Fasten your seat belts hoops fans, this could be a year of shocks in some sub-district basketball tournaments.  It’s going to take a pretty good high school basketball expert to hit them all this year, and that makes it even more fun.   It all commences Monday night with play-in games at some sites in classes C-1, C-2, D-1, and D-2.

Here is a peek at Class C-1 and it’s 12 sub-districts:

*Sub-District 1 @Johnson

Auburn (6-13) vs. Syracuse (4-16) winner plays Falls City (15-7) – Lincoln Lutheran (12-9) vs. Lincoln Christian (12-10)…Falls City is the mystery team here.  The Tigers have played 11 out-state foes.  Christian has beaten Lutheran 57-47 earlier in the season.  Lincoln Christian may be the team to beat here.

*Sub-District 2 @ Seward HS:

Fairbury (8-13) vs. Fillmore Central (3-17)  winner plays Milford (17-2 – Sandy Creek (13-9) vs. Wilber/Clatonia (14-5)……..Check this out: Sandy Creek has beaten Wilber-Clatonia 45-41 and Wilber-Clatonia has beaten Milford 51-47.  Milford beat Sandy Creek two weeks ago 78-26…..confused?  I am.

*Sub-District 3 @ Waverly:

Louisville (9-12) vs. Conestoga (6-14) winner plays Wahoo (19-2) – Wahoo Neumann (15-5) vs. Ashland-Greenwood (9-10)……Believe it or not, Wahoo & Bishop Neumann have not played.  They usually meet in the finals of the Neumann Holiday tournament, but the Cavaliers were edged by class B Elkhorn South 47-46 in that 1st round.  Wahoo has blasted A-G 62-38 earlier.  Wahoo has won 9 straight while Neumann dropped a 72-59 decision to surging Raymond Central last Friday.

*Sub-District 4 @ CCC/Columbus

David City (10-11) vs. Col. Scotus (8-13) winner plays Columbus Lakeview (13-6) – Raymond Central (12-9) vs. Centennial (12-9)…..OK, how dangerous is Raymond Central?  Coupled with the win over Neumann, they took Class B powerhouse Beatrice to the wire a week before that before losing 58-56.  But, earlier they lost to Centennial 36-27 and Wahoo 71-49.  We’ll let you figure this one out.

*Sub-District 5 @ Platteview:

Concordia (4-14) vs. DC West (6-13) winner plays Boys Twon (19-1) – Ft. Calhoun (11-9) vs. Omaha Roncalli (11-7)…….All you need to know is this: If all hands are on deck for Boys Town, they will probably win this going away.  They have beaten Roncalli 75-58 in December.

*Sub-District 6 @ Oakland-Craig:

Tekamah-Herman (8-14) vs. West Point-Beemer (5-17) winner plays Wisner-Pilger (14-9) – Arlington (11-7) vs. Logan View (13-8)…..Logan View has beaten Arlington twice, by 11 and 12 points respectively.  They have also bested Wisner-Pilger 58-55 a month ago.  W-P has only beaten 3 teams with winning records.

*Sub-District 7 @ Norfolk High:

Battle Creek (6-13) vs Madison(0-20) winner plays Norfolk Catholic (15-6) – Pierce (12-7) vs. Wayne (15-5)……

Wayne is slumping right now, losing 4 of their last 5.  Their only win during that stand was over winless Madison.  The Blue Devils just played Pierce last Friday, losing 43-42 in OT.  Catholic has beaten Wayne twice and edged Pierce 5 weeks ago 33-30.  Another though pick.

*Sub-District 8 @ GI Northwest:

St. Paul (11-7) vs. Central City (7-12) – GICC (8-12) vs. Boone Central (10-10)……GICC beat St. Paul in a bloody (literally) battle last Friday 61-59 in OT.  Boone beat St. Paul 54-37 in the finals of the Ord Holiday tourmanent Dec. 30th.  The Cardinals also have beaten Norfolk Catholic.  St. Paul’s losses have all come at the hands of very good basketball teams.

*Sub-District 9 @ Hastings College:

Hastings St. Cecilia (13-8) vs. Gibbon (12-10) winner plays Minden (17-1) – Adams Central (14-6) vs. Kearney Catholic (17-4)…….Ridiculously stacked sub.  Are you kidding me, St. Cecilia in a play-in game?  Adams Central had lost 4 of 5 before closing the season with huge wins over Pierce (40-27) and Kearney Catholic last Thursday (58-51).  St. C’s beat ‘em by 19 two weeks before.  Minden’s only loss is to Ravenna and looks good for a wild card even if they stumble here.  The Whippets have beaten Adams Central 51-36 on Dec. 29th.

*Sub-District 10 @ Bassett:

Valentine (17-4) vs. Broken Bow (5-13) – Ainsworth (3-17) vs. O’Neill (12-8)………Valentine opened the season with a 50-49 win over O’Neill.  In O’Neill’s defense, the Eagles losses are to tough teams with a combined record of 127-41.  Can they get Valentine?

*Sub-District 11 @ Lexington:

Hershey (13-5) vs. Ogallala (4-15) – Chase Co. (13-9) vs. Gothenburg (14-6)…….Swedes have a win over Chase 56-41 and Hershey has beaten Ogallala 48-32.  Gothenburg opened this season with a win over Hershey 42-36.  If Chase would Gothenburg, consider the fact they also just beat Hershey 74-60 two weeks back.  Another cloudy choice here.  Hershey has a better than average wild card chance should they lose.

*Sub-District 12 @Alliance:

Chadron (6-13) vs. Mitchell (8-11) winner plays Kimball (17-4) – Gordon-Rushville (12-7) vs. Bridgeport (13-7).

Chadron has dropped Mitchell twice and has a heavy Class B schedule.  Kimball has beaten Gordon-Rushville twice, and has split with Bridgeport, winning the most recent match-up, 72-32.  Gordon-Rushville has a victory over Bridgeport 10 days ago 48-42.  Kimball also has a good chance at a wild card should they stumble here.

Class B

1.  Beatrice …………..17-1

2.  South Sioux City…13-5

3.  Omaha Gross…….14-4

4.  Scottsbluff ……….18-3

5.  Elkhorn…………….18-2

6.  Gering………………17-4

7.  Omaha Skutt……..12-7

8.  Sidney………………14-6

9.  McCook…………….14-8

10. Lincoln Pius X……….11-7

*Considered:  Aurora 11-6, Elkhorn South 11-8

Omaha Gross and Scottsbluff trade places.  Scottsbluff’s demotion is caused by a 57-46 loss to 9^th rated McCook.  Gross beat South Sioux City Friday on the Cardinals home court but their 2 losses to Omaha Skutt prevent them from overtaking
South Sioux City who beat Skutt 69-64.  Gering and Skutt trade places after Skutt drops a 68-55 decision to Lincoln Pius.  Gering won FOUR games last week to gain the 6^th spot.  Gretna drops out after a blowout loss to C-1 Minden in the Heartland Hoops Classic.  McCook moves up one after beating Scottsbluff and Lincoln Pius enters at #10 after wins over a Class A rated Lincoln SE and the win over Omaha Skutt.   

Class C-1

1.   Boys Town……………19-1

2.   Minden………………..17-1

3.   Wahoo………………..19-2

4.   Wahoo Neumann….15-5

5.   Norfolk Catholic…….15-6

6.   Kearney Catholic …..17-4

7.   Milford…………………17-2

8.   Wayne…………………15-5

9.   Kimball…………………17-4

10.  Hershey………………….13-4

*Considered:  Columbus Lakeview 13-6, Valentine 17-4, and Adams Central 14-6.

