The 1000 Yard Guy

Class B……………………………Last Week

1.  Beatrice …………..12-1—-(2)

2   Scottsbluff ……….14-1—-(3)

3.  South Sioux City… .9-5—-(1)

4.  Omaha Skutt …….11-3—-(4)

5.  Omaha Gross…….10-4—-(5)

6.  Elkhorn …………….12-2—-(6)

7.  Gering………………11-3—-(7)

8.  Sidney………………10-4—-(9)

9.  Gretna……………….8-5—-(8)

10 Lincoln Pius X………8-5—-(10)

*Considered:  Aurora 9-4

Beatrice moves into the number one spot after defeating South Sioux City 66-63 in the finals of the River Cities Tournament last Saturday.  Scottsbluff makes a very strong statement for that #1 rung and can challange the Orangeman with a dominating showing against number 8 Sidney Saturday.  The rest of the Class B field remains the same. 

 

Class C-1………………………………Last Week

1.    Boys Town……………11-1—-(2)

2.    Minden………………..12-1—-(3)

3.    Norfolk Catholic…….11-3—-(4)

4.    Wahoo…………………12-1—-(1)

5.    Wayne………………….13-2—-(5)

6.    Milford…………………13-0—-(6)

7.    Kearney Catholic ……12-2—-(9)

8.    Omaha Roncalli……….8-5—-(7)

9.    Adams Central ………12-2—-(10)

10T Wahoo Neumann…..10-4—-(NR)

10T  Hastings St. Cecilia…10-5—-(NR)

*Considered: Valentine 11-3,  Hershey 10-4, Kimball 10-3, and Wilber-Clatonia 11-3.

Wahoo tumbles from the top spot to #4 with losses to Norfolk Catholic and a shocking 65-60 set back to a then 8-5 Raymond Central.  The Warriors may have a chance to avenge that loss in the semi finals of the Capital Conference Tournament on Friday should both teams advance.

Boys Town assumes the number 1 position after a one week absence.  Minden and Norfolk Catholic slide up one spot.  Kearney Catholic jumps from 9th to 7th after Omaha Roncalli suffers 2 losses in the tough River Cities Tournament.  Adams Central moves up one notch.  Cross town rival St. Cecilia and Wahoo Neumann re-enter the ratings in a deadlock at #10.  Both of those teams will be involved in the powerful Centennial Conference Tournament this week.

Class C-2……………………………..Last Week

1.   Ravenna………………14-0—-(1)

2.   Sutton ………………..13-2—-(2)

3.   Ponca …………………12-2—-(3)

4.   Lutheran High NE ….16-1—-(4)

5.   Hartington C.C. …….10-1—-(5)

6.   Stanton……………….14-1—-(6)

7.   North Platte St. Pats.12-3—-(7)

8.   Fremont Bergan ……12-3—-(8)

9.   Johnson Co. Central..13-1—-(9)

10. Creighton……………..13-2—-(10)

*Considered:  Burwell 15-1, Elmwood-Murdock 11-4,  Shelton 11-3, Twin River 12-4, Southern Valley 12-3.

No changes in C-2 this week.  Burwell is pressing Creighton hard for that number 10 position.  Creighton’s only 2 losses are to Hartington CC and unrated C-1, O’Neill, but Burwell is excused for their only loss which is to number 1 Ravenna.  This is a sweet class in 2011/2012 and expect a jim-dandy of a State Tournament in March in C-2.

Class D-1………………………………Last Week

1.   Pawnee City……………12-2—-(1)

2.   O’Neill St. Marys ……..13-0—-(2)

3.   Humphrey St. Francis.12-1—-(3)

4.   Overton …………………11-2—-(4)

5.   BDS ………………………11-3—-(5)

6.   Paxton …………….. …..12-1—-(6)

7.   High Plains ……………..11-4—-(7)

8.   Randolph ……………….10-3—-(8)

9.   West Boyd………………11-2—-(10)

10. Bancroft-Rosalie………11-4—-(NR)

*Considered: Arapahoe 11-5, Sandhills-Thedford 10-3, Humphrey 11-4.

