NTL BOYS' BASKETBALL: NEB'S BROWN NETS 1,000TH AS PANTHERS TOP NPL FOR SMALL SCHOOL TITLE (January 31, 2026)

Northern Tier Sports Report
LIBERTY — It was Cooper Brown’s night in more ways than one on Friday. The NEB forward scored his 1,000th career point, then hit two free throws with 1.2 seconds left to propel the Panthers past NP-Liberty, 48-46, during NTL hoops action.

“A big milestone for Coop tonight, joining the 1,000 point club,” said NEB coach Paul Burgert. “He's played a lot of ball and put in a lot of work to get here. It was great to see his teammates celebrate with him and share in the moment. Coop has hit a lot of big shots over the past three seasons. Add his 1,001 and 1,002 points to the list as two clutch free throws gave us the lead with 1 second left. I’m just super happy for him and proud of all the guys.”

The win seals up the NTL Small School title for the Panthers.

NPL didn’t make it easy, though. Every time NEB would get a lead, the Mounties would claw their way back.

Thrice the Panthers opened up advantages of seven points, and both times NPL came back to knot things up.

In the fourth NPL took a lead of 41-35 early, but this time it was NEB’s turn to rally, eventually tying t up at 46-all with 11.2 seconds left.

A Mountie turnover led to the foul that sent Brown to the line, where he swished both for the win.

Clay Wilks had 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting to go with eight boards to lead NEB, as Eli Stanton netted 11 points, five assists, and two steals.

Brown had eight points, four boards, three assists, and two steals, with Dayton Russell getting six points, and seven rebounds.

Dan Barrett had four points, and four boards, as Mac Burgert netted three points to go with two steals.

Nate Gross chipped in with two points, and four boards.

NEB had the edge in offensive rebounds, 15-6.

Evan McTish led NPL with 21 points, as Landon Mattern netted 12. Luke Kreger was held in check with five points.

NEB led 9-2 halfway through the first quarter only to watch NPL cut it to 11-10. A pair of free throws from Stanton gave NEB a 3-point lead at the first horn.

NPL went on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter and take a 15-13 lead. 

The Panthers came back with a 9-0 spurt, sparked by a Stanton driving lay-up.

Barrett had a breakaway, Wilks notched a bucket, then Burgert finished off the rally with a 3-ball to put NEB up 22-15.

NPL would cut it to 25-21 at the half, then tie it up early in the third with a 4-0 run.

NEB came back with a 7-0 spurt, sparked by a Wilks bucket, followed by Brown hitting a 3-ball. Another Wilks basket made it 32-25 Panthers.

NPL would rally to take a tie it up at 32-all, only to watch NEB take a 35-32 lead going into the fourth behind a Gross put back, followed by a Stanton freebie.

The early fourth was all Mounties as they went on a 9-0 run to take a 41-35 lead.

NEB would chip away, cutting it to 43-42 thanks to a Wilks bucket. McTish would hit two free throws for a 45-42 score, but another NEB basket made it a 1-point game again.

A Kreger free throw saw NPL go up 46-44 with 26.6 seconds, but at the other end Stanton was sent to the line, where he made both to make it 46-all with 11.2 to play.

Then the rest was history.

NEB (16-2) will host CV on Monday.

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PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM

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