First 3 teams hold their spots.  Wahoo Neumann makes a big jump from 7^th to 4^th.  The Cav’s only blemishes are to Boys Town (twice), Norfolk Catholic, and Class B’s 3^rd rated Omaha Gross.  Norfolk Catholic slips to 5^th after a Heartland Hoops Classic loss to C-2 Sutton.  Wayne is accessed a 3 rung demotion after losing to D-1 Guardian Angels CC for a 2^nd time in 2 weeks.  Hershey moves in at #10 after St. Cecilia’s weekend trip to Grand Island resulted in losses to Northwest and GICC.    

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna………………21-0

2.   Sutton ………………..20-2

3.   Stanton………………..20-1

4.   Hartington C.C………15-3

5.   Lutheran High NE ….20-1

6.   Ponca ………………….18-3

7.   North Platte St. Pats.16-5

8.   Burwell…………………19-1

9.   Johnson Co. Central..19-2

10.  Twin River………………16-4

10.  Elmwood-Murdock…15-6

*Considered:
Creighton 16-4, Shelton 16-4, Southern Valley 17-5, Freeman 17-6, Doniphan-Trumbull 13-7, Fremont Bergan 15-7

Crazy week in C-2.  Sutton bests C-1 Norfolk Catholic but can’t move ahead of Ravenna because of an earlier one point loss
to the Bluejays.  Ponca’s loss to 10-9 Homer drops the Indians from 3^rd to 6^th.  Stanton moves into 3^rd, Hartington CC jumps from 6^th to 4^th with a win over then #4 Lutheran High NE.  Burwell leap frogs Johnson Co. Central for 8^th and Twin River moves into a tie for the final spot.  Archbishop Bergan drops out for a loss to Wahoo Neumann but can get back in with a regular season finale win over Oakland-Craig.

Class D-1

1.   O’Neill St. Marys ……..21-0

2.   Humphrey St. Francis.17-3

3.   Pawnee City……………19-3

4.   Paxton …………….. …..18-1

5.   Overton…………………16-4

6.   BDS ………………………17-4

7.   High Plains …………….14-6

8.   Randolph ………………14-5

9.   West Boyd……………..16-4

10.  Bancroft-Rosalie……..15-6

10 .  Sandhills-Thedford…..15-5

*Considered:  Chambers/Wheeler Central 14-6, Arapahoe 16-7.

Paxton switches places with Pawnee City because they seem to be getting stronger with an only blemish to C-1 rated Hershey.  West Boyd jumps from 9th to 7^th for taking #1 St. Marys to overtime before falling by a point. High Plains drops to 9^th for a loss to BDS, although not that damaging.  Sandhills-Thedford moves into a 10^th place tie with Bancroft-Rosalie after previous #10 Arapahoe suffers a loss to a then 9-8 Cambridge squad.

Class D-2

1.   Giltner ……………………22-0

2.   Howells ………………….20-1

3.   Dodge…………………….18-3

4.   Wynot…………………….18-2

5.   Sterling……………………16-6

6.   Brady …………………….17-2

7.   GI Heartland Lutheran…..16-6

8.   Wausa…………………….17-5

9.   Loomis…………………….14-5

10.  Falls City Sacred Heart.13-7

*Considered: Hayes Center 13-6 , Clarkson 12-8, Pleasanton 12-6, and Leyton 13-6.

All teams held their positions except Hayes Center who drops out after a loss to Paxton.  Falls City SH re-enters at that #10 slot despite their 7 losses.  The Irishschedule is a much more demanding slate than Hayes Center in my opinion. Are Giltner and Howells on a collision course to meet for the D-2 crown? 

South Sioux City's Mike Gesell

(photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

Just in case you missed it……there was a big show in town last night.  Sports promoter Tino Martinez brought the South Sioux City basketball team to the Events Center Saturday night.  And for those of you that missed the performance of their Division 1 hoops recruit Mike Gesell…..you may just have passed up a rare opportunity to see an absolute pure basketball artist in action.

A one man show?  Far from it and that’s what makes this young man so special.  A complete, unselfish basketball performer that has worked so many hours to perfect his game, not even a court reporter could have logged them all.  And the product of those endless hours in the gym was on full display last night during the showcase game at the Heartland Hoops Classic.
I saw Mike Gesell 2 years ago at the State Basketball tournament as a sophomore and thought he was D-1 material.  Not a Rhodes scholar-type comment since more top universities than I have fingers thought the same thing.  Gesell eventually signed with Iowa University and has improved each time I’ve seen him play.  Last night was special though.  It was a true test of how much a player and a team wanted something.  The Cardinals played Friday night at home and suffered a heartbreaking 70-68 loss to Omaha Gross.  Gesell was outscored 25-24 by Gross star, Dylan Travis.  In fact, Travis dribbled around a double team and nailed a 3 pointer with 6.8 seconds left to win the game.  Not only that, but Gesell took the ball down court and missed a 12 foot jumper that would have won the game.
Here’s the deal, friends.  You now have a group of South Sioux City kids who just suffered a gut-wrenching loss to a rival and are suddenly faced with a 150 mile trip to Grand Island in less than 12 hours.  How would this group respond?  Try an 81-54 win over a Grand Island team that has 3 division athletes of their own.  These kids from South Sioux know when the lights come on in a big venue, its show time.  No matter how fatigued
they are when those lights come on and the curtain is raised, real performers know what to do.  Mike Gesell and that group of high school players from South Sioux City were ready to roll from the opening jump.

Mike Gesell is poetry in motion on the hardwood.  After my stint on the P.A. at the Hoops Classic, I gazed into the stands and saw the masses that had come to see this kid and his Cardinal buddies perform.  Twice in the opening moments, Gesell received a pass after a steal and glided down the court, shadowed by a D-1  athlete on both trips.  The 6-2 smoothie used his unbelievable body control to seal out his defender, set sail to the hoop, and let the ball roll effortlessly off his fingertips into the cylinder.  On two other occasions he walked the ball up
court surveying the situation.  Both times he pivoted, faked one way took two steps toward the basket and stopped-popped-and dropped, hitting nothing but cords.  Before the first half had ended, Magic Mike had 21 points, a handful of assists, and a couple of steals.  The Cardinals were comfortably in front at the break, 51-28.  The blond locked phenom ended the night with 23 points, 10 assists and 6 steals and in the process put
on a basketball clinic these parts haven’t witnessed for some time.
His court vision, dribbling skills, body control, and maneuverability were mind boggling. Even more impressive are the athletes he was playing against, the long trip figured in and the fatigue that could have been used as an excuse.  Real artists never flop when its showtime and Mike Gesell and his teammates gave basketball fans around these parts a real treat Saturday night.  The venue had something to do with it.  One of the South Sioux players told me the place fired them up the minute they walked into the confines.  The adrenalin started flowing and those of us that were there were the beneficiaries.
It’s not often that we get to see an artist perform, but last night all of us saw a D-1 hoops player at his best and I don’t know about the rest of you
but this old guy had a hard time sleeping afterward…………it  was simply that good.