Arapahoe drops out in the wake of a 39-36 loss to C-2 Southern Valley.  Not that damaging of a loss, but Bancroft-Rosalie enters with a strong showing against C-2′s #3 Ponca.  West Boyd moves up from 10th to 9th.  St. Marys is closing the gap on Pawnee City and the Cardinals can make a move with strong showing against 13-2 Creighton (Tuesday) and 9-4 Stuart this week.

Class D-2…………………………….Last Week

1.   Giltner ……………………14-0—-(1)

2.   Howells ………………….12-1—-(2)

3.   Wynot ……………………15-1—-(3)

4.   Dodge…………………….14-1—-(6)

5.   Sterling……………………12-4—-(4)

6.   GI Heartland Lutheran.12-4—-(5)

7.   Brady …………………….12-2—-(8)

8.   Wausa……………………12-4….(10)

9.   Stuart………………………9-4—(NR)

10. Loomis…………………….9-4—-(9)

10. Hayes Center…………..10-4—-(10)

*Considered: Clarkson 11-5, Falls City Sacred Heart 9-6, Pleasanton 9-4.

Tough as nails, Dodge makes the jump from 6th to 4th this week in light of losses by Sterling and GI Heartland Lutheran.  Those two slide one slot each.  Pleasanton drops out with a 52-48 loss to Elm Creek (8-6).  Wausa goes from 10th to 8th and Loomis slides from 9th to 10th having lost to an 8-4 Alma team,  53-50.  10-4 Hayes Center enters for the first time.  The invaders from the Southwest handed 7th rated Brady one of their two losses and couple of weeks back.

Top Games this week:

Class B:

Tuesday: Norris @ Gretna, South Sioux City vs. Omaha Bryan in the Bryan Cage Classic, Omaha Skutt @ Omaha Central

Saturday: Sidney @ Scottsbluff

Class C-1:

Friday: Wilber-Clatonia @ Milford, Doniphan-Trumbull @ St. Paul

Saturday: Kearney Catholic @ McCook

Class C-2:

Tuesday: Nebraska City Lourdes @ Lutheran High NE,  Hartington CC @ Ponca

Class D-1:

Tuesday: Sterling @ Sutton

Friday: Clarkson @ Howells, Humphrey St. Francis @ Norfolk Catholic

Saturday: Lutheran High NE @ Humphrey St. Francis, Howells @ Humphrey High

Class D-2:

Tuesday: GI Heartland Lutheran @ Ravenna, Creighton @ O’Neill St. Marys

Thursday: Stuart @ O’Neill St. Marys

Class B

1.  South Sioux City….8-4

2   Beatrice …………..10-1

3.  Scottsbluff ……….13-1

4.  Omaha Skutt ……..9-2

5.  Omaha Gross……..9-3

6.  Elkhorn …………….9-2

7.  Gering …………….10-1

8.  Gretna ……………..7-4

9.  Sidney………………8-3

10 Lincoln Pius X…….7-5

*Considered:  Aurora 7-4,  Nebraska City 7-4

*South Sioux City remains the top team in Class B after turning back #2 Beatrice at home Saturday, 76-60.  The River Cities Tournament is this week, so these S.S. City and the Orangeman could end up meeting again in the Finals Saturday at 5:00 at Omaha Roncalli.  Skutt and Gross change spots after Skutt won a head to head battle 68-65 last Friday.  Gross can gain redemption because these two meet again Tuesday in the opening round of the River Cities Tourney.  This time Skutt gets the home game at 7:00.  Lincoln Pius drops one spot after losing by 9 to # 6 Elkhorn.  The demotion came from the fact the ‘Bolts struggled to beat 4-7 Ralston 61-56 in overtime.  Last week’s #10 Norris drops out after losing to a pair of sub 500 teams in 3-6 Elkhorn South (66-77) and 3-7 Crete (45-48 OT).  Another invader from the West, 8-3 Sidney enters the Class B ratings at #9.  Three teams from that area are now rated in the “B” top 10.

