourney berth on the line, it was the Chargers racing to victory with a furious finishing kick.

McCool Junction (19-4) cooly built a 32-24 halftime lead in the D1-4 final, but that just set up Riverside’s rally heroics. The Chargers still trailed 43-36 at the end of three quarters before charging to the win, outscoring McCool 25-10 in the final eight minutes. The late offensive explosion was paced by leading Riverside (19-7) scorers Jack Molt (20), Diessner (16) and Drew Carraher (15).

Get ready Lincoln ... here comes the Chargers!

Riverside 7 17 12 25 61 McCool Junc. 16 16 11 10 53 Riverside Scoring: J. Molt 20, Diessner 16, Carraher 15, Schalk 6, Keehn 4.