Class B

1.  Beatrice …………..15-1

2   South Sioux City…12-5

3.  Scottsbluff ……….16-2

4.  Omaha Gross…….13-4

5.  Elkhorn…………….16-2

6.  Omaha Skutt……..11-6

7.  Gering………………13-4

8.  Sidney………………12-5

9.  Gretna……………….9-7

10 McCook…………….12-7

*Considered:  Aurora 9-5, Lincoln Pius X 8-6

Omaha Skutt drops down 2 spots after losses to Beatrice and South Sioux City….hardly seems fair.  Gross and Elkhorn each gain a position.  Gering, Sidney, and Gretna all hold on to their positions despite losses.  McCook enters the rating for the first time and GI Northwest drops out after an overtime loss to unranked Crete.  The B-6 district is a brutal one that includes rated teams Scottsbluff, Gering, Sidney, Gering, McCook and unranked Alliance.  There will be no chance for a willd card for anyone who loses in that district tournament except Scottsbluff.

Class C-1

1.    Boys Town……………16-1

2.    Minden………………..15-1

3.    Wahoo………………..16-2

4.    Norfolk Catholic…….14-5

5.    Wayne…………………14-4

6.    Kearney Catholic …..16-3

7.    Wahoo Neumann…..13-5

8.    Milford…………………14-2

9.    Kimball…………………14-4

10   Hastings St. Cecilia….11-6

*Considered: Adams Central 13-4, Columbus Lakeview 12-5,  Hershey 11-4, Valentine 15-3, and Wilber-Clatonia 13-3.

Milford is penelized 2 slots for a 53-47 loss to Centennial, and a 37-33 struggle win against a 10-10 David City squad.  Kearney Catholic and Wahoo Neumann slide up one spot each.  Norfolk Catholic and Wayne hold on to their positions despite upset losses in the rugged Mid-States Tournament. 

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna……………..18-0

2.   Sutton ……………….17-2

3.   Ponca ………………..16-2

4.   Lutheran High NE …20-1

5.   Stanton……………….18-1

6.   Hartington C.C………12-3

7.   North Platte St. Pats.15-4

8.   Johnson Co. Central..17-1

9.   Burwell…………………17-1

10. Fremont Bergan…….15-6

10. Elmwood-Murdock..14-5

*Considered: Creighton 15-4,  Shelton 14-3, Twin River 15-4, Southern Valley 15-5.

Stanton and Hartington Cedar Catholic switch spots in light of HCC’s loss to 41-39 loss to 10-6 Pierce in the Mid-States tournament.  Stanton’s only blemish this season is a Dec. 8th hiccup to Wisner-Pilger, who is now 12-7.  Johnson County Central gains a slot to 8th, Burwell to 9th, and Archbishop Bergan drops 2 slots for 2 losses last week.  The Boys Town loss if forgivable, but the 67-61 clunker to a 6-10 Omaha Concordia is a head scratcher.  Elmwood-Murdock enters the ratings for the first time in a 10th place tie with the Knights.  Elmwood-Murdock will play Johnson Co. Central Monday night in the East Central Nebraska Conference tournament final at SE Community College in Lincoln (7:30)

Class D-1

1.   O’Neill St. Marys ……..17-0

2.   Humphrey St. Francis.16-2

3.   Pawnee City……………17-3

4.   Paxton …………….. …..16-1

5.   Overton…………………14-2

6.   BDS ………………………15-4

7.   High Plains …………….14-5

8.   Randolph ………………13-4

9.   West Boyd……………..14-3

10. Bancroft-Rosalie……..14-4

10 . Arapahoe……………..14-6

*Considered: Sandhills-Thedford 12-4, Humphrey 14-6, Chambers/Wheeler Central 14-6.

Paxton and Overton swap places after the Tigers punished North Platte St. Pats 58-41.  Overton has also beaten the Irish, but by a lesser margin.  All other teams hold on to their slots, but Arapahoe re-enters in a tie with Bancroft-Rosalie for the final spot.

Class D-2

1.   Giltner ……………………19-0

2.   Howells ………………….17-1

3.   Dodge…………………….16-3

4.   Wynot…………………….16-2

5.   Sterling……………………13-5

6.   Brady …………………….15-2

7.   GI Heartland Lutheran.14-5

8.   Wausa……………………15-4

9. Loomis…………………….12-4

10. Hayes Center…………..11-5

*Considered: Stuart 10-5, Clarkson 12-7,  Pleasanton 11-5, Leyton 12-4, Parkview Christian 11-5.

Dodge and Wynot swap places.  Both lost, but Wynot earns the demotion due to a loss to Winnebago in the opening round of the Lewis and Clark tournament.  Dodge’s loss was to D-1′s 2nd rated St. Francis in overtime.  Brady and Heartland Lutheran also switch positions after Heartland Lutheran struggled in 2 overtimes to beat a 6-11 Palmer team.  Falls City drops out after a 1 point loss to a tough Johnson-Brock team in the Pioneer Conference tourney.  Loomis and Hayes Center hold on to the final 2 spots.

Top Games this week:

*Many games were postponed or cancelled last weekend because of the inclement weather conditions.  Some conference tournament finals will be played Monday evening.

Class B:

Tuesday: Sidney @ Gering, Sioux City Heelen @ Omaha Skutt

Thursday: McCook @ Gering, North Platte @ Scottsbluff

Saturday: Hastings St. Cecilia/GI Northwest @ Heartland Hoops Classic in Grand Island, Lincoln Pius @ Om. Skutt,  McCook @ Scottsbluff

Class C-1:

Monday: Boone Central/Pierce (Mid-States Final @ Wayne St.)

Tuesday: Lincoln Christian @ Johnson Co. Central

Thursday: Ravenna @ Adams Central, Wahoo @ GICC, West Point GACC @ Pierce,

Friday: Wahoo Neumann @ Fremont Bergan, Lincoln Christian @ Boys Town, Hastings St. Cecilia @ GICC,

Saturday: Pierce/Adams Central @ Heartland Hoops Classic, Sutton/Norfolk Catholic @ Heartland Hoops Classic, Gretna/Minden @ Heartland HC, Ashland-Greenwood @ Wahoo, Shelton @ Gibbon, Wayne @ West Point GACC, Plattsmouth @ Milford, Norris @ Lincoln Christian

Class C-2:

Monday: North/Stanton in East Husker Final @ Pender (7:30), Kearney Catholic/Ravenna in LouPlatte Conference final @ St. Paul (8pm), Sutton/Centennial in Southern Nebr. final @ Milford (7:45), Milford/Sandy Creek in Southern Nebr. consolation (4:15).

Tuesday: Humphrey St. Francis @ DC Aquinas, Doniphan-Trumbull @ Boone Central, St. Paul @ Ravenna

Thursdsay: NP St. Pats @ Hershey

Friday: Randolph @ Crofton, Twin River @ Cross County, David City @ Wilber/Clatonia

Saturday: Hershey @ Chase County

Class D-1:

Monday: Shelton @ Kenesaw in Twin Valley final, Overton/Loomis in Ft. Kearny final @ TBA

Tuesday: Howells @ Bancroft-Rosalie, O’Neill St. Marys @ West Boyd

Thursday: Stanton @ Clarkson, Lincoln Parkview Christian @ Exeter-Milligan, Kenesaw @ Sandy Creek, St. Marys @ West Holt

Friday: Paxton @ Hayes Center, Burwell @ Heartland Lutheran, Loomis @ Pleasanton

Saturday: Overton/Giltner @ Heartland Hoops Classic

Class D-2:

Tuesday: Bayard @ Leyton

Saturday:  SEM/GI Heartland Lutheran @ Heartland Hoops Classic

South Sioux City's Mike Gesell....he will be at the Heartland Hoops Classic this Saturday.