 

Class C-1

1.   Wahoo…………………12-0

2.   Boys Town……………10-1

3.   Minden………………..10-1

4.   Norfolk Catholic………9-3

5.   Wayne………………….11-2

6.   Milford…………………10-1

7.   Omaha Roncalli……….8-3

8.   Columbus Lakeview..10-2

9.   Kearney Catholic ……10-2

T10  Adams Central …….11-2

*Considered: Bishop Neumann 7-4,  Lincoln Christian 8-4, Hastings St. Cecilia 8-5, Hershey 9-3,

Valentine 9-3, Kimball 9-3, and Wilber-Clatonia 10-2.

*The C-1 world was rocked Saturday night when Wayne went to Boys Town and beat the mighty Cowboys, 63-60.  More shocking is the fact the Blue Devils have been without one of their deadliest shooters in sophomore Jalen Berry.  #2 Minden also took a hit when C-2′s Number One Ravenna drilled the Whippets 57-38 Tuesday night.  These games lifted Wahoo into the top slot in C-1.  The Warriors are unbeaten at 12-0 but have a huge test Friday when they travel to Norfolk Catholic.  Wayne, and rightly so, takes a giant leap from being ratings considered a week ago to actually being rated #5.  The Blue Devils will be tested again this Friday when they visit C-2 number 5, Hartington CC.  The following week they will be in the Mid-States Tournament that will seperate the “men” from the “boys.

Milford and Roncalli drop a notch to make room for Wayne, and St. Cecilia drops out after a 12 point loss to Kearney Catholic.  The C-1 ratings will definately be affected in another week with the powerful Centennial Conference tournament on tap January 23-28.

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna………………12-0

2.   Sutton ………………..12-1

3.   Ponca …………………10-1

4.   Lutheran High NE ….13-1

5.   Hartington C.C. ………8-0

6.   Stanton………………..12-1

7.   North Platte St. Pats.10-3

8.   Fremont Bergan ……10-3

9.   Johnson Co. Central..10-1

10. Creighton……………..11-1

*Considered:  Elmwood-Murdock 11-3, Burwell 12-1,  Shelton 10-2, Twin River 11-3, Southern Valley 11-3.

*Well what do you know, only one change in C-2.  Johnson County Central and Creighton exchange spots because of JCC’s MUDECAS Tournament championship.  Yes, the Thunderbirds are playing down in class there, but I think this is a pretty good basketball team.  In one of the best match-ups of the year in C-2, #1 Ravenna visits #2 Sutton Tuesday night.  It must be a biggie because the World-Herald’s prep rater, Stu Pospisil will be on hand.

Class D-1

1.   Pawnee City……………10-2

2.   O’Neill St. Marys ……..11-0

3.   Humphrey St. Francis 10-1

4.   Overton ………………….9-2

5.   BDS ………………………..9-3

6.   Paxton ………………….11-1

7.   High Plains ………………9-4

8.   Randolph ………………..8-3

9.   Arapahoe………………..10-4

T10 West Boyd……………..10-1

T10 Humphrey……………….9-3

*Considered: Bancroft-Rosalie 10-3, Sandhills-Thedford 8-3.

*Pawnee City holds on to the top slot despite a MUDECAS finals loss to C-2 number 9, Johnson County Central.  O’Neill St. Marys schedule just does not seem rugged enough to elevate the Cardinals above Pawnee City.  St. Francis moves up to third and Overton leaps all the way from 8th to 4th because of their huge win over a powerful Class C-2 North Platte St. Pats squad (61-50).  BDS slips to 4th with a loss to Pawnee City.  Guardian Angels CC drops out with 3 losses last week, albeit to class C schools.  Randolph moves up one, Arapahoe enters at #9 primarily because of a win over C-1 Gothenburg (50-40).  The Swedes were rated 10th in C-1 at the time.  West Boyd and Humphrey enter for the first time, tied for the 10th spot.

Class D-2

1.   Giltner ……………………12-0

2.   Howells ………………….10-1

3.   Wynot ……………………13-1

4.   Sterling……………………11-3

5.   GI Heartland Lutheran.10-3

6.   Dodge …………………….12-1

7.   Pleasanton ……………….9-3

8.   Brady …………………….10-2

9.   Loomis ……………………9-3

10. Wausa…………………….9-4

*Considered: Clarkson 8-3, Falls City Sacred Heart 8-5, Hayes Center 8-3, Spalding/Spalding Academy 8-4.

*Wynot leap frogs Sterling in light of the Jets’ MUDECAS loss to Lourdes Central.  Falls City Sacred Heart drops out after 2 losses in that MUDECAS Tourney but still remain a dangerous team.   Dodge jumps from 9th to 6th with wins over 7-4 Oakland-Craig, Lindsay HF, and 8-3 Clarkson.  Loomis moves up one slot to 9th and Wausa edges out Hayes Center for 10th.  Hayes Center handed #8 Brady a 52-46 loss last Friday ands continues to improve after early season losses to Sutherland, Dundy Co/Stratton and Arapahoe.

 

Top Games this Week:

Tuesday:

Class B: River Cities Tournament: Omaha Gross @ Omaha Skutt, Ralston @ Omaha Roncalli.  also, Gretna @Bennington, Columbus @ Elkhorn

C-1: Milford @ Col. Lakeview,  Kearney Catholic @ GICC, Pierce @ Lutheran High NE

C-2: Creighton @ Hartington CC, Ravenna @ Sutton

D-1: Elwood @ Overton

Thursday:

B: River Cities Conference Tournament semi finals at higher seeds

C-1: Seward @ Lin. Christian, Freeman @ Wilber-Clatonia

C-2: Arapahoe @ Southern Valley

Friday:

B: Plattsmouth @ Gretna, Lincoln Christian @ Lincoln Pius X

C-1: Wayne @ Hartington CC, Elmwood-Murdock @ Milford, Wahoo @ Norfolk Catholic

C-2: Giltner @ Cross County, Bancroft-Rosalie @ Ponca

D-1: Howells @ Guardian Angels CC

D-2: BDS @ Exeter-Milligan, Pawnee City @ Falls City SH

Saturday:

B: River Cities Conference Final @ Roncalli,  Lincoln NE @ Elkhorn, Gering @ Scottsbluff

C-1: Norfolk Catholic @ Bennington, Adams Central @ GICC, Gothenburg @ Kearney Catholic

D-1: Dodge @ Humphrey High,

D-2:  West Boyd @ Chambers/Wheeler Central, Nebr. City Lourdes @ Sterling

Classes D-1 and D-2

Class D-1

1.   Pawnee City………………8-0      {MUDECAS Tourney  Tue. vs. BDS (8-2)}

2.   O’Neill St. Marys ………..8-0      {Thur. @ Ewing (4-6)   Sat. Chambers/Wheeler Central (8-3)}

3.   Humphrey St. Francis …7-1      {Fri  Leigh (2-7)   Sat.  Madison (0-9)}

4.   BDS …………………………8-2      {MUDECAS Tourney Tue. vs. Pawnee City (8-1)}

5.   West Point GACC ……….5-4      {Tue. @Wahoo Neumann (5-4)  Fri.@ Battle Creek. (2-6) Sat.  Boone Central (4-6)}

6.   Paxton ……………………..9-1     {Fri. Wallace (2-5)   Sat. Creek Valley (3-4)}

7.   High Plains ………………..7-3     {Tue.  Palmer (4-5) Thur @Twin River (9-3)  Fri. Dorchester (0-9)}

8.   Overton ……………………7-2     {Fri.  North Platte St. Pats (8-2)  Sat. @ Bertrand (5-6)}

9.   Randoplh ………………….6-3      {Tue. @ West Holt (2-9)  Fri.  Wausa (9-3)}

10. Kenesaw …………………..7-3      {Tue. @Giltner (10-0)   Fri. Lawrence-Nelson (2-7) Sat.@Elm Creek (6-5)}

*Considered: Exeter-Milligan 8-1, Humphrey 7-4, Deshler 6-3, Bancroft-Rosalie 9-3, West Boyd 8-1, Sandhills-Thedford 7-3, Chambers/Wheeler Central 8-3.

Pawnee City moves into the top slot after previous #1 BDS’ 19 point loss to D-2′s top dog, Giltner.  Humphrey St. Francis and O’Neill St. Marys slide up one spot each and BDS slips to 4th.