*(photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

Circle it on your calendar, Saturday February 11^th.   Local promoter Tino Martinez has done it again, lining up an outstanding 8 game card that features some of the best basketball talent in the state, including powerful South Sioux City.  Adult tickets are $12, Student tickets $6, and Courtside tickets $25.   These tickets will be good for all day and you won’t find a better value for this kind of entertainment.  High School basketball classics of this type have come and gone in Nebraska, but the Heartland Hoops Classic is the only one left standing.

The
Schedule:                        2012 Heartland Hoops Classic Schedule

                                                                 Saturday, Feb. 11th

                                                         9:00am  Overton vs. Giltner

                                           10:45am  Hastings St. Cecilia vs. GI Northwest

                                                   12:30pm  Pierce vs. Adams Central

                                                   2:15pm  Norfolk Catholic vs. Sutton

                                    4:00pm Doniphan – Trumbull vs. GI Central Catholic

                                                           5:45pm  Gretna vs. Minden

                                        7:30pm  South Sioux City vs. Grand Island Senior High

                                      9:15pm  Sumner-Eddyville-Miller vs. Heartland Lutheran

Here is a brief look at each match-up:

Giltner (19-0) vs. Overton (14-2):  Defending D-2 state champion Giltner is currently rated #1 in their class and Overton is ranked at #7 in D-1.  This contest spotlights two of the finest players in class D in Giltner’s Drew Ott and Overton’s Jacob Olmstead.  Both were all-state players a year ago with Ott scoring over 500 points and grabbing over 300 rebounds.  Olmstead fell just short of the 500 mark in scoring,  but the inside match-up between these two all-state football and basketball stars should be a sight to behold.  Giltner’s crisp ball movement and team speed has them hitting on all cylinders and the Eagles’ physical play and staunch defense makes them tough to score on.

Hastings St. Cecilia (11-6) vs. GI Northwest (10-7):  The Bluehawks have won 3 of the last 4 class C-1 state titles.  The Vikings are surging at the right time, recently winning the Central Conference tournament.  All but one of St. Cecilia’s losses has come at the hands of rated teams.  Northwest features a deep bench that will wear you down and St. Cecilia has that always stout defense and boasts sharpshooting Phil Hamburger, who is a two-time all-state footballer and a quarterback on the hardwood.

Hastings Adams Central (13-4) vs. Pierce (10-7):  A classy regional match-up featuring the hot outside shooting Patriots of Adams Central against the staunch, disciplined defense of Pierce.  How good is Pierce?  The Bluejays are fresh off of an appearance in the championship game of one of the toughest conferences there is, the Mid-States.  It will be the run’n’gun style of A/C against the patient, football/tough athletes of Pierce.  Something has to give and this one could come down to the buzzer.  I cannot recall the last time these two teams
had losing seasons.

Norfolk Catholic (14-5) vs. Sutton (17-2):  Oh…My…Gosh!  Only Tino Martinez could line up a regional game of this magnitude.  A Classic meeting of C-1 vs. C-2 powers.  Sutton is currently rated #2 in C-2 and the Knights are #5 in C-1.  Norfolk Catholic has beaten teams like Wahoo, Wahoo Neumann and is the defending Class C-1 football and basketball champions.  How good is Sutton?  Their only 2 loses are to powerful Ravenna (49-48) and to C-1 St. Cecilia.  The Mustangs’ starting 5 has been together for seasons.  By the way, that last time (and only time?) these 2 teams met……..Sutton defeated the Knights 100-81 in the opening round of the 1990 C-1 State Tournament……how’s that grab ya?

Doniphan-Trumbull (9-7) vs. GICC (7-10):  These teams are a whole lot better than the records indicate and these two clubs feature two of the finest coaches this state has ever seen in D-T’s Dave Oman and the Crusaders’ Bill Gavers.  The Cardinals just got better in January with the return of the Slough brothers and GICC’s defense is improving with every game against a brutal schedule.  D-T loves to get the ball inside to big 6-4, 240 pound Garrett Bunde.  The Crusaders feature their usual smothering defensive pressure.  Both teams have young line-ups with very
promising futures.

Gretna (9-7) vs. Minden (15-1): Another “Tino” clash for the ages.  Battle tested Class B Gretna has lost only to top notch teams like Omaha Skutt, Boys Town, Elkhorn and Ravenna to name a few.  They have fought through the loss of all-state Jared Blum, who was expected to carry them to new heights.  But the Dragons have done very well considering and may give Minden their toughest test to date outside of Ravenna.  The Whippets are currently ranked #2 in C-1, with their only loss at Ravenna.  The current C-1 state runner-ups have outstanding shooters in Derek Kissinger and Carson Blum.  Another one that could come down to the final ticks…..a dream game.

South Sioux City (12-5) vs. Grand Island (9-7):  This is the headliner, folks!  Tino has been trying to get the high flying Cardinals here since Mike Gesell was a freshman and finally succeeded.  Gesell is a D-1 basketball recruit (Iowa) and his teammate Austin Groth is a D-1 recruit (Creighton) in baseball.  Both are scoring around 25 points a game and may be the 2 best players in the state.  Don’t let South Sioux City’s record fool you.  Two of those losses came at the hands of top notch competition during the prestigious VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge in Arizona during the holidays.  How good was Gesell there?  Nationally known sports scribe, Richard Obert of AzCentral.com said this: Gesell reminded me of Mike Bibby during his Phoenix Shadow Mountain days in the mid 1990’s….he was that
good.”  

   Grand Island has been a very good basketball team at times and has two D-1 athletes of their own in Ryker Fyfe and Sam Foltz.  Both are walking on a Nebraska in football.  Fyfe is known for his thunderous dunks and athleticism.  The Islanders will have their hands full with a South Sioux team that knocked off a then 2nd rated (Class A) Omaha Bryan team a couple of weeks back, 61-59.  If the Islanders are on their game, this game is going to be a dandy.

SEM (7-8) vs. GI Heartland Lutheran (14-5):  The nightcap features two very fine D-2 basketball teams.  You will love Coach Lloyd Wagnitz’ “Runnin’ Red Hornets”.  Heartland Lutheran has tangled with such teams as Ravenna (#1 in C-2), Norfolk Lutheran High NE (#4 in C-2), and has beaten C-1 Lincoln Lutheran, a team that beat GICC earlier.  SEM’s is far better than the 7-8 mark they sport.  The Mustangs have quality, skilled athletes who know how to play basketball.  This baby could easily end up an 84-82 game.  What a way to cap off a perfect day.
Remember, a ticket is good for all day, and you can go far and wide and not find a better day of high school basketball under one roof.  See you there!

Class D-1

#1

Pawnee City……45.0000 (15-3) ————–Pawnee City vs. Freind

Exeter-Milligan.41.73333 (10-5)————-Exeter-Milligan vs. Diller-Odell

Diller-Odell……38.4706 (6-11)

Friend……………38.3333 (4-14) ————– Finals

#2

BDS……………………43.8889 (14-4) —(play-in game) Heartland vs. Harvard

Deshler………………42.3125 (10-6)

McCool Junction…41.000 (10-6) —-B D S vs. Heartland/Harvard winner

Heartland……………40.4118 (5-12)——Deshler vs. McCool Junction

Harvard………………36.9375 (5-11) ————– Finals

#3

West Point GACC…41.5882 (7-10)—West Point Guardian Angels CC vs. Cedar Bluffs

Lyons-Decatur NE…40.1176 (8-9)———-Lyons-Decatur NE vs. East Butler

East Butler……………37.6471 (4-13)

Cedar Bluffs…………33.9412 (0-17) ————– Finals

#4

Bancroft-Rosalie……42.7047 (13-4) —(play-in game) Allen vs. Emerson-Hubbard

Omaha Nation………41.1667 (10-8)

Pender………………40.0500 (7-13) –Bancroft-Rosalie vs. Allen/Emerson-Hubbard winner

Emerson-Hubbard…38.5000 (4-14)————Omaha Nation vs. Pender

Allen…………………37.5294 (4-13) ——————— Finals

#5

Randolph………………44.4375 (13-3) —–(play-in game) Winside vs. Hartington

Osmond…………………41.0000 (9-7)

Niobrara-Verdigre…39.8333 (7-11) —–Randolph vs. Winside/Hartington winner

Hartington………….38.6000 (5-10)——-Niobrara-Verdigre vs. Osmond

Winside………………37.4118 (3-14) ———————- Finals

#6

O’Neill St. Marys……….45.5000 (16-0) –(play-in game) North Central vs. Clearwater/Orchard

West Boyd……………………43.5625 (14-2)

Chambers/Wheeler Cent…..42.8947 (13-6)—ON St. Marys vs. N. Central vs Clr./Orch. winner

Clearwater/Orchard……….40.4375 (8-8)—————C W C vs. West Boyd

North Central………………….40.3889 (8-10) ——————- Finals

#7

Humphrey St. Francis…44.7059 (15-2)——Humphrey St. Francis vs. Newman Grove

Humphrey………………42.0000 (13-6)———Osceola vs. Humphrey High

Osceola………………….39.6875 (7-9)

Newman Grove……..37.6111 (4-14) ——————- Finals

#8

High Plains………………43.4737 (14-5) —(play-in game) Elba/NLS vs. Palmer

Cedar Valley……………40.7222 (9-9)

Fullerton…………………39.6111 (7-11)— High Plains vs.  Elba/NLS vs. Palmer winner

Palmer……………………38.7333 (6-9)—————–Cedar Valley vs. Fullerton

Elba/North Loup-Scotia…34.6667 (0-15) —————- Finals

#9

Kenesaw…………42.2500 (11-5) –(play-in game) Wilcox-Hildreth vs. Franklin

Amherst……….40.5556 (9-9)

Litchfield………39.4375 (6-10)–Kenesaw vs. Wil.-Hil./Franklin winner

Wilcox-Hildreth…38.1250 (5-11)———-Amherst vs. Litchfield

Franklin………….36.1167 (1-16) ——————- Finals

#10

Overton………44.8667 (13-2) —-(play-in game) Hitchcock Co. vs. Elwood

Arapahoe……43.2000 (14-6)

Cambridge……41.9375 (8-8)—-Overton vs. Hitchcock Co./Elwood winner

Elwood………41.2667 (9-6)————–Cambridge vs. Arapahoe

Hitchcock Co..39.0000 (7-12) ——————- Finals

#11

Sandhills-Thedford……43.1875 (12-4)—–Sandhills/Thedford vs. Stapleton/MC

Twin Loup………………41.3529 (10-7)———–Twin Loup vs. Loup City

Loup City………………41.0556 (7-11)

Stapleton/McPherson Co…37.9286 (3-11) ——————- Finals

#12

Paxton……………45.4706 (16-1) —(play-in game) Crawford vs. Maxwell

Sutherland………41.7647 (8-9)

Garden County…39.5000 (7-7)—–Paxton vs.  Crawford/Maxwell winner

Maxwell…………39.1875 (5-11)——-Garden County vs. Sutherland

Crawford………37.4375 (5-11) ——————- Finals

Class D-2

#1

Sterling………………………44.8947 (14-5) —(play-in game) Lewiston vs. Mead

Falls City Sacred Heart………….44.0556 (11-7)

Lincoln Parkview Christian……42,5294 (12-5) —Sterling vs.  Lewiston/Mead winner

Lewiston………………41.3125 (6-10)——-Falls City SH vs. Lin. Parkview Christian

Mead…………………37.5294 (2-15) ——————- Finals

#2

Hampton…………39.8125 (7-9)————–Hampton vs. Dorchester

Meridian…………38.8421 (5-14)———Nebr. Lutheran vs. Meridian

Nebr. Lutheran….37.3846 (3-10)

Dorchester………36.2667 (0-15) ——————– Finals

#3

Howells…………46.9412 (16-1) —(play-in game) Walthill vs. Scribner-Snyder

Dodge………….44.7778 (16-2)

Clarkson…….42.5556 (12-6)–Howells vs. Walthill/Scr.-Snyder winner

Scribner-Snyder..39.8235 (5-12)————-Clarkson vs. Dodge

Walthill…………38.9333 (6-9) ——————— Finals

#4

Spalding/Spalding Academy…..42.3571 (8-6) -(play-in game) St. Ed vs. Lindsay HF

Elkhorn Valley……………………41.8000 (9-11)

Leigh………………………………40.1875 (6-10) —-Sp./Sp. Academy St. Ed/Lindsay HF winner

Lindsay Holy Famil………….39.6111 (7-11)———-Elkhorn Valley vs. Leigh

St. Edward…………………..35.6875 (1-15) ——————– Finals

#5

Wynot…….45.7647 (16-1) ——-(play-in game) Newcastle vs. Santee

Wausa………44.1176 (13-4)

Bloomfield…41.2941 (9-8) ——–Wynot vs.  Newcastle/Santee winner

Santee………38.4375 (5-11)———–Wausa vs. Bloomfield

Newcastle…36.8750 (1-15) ——————————— Finals

#6

Stuart……………43.6000 (10-5) ——(play-in game) Lynch vs. Cody-Kilgore

Mullen…………41.4500 (11-9)

Ewing……………40.4706 (7-10) ——Stuart vs.  Lynch/Cody-Kilgore winner

Cody-Kilgore…39.5714 (6-8)—————-Mullen vs. Ewing

Lynch……………36.6471 (0-17) ——————– Finals

#7

Giltner………………46.4118 (17-0) –(play-in game) Red Cloud vs. Lawrence-Nelson

GI Heartland Lutheran..44.1111 (13-5)

Silver Lake……………39.0667 (4-11) —-Giltner vs. Red Cloud/Law-Nelson winner

Lawrence-Nelson……37.7059 (2-15)——GI Heartland Lutheran vs. Silver Lake

Red Cloud……………37.3750 (2-14) ———————– Finals

#8

Loomis………45.6667 (11-4) ——(play-in game) Axtell vs. Arcadia

Pleasanton…43.7333 (11-4)

Bertrand…..42.1176 (9-8) ——-Loomis vs.  Axtell/ Arcadia winner

Axtell………40.4375 (7-9)————Pleasanton vs. Bertrand

Arcadia….37.4375 (4-11) ——————— Finals

#9

Brady…………45.4118 (15-2)———–Brady vs. Eustis-Farnum

SEM……………40.7333 (7-7)———–Anselmo-Merna vs. SEM

Anselmo-Merna…40.2000 (5-10)

Eustis-Farnum……37.42353 (1-16) —————– Finals

#10

Hayes Center………43.1250 (11-5) —(play-in game) Wallace vs. Maywood

Medicine Valley……42.0000 (7-8)