Teams holding numbers 5 through 10 spots remain the same.  Randolph is not punished for a loss to unbeaten Creighton, who is now rated 9th in C-2.

The 83rd MUDECAS tournament gets under way at the Beatrice City Auditorium and SE Community’s Truman Center this week.  Boys start play on Tuesday, and 4 teams that hold down ratings slots and several others that are knocking on the ratings door are involved.  BDS can redeem itself by winning it’s 1st round match-up with D-1′s top rated Pawnee City.

Class D-2

1.  Giltner ……………………10-0      {Tue. Kenesaw (7-3)   Fri. Osceola (6-3)}

2.  Howells …………………..8-1        {Fri. @Wisner-Pilger (7-4)  Sat. Newman Grove (3-7)}

3.  Sterling …………………..10-2      {MUDECAS Tourney  Tue. vs. Nebr. City Lourdes (8-4)}

4.  Wynot ……………………11-1       {Tue. @Niobrara-Verdigre (4-7)   Fri. Winnebago (7-3)}

5.  GI Heartland Lutheran..8-3        {Tue. @ Hampton (4-6)   St. Edward (1-8)}

6.  Falls City Sacred Heart..6-3        {MUDCECAS Tourney Tue. vs. Johnson County Central (7-1)}

7.  Pleasanton ………………7-3        {Fri. @ Amherst (6-5)  Sat.  SEM (5-5)}

8.  Brady ……………………..9-1        {Fri. @Hayes Center (6-3)  Sat. South Loup (4-3)

9.  Dodge …………………….9-1       {Tue. @Oakland-Craig (7-4)  Thur@ Lindsay Holy Family (4-7)  Fri. @ Clarkson (8-3)}

10  Loomis …………………..7-3       {Fri. Wilcox-Hildreth (2-8)  Sat. @Elwood (6-1)

*Considered:  Wausa 9-3, Clarkson 8-3, Lewiston, 5-2, Hayes Center 6-3

Giltner strenghtens it’s number one rating with that 45-26 win over previous D-1 number 1 BDS.  Howells, Sterling, and Wynot all remain the same, and Grand Island Heartland Lutheran holds on to #5 despite it’s loss to C-2′s #4 Lutheran High NE.  The Red Hornets of coach Lloyd Wagnitz also beat C-1 Lincoln Lutheran 61-55 in the Lutheran Invitational Tournament last week at Concordia’s University’s magnificient facility.  Falls City Sacred Heart stays at #6, but Loomis slides from 7th to 10th because of the Wolves 13 point loss to Arapahoe (8-4).  Pleasanton, Brady, and Dodge all advance one slot.

Falls City SH faces C-2′s #10 Johnson County Central in the opening round of the MUDECAS tourney Tuesday at 7:00 at the Beatrice City Auditorium.  #3 Sterling drew Nebraska City Lourdes (8-4) in the same tournament Tuesday at 8:45 in the nightcap.

This Week’s top games:

Tuesday:

Class B:  Boys Town @ Gretna

Class C-1: Pierce @ Columbus Lakeview, Hastings St. Cecilia @ Boone Central, Minden @ Ravenna

Class C-2: Dodge @ Oakland-Craig, Aquinas @ Twin River

Class D-2: Kenesaw @ Giltner

Thursday:

Class C-1: St. Paul @ Kearney Catholic,

Class C-2: Ravenna @ Shelton, High Plains @ Twin River

Friday:

Class B: Scottsbluff @ Cheyenne East, Elkhorn @ Lincoln Pius X, Gretna @ Nebraska City, Adams Central @ Grand Island Northwest, Omaha Skutt @ Omaha Gross

Class C-1: Hartington CC @ Pierce, Milford @ Tri-County

Class C-2: North Platte St. Pats @ Overton

Class D-1: Winnebago @ Wynot

Class D-2: West Boyd @ CWC, Dodge @ Clarkson

Saturday:

Class B: Beatrice @ South Sioux City

Class C-1: Doniphan-Trumbull @ Adams Central, Wayne @ Boys Town, Hastings St. Cecilia @ Kearney Catholic