Wauneta-Palisade…41.9412 (9-8) ——Hayes Center vs.  Wallace/Maywood winner

Wallace………………38.6429 (4-10)—-Wauneta-Palisade vs. Medicine Valley

Maywood……………35.1765 (0-17) ———————- Finals

#11

Creek Valley……40.0000 (6-8) —(play-in game) South Platte vs. Hyannis

Arthur County…38.6667 (8-7)

Hay Springs……37.7059 (4-13) —Creek Valley vs.  South Platte/Hyannis winner

Hyannis………….36.4167 (1-11)———-Arthur Co. vs. Hay Springs

South Platte…….35.1818 (0-11) ———————- Finals

#12

Leyton……………42.7500 (12-4)———-Leyton vs. Sioux County

Banner County…41.2353 (10-7)——–Banner Co. vs. Potter-Dix

Potter-Dix………40.7333 (7-8)

Sioux County…36.5714 (3-11) ——————— Finals

Class C-2

#1

Johnson Co. Central…44.7059 (16-1) )——–(play-in game) Southern vs. HTRS

Freeman………………….43.6842 (14-5)

Tri-County……………….42.1111 (11-7)———-Johnson Co. Central vs. Southern/HTRS winner

Southern………………….39.6111 (7-11)———Freeman vs. Tri-County

Humboldt TRS…………36.4376 (1-15) )————– Finals

#2

Johnson-Brock………42.0000 (13-6)————Johnson-Brock vs. Weeping Water

Nebr. City Lourdes..41.6000 (11-9)————-Nebr. City Lourdes vs.Palmyra

Palmyra………………37.5500 (5-15)

Weeping Water……37.5263 (4-15) )————– Finals

#3

Sutton………………44.7222 (16-2)———Sutton vs. Superior

Thayer Central…40.4444 (7-10)———-Thayer Central vs. Blue Hill

Blue Hill……………40.2500 (9-7)

Superior……………36.4118 (2-15)————– Finals

#4

Ravenna……………………47.3529 (17-0) —(play-in game) Centura vs. Wood River

Doniphan-Trumbull….43.5333 (9-6)

Shelton…………………….43.0000 (13-3)——Ravenna vs. Centura/Wood River winner

Wood River……………..39.0000 (5-14)——-Shelton vs. Doniphan-Trumbull

Centura……………………37.6471 (2-15)————– Finals

#5

Elmwood-Murdock………..43.6111 (13-5) —(play-in game) Yutan vs. Omaha Christian

Malcolm………………………..41.3529 (9-8)

Omaha Brownell-Talbot…40.5000 (10-6) )–Elmwood-Murdock vs. Yutan/O. Christian winner

Yutan……………………………..40.4706 (9-7)—-Malcolm vs. Omaha Brownell-Talbot

Omaha Christian…………….37.6667 (6-9) ————– Finals

#6

Twin River……………43.6667 (14-4) —(play-in game) Shelby/RC vs. Nebr. Christian

Cross County…………41.0526 (11-8)

David City Aquinas…40.4375 (6-10)—-Twin River vs. Shelby-RC/Nebr. Christian winner

Nebraska Christian…37.3077 (4-9)—–Cross County vs. DC Aquinas

Shelby-Rising City…..37.0625 (3-12) ————– Finals

#7

Lutheran High NE…46.4500 (19-1) —(play-in game) Oakland-Craig vs. North Bend

Stanton…………………44.7222 (17-1)

Fremont Bergan….44.0520 (14-5)——Lutheran High NE vs. Oak.-Craig/N. Bend winner

Oakland-Craig…….43.3889 (12-6)———-Fremont Bergan vs. Stanton

North Bend…………39.8750 (6-10) ————– Finals

#8

Ponca…………44.4706 (15-2)————–Ponca vs. Wakefield

Winnebago…40.5294 (9-8)—————Winnebago vs. Homer

Homer……….40.0625 (8-8)

Wakefield……37.9444 (5-14) ————– Finals

#9

Hartington CC…45.7143 (12-2) –(play-in game) Laurel-Concord vs. Plainview

Creighton………..44.6667 (14-4)

Crofton……………41.1111 (8-10)—-Hartington CC vs. Laurel-Concord/Plainview winner

Plainview…………37.5556 (7-11)———Creighton vs. Crofton

Laurel-Concord…35.9375 (1-15) ————– Finals

#10

Burwell……………………………44.1667 (17-1) —(play-in game) Neligh-Oakdale vs. Ord

Elgin/Elgin Pope John………39.6667 (8-10)

Atkinson West Holt………….38.6842 (7-12)—-Burwell vs. Neligh-Oakdale/Ord winner

Ord………………………………….37.8333 (3-15)——–West Holt vs. Elgin/Pope John

Neligh-Oakdale……………….35.7647 (1-16) ————– Finals

#11

North Platte St. Pats…45.0000 (14-4) —-(play-in game) Southwest vs. Alma

Southern Valley……….44.4737 (15-4)

Elm Creek…………………41.67500 (9-7)—-North Platte St. Pats vs. Southwest/Alma winner

Alma…………………………40.9375 (11-5)———-Southern Valley vs. Elm Creek

Southwest…………………36.4667 (2-13) ————– Finals

#12

Hemingford…………………43.0000 (12-2) —-(play-in game) Perkins Co. vs. Morrill

Dundy County-Stratton…41.5294) (10-7)

Bayard…………………………39.2500 (5-11)—-Hemingford vs. Perkins Co./Morrill winner

Perkins County……………38.9375 (4-12)———Dundy Co./Stratton vs. Bayard

Morrill………………………38.0000 (4-10) ————– Finals

Classes D-1 and D-2 will follow…………

Listed to the left are the current district standings with NSAA power point totals and team records.

To the right are what the match-ups would be if the Districts or Sub-Districts started today.

In Class B, the 6 district winner plus 2 wild card team qualify for the State Tournament.

In all other classes, the winner of each sub-district will meet the winner of the of the

sub-district below (1 vs. 2, 3 vs.4, 5 vs. 6, 7 vs.8, 9 vs. 10, and 11 vs. 12).  The winners

of those 6 games will advance to State plus 2 wild card entries.   Here’s how it looks:

Class B Districts

#1

Lincoln Pius X….40.8000 (9-6)——–(play-in game) Norris vs. Nebraska City

Plattsmouth…….40.5000 (9-7)

Waverly…………..40.1538 (6-7)——– Plattsmouth vs. Waverly

Norris………………40.0714 (6-8)——–Lincoln Pius X vs. Norris/Nebraska City winner

Nebraska City….40.0000 (7-7)——–Finals

#2

Omaha Skutt…44.0625 (11-5)——–(play-in game) Ralston vs.Platteview

Omaha Gross..42.9375 (12-5)

Gretna………….41.6000 (9-6)———-Gretna vs. Omaha Gross

Platteview……39.4500 (9-11)———Omaha Skutt vs. Ralston/Platteview winner

Ralston………..39.4444 (6-12)———Finals

#3

South Sioux City..45.5385 (12-5)—–Elkhorn MM vs. Bennington and Elkhorn South vs. Blair

Elkhorn……………..44.1765 (15-2)

Bennington……….41.0556 (8-10)—–South Sioux City vs. Bennington/Elkhorn MM winner

Elkhorn South……40.6250 (8-8)——-Elkhorn vs. Elkhorn South vs. Blair winner

Blair………………….36.6875 (3-13)

Elkhorn MM………36.4667 (1-14)———–Finals

#4

Beatrice……………..45.6667 (14-1)—–(play-in game) York vs. Schuyler

Crete………………….41.1250 (8-8)

Seward………………40.0556 (8-10)——Beatrice vs. York/Schuyler winner

York……………………39.2500 (8-8)——-Crete vs. Seward

Schuyler…………….36.1250 (1-15)——Finals

#5

Aurora……42.0000 (9-5)—————–(play-in game) Holdrege vs. Cozad

GINW…….40.7647 (10-7)

Hastings…40.6875 (7-9)—————–Aurora vs. Holdrege/Cozad winner

Cozad…….40.1429 (8-6)—————–Grand Island Northwest vs. Hastings

Holdrege..38.9286 (4-10)—————Finals

#6

Scottsbluff…45.9375 (14-2)————-(play-in game) Alliance vs. McCook

Gering………44.3125 (13-3)

Sidney………43.6875 (12-4)————–Scottsbluff vs. Alliance/McCook winner

McCook…….41.500 (11-7))—————-Gering vs. Sidney

Alliance……40.6250 (7-9)—————-Finals

Class C-1 Sub-Districts

#1

Falls City………………42.2632 (13-6)——–(play-in game) Syracuse vs. Auburn

Lincoln Lutheran…41.3529 (10-7)

Lincoln Christian….41.0588 (9-8)———-Falls City vs. Syracuse/Auburn winner

Auburn……………….38.8125 (5-11)———Lincoln Lutheran vs. Lincoln Christian

Syracuse…………….37.9412 (3-14)———Finals

#2

Milford………………45.3571 (13-1)———–(play-In game) Fairbury vs. Fillmore Central

Wilber-Clatonia…43.0625 (13-3)

Sandy Creek………41.2000 (9-6)————-Milford vs. Fairbury/Fillmore Central winner

Fairbury…………….39.6842 (8-11)————Wilber-Clatonia vs. Sandy Creek

Fillmore Central…36.6250 (3-13)————Finals

#3

Wahoo………………………44.5294 (15-2)——-(play-in game) Louisville vs.Conestoga

Wahoo Neumann……..43.0625 (11-5)

Ashland-Greenwood…40.2000 (8-7)———Wahoo vs. Louisville/Conestoga winner

Louisville…………………..38.6875 (7-9)———Wahoo Neumann vs. Ashland-Greenwood

Conestoga…………………37.5294 (5-12)——– Finals

#4

Columbus Lakeview…43.8000 (11-4) )——–(play-in game) David City vs.Columbus Scotus

Centennial………………41.8750 (9-7)

Raymond Central……41.7059 (10-7)———–Columbus Lakeview vs. David City/Columbus Scotus winner

Columbus Scotus……40.8125 (8-8)————-Centennial vs. Raymond Central

David City………………40.3333 (9-9)————– Finals

#5

Boys Town………..46.4667 (14-1) )————–(play-in game) Om. Concordia vs. Douglas County West

Omaha Roncalli…42.7143 (8-6)

Ft. Calhoun…………40.3333 (8-7)—————-Boys Town vs. Om. Concordia/Douglas County West winner

D.C. West…………….38.7500 (5-11)————-Omaha Roncalli vs. Ft. Calhoun

Omaha Concordia…38.7143 (4-10) )———- Finals

#6

Wisner-Pilger…….42.7647 (11-6) )————–(play-in game) Tekamah-Herman vs. West Point/Beemer

Arlington………………41.7143 (9-5)

Logan View……………41.2353 (10-7)—–Wisner-Pilger vs. Tekamah-Herman/West Point/Beemer winner

Tekamah-Herman….39.3529 (7-10)————-Arlington vs. Logan View

West Point/Beemer..37.8421 (4-15) ——— Finals

#7

Wayne………………44.5000 (14-2) )————–(play-in game) Madison vs. Battle Creek

Norfolk Catholic…44.1176 (13-4)

Pierce…………………42.2143 (8-6)—————-Wayne vs. Madison/Battle Creek winner

Battle Creek………38.2500 (6-10)—————-Norfolk Catholic vs. Pierce

Madison……………35.5000 (0-18) )————– Finals

#8

St. Paul……………41.8667 (10-5)———–St. Paul vs. Central City

Boone Central…40.9375 (8-8)—-Grand Island Central Catholic vs. Boone Central

GICC……………….39.9412 (7-10)

Central City……38.5294 (6-11) ———Finals

#9

Minden………………………..45.7333 (14-1) )—-(play-in game) Hastings St. Cecilia vs. Gibbon

Kearney Catholic………….44.2778 (15-3)

Hastings Adams Central.43.3529 (13-4)——–Minden vs. Hastings St. Cecilia/Gibbon winner

Hastings St. Cecilia……….43.0588 (11-6)——–Kearney Catholic vs. Adams Central

Gibbon………………………….40.7778 (9-8) )————– Finals

#10

Valentine…….43.0588 (13-4)——–Valentine vs. Broken Bow

O’Neill…………41.4375 (9-6)———-O’Neill vs. Ainsworth

Ainsworth…….37.7778 (3-15)

Broken Bow….37.1250 (3-13) )————– Finals

#11

Hershey…………44.0000 (11-4)————-Hershey vs. Ogallala

Gothenburg……42.4444 (13-5)————-Chase County vs. Gothenburg

Chase County…41.9444 (10-8)

Ogallala………..39.2353 (4-13)————– Finals

#12

Kimball………………43.6875 (12-4) )——–(play-in game) Chadron vs. Gordon-Rushville

Bridgeport………….43.6875 (11-5)

Mitchell……………..41.3529 (8-9)———–Kimball vs. Chadron/Gordon-Rushville winner

Chadron………………41.0625 (5-10)———Bridgeport vs. Mitchell

Gordon-Rushville…40.4286 (8-6) )————– Finals

   Tomorrow we take a glance at Class C-2, D-1 and D-2 Districts

Wahoo's Max Cook (#42)-One of the best in C-1 this season.

(Photo courtesy of Journal Star)

Class B

1.  Beatrice …………..13-1

2   South Sioux City…11-5

3. Scottsbluff ……….14-2

4.  Omaha Skutt …….11-4

5.  Omaha Gross…….11-4

6.  Elkhorn ……………15-2

7.  Gering………………12-3

8.  Sidney………………12-4

9.  Gretna……………….9-6

10 G.I. Northwest…..10-6

*Considered:  Aurora 9-5, Lincoln Pius X 8-6

Scottsbluff drops to 3rd following a 56-54 loss to 8th rated Sidney.  Sidney remains 8th because there is no place to go.  South Sioux City trades spots with Scottsbluff and assumes the #2 rung.  GI Northwest slides into the ratings for the 1st time with a Central Conference crown under their belt.

Class C-1

1.    Boys Town……………14-1

2.    Minden………………..14-1

3.    Wahoo………………..15-2

4.    Norfolk Catholic…….13-4

5.    Wayne…………………14-2

6.    Milford………………..13-1

7.    Kearney Catholic …..14-3

8.    Wahoo Neumann…..11-5

9.    Omaha Roncalli……….8-6

10   Kimball………………..12-3

10   Hastings St. Cecilia…11-6

*Considered: Adams Central 13-3, Columbus Lakeview,  Hershey 11-4, Valentine 13-3, and Wilber-Clatonia 13-3.

This class is just so tough to rate with all the quality teams around.  22 teams have double digit wins already.  Wahoo jumps Norfolk Catholic despite losing to the Knights earlier, but the Knights dropped a 53-52 decision at home to D-1 power Humphrey St. Francis.  Wayne cannot hurdle Catholic because of an earlier 53-37 season loss to the Knights.    Neumann jumps 2 spots despite a loss to Boys Town in the semis of the rugged Centennial conference tournament last week.

Adams Central drops out with a 20 point loss to 7-8 Hastings.  St. Cecilia holds on to a tie for 10th despite a loss to C-2 Fremont Bergan, and Kimball moves into that tie with the Bluehawks as the Longhorns break the C-1 top 10 for the 1st time this season.  Hershey was next in line but cannot be rated ahead of Kimball because of a Dec. 15th loss to the ‘Horns (40-35).

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna………………16-0

2.   Sutton ………………..15-2

3.   Ponca …………………13-2

4.   Lutheran High NE ….18-1

5.   Hartington C.C. …….11-2

6.   Stanton……………….16-1

7.   North Platte St. Pats14-3

8.   Fremont Bergan …..14-4

9.   Johnson Co. Central.15-1

10. Creighton……………..14-3

10. Burwell………………..17-1

*Considered: Elmwood-Murdock 12-5,  Shelton 12-3, Twin River 14-4, Southern Valley 14-4.

All teams hold their spots.  Only change is that Burwell jumps into a 10th place tie with Creighton.  The Longhorns only loss this season is to unbeaten Ravenna.  A steady diet of class D Goldenrod conference teams prevent Burwell from rising any higher in the tough C-2 ratings.  It has been quite some time since I recall C-2 being loaded with as many quality teams as there are in 2011/2012. 

Class D-1

1.   O’Neill St. Marys ……..15-0

2.   Humphrey St. Francis.14-2

3.   Pawnee City……………14-3

4.   Overton ………………..12-2

5.   Paxton …………….. …..15-1

6.   BDS ………………………13-4

7.   High Plains …………….13-5

8.   Randolph ……………….12-3

9.   West Boyd………………13-2

10. Bancroft-Rosalie………12-4

*Considered: Arapahoe 14-6, Sandhills-Thedford 12-4, Humphrey 13-5, Chambers/Wheeler Central 12-6.

Pawnee City’s 49-46 overtime loss to C-2 Johnson-Brock is enough to allow O’Neill St. Marys and Humphrey St. Francis to jump ahead.  St. Marys has a spotless slate and St. Frans gained a huge road win over C-1 power Norfolk Catholic on Friday.  Yes, the Flyers lost to Lutheran High

NE on Saturday, but the Eagles are 18-1 and rated 4th in C-2…..yes they are excused.  Arapahoe is awful close to regaining entry into these ratings.  The Warriors have played more games (20) than any team in Nebraska to this point and have won 14 of those.

Class D-2

1.   Giltner ……………………17-0

2.   Howells ………………….15-1

3.   Wynot ……………………16-1

4.   Dodge…………………….15-2

5.   Sterling……………………13-5

6.   GI Heartland Lutheran.13-5

7.   Brady …………………….14-2

8.   Wausa……………………13-4

9.   Falls City Sacred Heart.11-6

10. Loomis……………………10-4

10. Hayes Center…………..11-5

*Considered: Stuart 9-5, Clarkson 11-6 Pleasanton 10-4, Hayes Center 11-5, Stuart 9-5, Leyton 12-4, Parkview Christian 11-4.

All hold on th their slots until #9, where Falls City SH moves back in.  The Irish have lost only to quality teams in Sterling 13-5 (twice), 13-5 Class C-2 Freeman, 15-2 Class B Elkhorn, 15-1, Class C-2 Johnson Co. Central, and 14-3 Pawnee City.  To be truthful, the Irish probably belong closer to #6, but we’ll see what transpires down the home stretch of the regular season.  Stuart drops out after losing to D-1 St. Marys, 59-41.

Top Games this week:

Class B:

Tuesday: Omaha Skutt @ South Sioux City

Friday: Gretna @ Elkhorn, Sidney @ Gering, Lincoln Pius X @ Omaha Gross

Saturday: Gering @ Casper (Wyo.) Kelly Walsh, Omaha Skutt @ Beatrice, Scottsbluff @ Sidney

Class C-1:

Thursday: Boys Town @ Fremont Bergan.

Friday: Valentine @ Gothenburg, Omaha Roncalli @ Ralston

Saturday: Ralston @ Boys Town, Minden @ Gothenburg, South Sioux City @ Omaha Roncalli

Class C-2:

Friday: Columbus Lakeview @ Twin River

Class D-1:

Thursday: Exeter-Milligan @ Giltner

Tournaments this week:  Mid-States (Norfolk Cath., Wayne, Hartington CC, Pierce) Lou Platte (Ravenna, Adams Central, Kear. Cath., Doniphan-Trumbull), NENAC (Randolph, Creighton), Niobrara Valley (O’Neill St. Marys, Stuart, CWC, West Boyd), Lewis and Clark (Ponca, Wynot, Bancroft-Rosalie, Wausa, Homer, Osmond), Pioneer (Sterling, Falls City SH, Freeman, Pawnee City, Johnson-Brock, Nebr. City Lourdes).

Giltner's Ethan Kreutz launches the winning trey in the finals of last year's D-1 Title game.

Thursday will be a homecoming of sorts for this guy.  It’s been 44 years since I’ve set foot in the York City Auditorium.  It will be a great day to see the old girl again, having had a facelift since those ancient times.  The semi finals of the Crossroads basketball tournament will be on tap and it will be a full day of basketball that features some hot teams and a hand full of very fine individuals.

The Crossroads Tourmanent, which incidentally is in it’s 70th season, has been contested at the York City Auditorium since 1951.  There aren’t many off campus places like that beautiful old place that still host high school varsity basketball these days.  The Beatrice City Auditorium is the only other venue I can think of outside of Omaha or Lincoln that is active.  I used to play many of these majestic old buildings with my father’s Big Band years back, but most are gone with the wind.  Not so for the York facility.

On the girls’ side, top seeded Exeter-Milligan (14-1) will take on BDS (9-7) in the 1st semi final game at 3:00.  In the other girls’ semi, 12-5 Cross County meets 15-1 Shelby-Rising City at 6:00.  Shelby/RC features Chatrice White, a tall sophomore whiz who already has had scholarship offers from Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State and Drake.

The boys semi final action will get underway when defending Class D-1 state champion, and  unbeaten Giltner meets defending Crossroads Tourney champion BDs at 4:30.  Giltner features D-1 football (Iowa) recruit Drew Ott.  Ott also just happens to be an all-state basketball player who has proven to be nearly unstoppable inside with his 240 pound frame.  Bruning-Davenport-Shickley counters with one of the most well-rounded basketball players in the state in Ryan Tegtmeier.  Tegtmeier took this tournament by storm a year ago when he led his team to a tournament title with monumental upsets of highly ranked Hampton and Giltner along the way.  Both were ranked number one in their class prior to that.  In the nightcap, Cross County (11-6) plays a young but talented High Plains team that has run and gunned their way to a 13-4 record thus far.

If this year’s semi finals are anything close to a year ago, it should be a day to remember for any high school basketball fan.  I hope to see many of you there tomorrow………….I’ll save you a seat in the front row.