Class C-2: O’Neill @ Creighton, Sutton @ Tri-County

Class D-2: CWC @ O’Neill St. Marys

Class B

1.  South Sioux City……6-4        {Tue @ SC Heelen (6-1)  Sat. Beatrice (9-0)}

2   Beatrice ………………9-0        {Fri Holdrege (4-6)  Sat @ South Sioux City (6-4)}

3.  Scottsbluff ………….11-1      {Fri @Cheyenne East (10-2), Sat Cheyenne Central (7-5)}

4.  Omaha Gross ………9-2        {Fri. Om. Skutt (7-2)}

5.  Omaha Skutt ……….7-2        {Tue @ Elkhorn MM (0-8)  Fri @ Om. Gross (9-2)}

6.  Elkhorn ………………7-2        {Mon.  Schuyler (1-8)  Fri @ Lin. Pius X (6-4)}

7.  Gering ………………. 9-1        {Fri. Casper Kelly Walsh (3-5)}

8.  Gretna ……………….6-3         {Tue @ Boys Town (8-0)  Fri @ Nebr. City 6-3)}

9.  Lincoln Pius X ………5-4         {Fri. Elkhorn (7-2)  Sat @ Ralston 4-7)}

10 Norris…………………4-5         {Fri. @Elkhorn South (3-6)  Sat.  Crete (3-7)}

*Considered:  Sidney 7-3,  York 6-3,  McCook 7-5, Plattsmouth 6-4,  Aurora 6-4,  Nebraska City 6-3

Despite 2 losses last week, South Sioux City holds on to the top slot.  Beatrice will have a chance to knock off the top rated Cardinals when they visit South Sioux this Saturday.  Next week may bring another chance when the River Cities Conference Tournament is scheduled. 

Ratings movement: Omaha Skutt and Elkhorn swap spots in the light of the Sky Hawks 61-59 victory over Elkhorn last Tuesday.  Gering moves up from 10th to 7th, Gretna drops to 8th and Pius X to 9th to make room for Gering’s promotion.  Norris moves in at number 10 despite the 4-5 record.  All of the Titan’s losses are to rated squads excepting Plattsmouth, who is a ratings contender.  Last Saturday Norris took number 2 Beatrice to overtime before falling, 69-63 in the Orangeman’s house.

Class C-1

1.   Boys Town……………8-0        {Tue Gretna (6-3), Fri.  DC West (5-5)  Sat Wayne (9-2)}

2.   Minden ……………….9-0        {Tue. @ Ravenna (10-0)  Thur. @ Hastings (4-6)}

3.   Wahoo ……………….11-0      {Sat @DC West (5-5)}

4.   Norfolk Catholic……..8-3       {Tue.  Col. Scotus (6-4)}

5.   Milford…………………9-0       {Fri. @Tri-County (7-4)  Sat. @ Thayer Central (5-6}

6.   Omaha Roncalli…….6-3       {Fri. @Elkhorn MM (0-8)  Sat. Elkhorn South (3-6)}

7.   Hastings St. Cecilia….6-3       {Tue @ Boone Central (4-6)  Sat @ Kearney Cath. 8-2)}

8.   Columbus Lakeview…6-2      {Tue. Pierce (6-3)  Fri @ Centennial (6-5)  Sat. Fairbury (3-7)}

9.   Kearney Catholic …….6-2      {Thur. St. Paul (6-3)  Sat. St. Cecilia ( 7-4)}

T10  Adams Central ……..9-2       {Fri. @ GINW (5-5)  Sat. Doniphan-Trumbull (4-4)}

T10  Gothenburg………….9-1      {Tue. @Arapahoe (8-4), Thur. Cozad (4-5), Fri. @Chase Co. (5-5)}

*Considered: Lincoln Christian 7-4,  Pierce 6-3, Wilber-Clatonia 9-1, Hershey 6-3, Wayne 9-2.

The top 3 teams hold their positions, but #2 Minden has a huge game Tuesday at C-2′s top team, Ravenna.

Milford and Omaha Roncalli leap into the ratings big time and fill the number 5 and 6 slots respectively. Milford is unbeaten through 9 games and Roncalli mixes it up in the rugged River Cities conference and has only been beaten by Class B’s 2nd rated Beatrice,  5th ranked Omaha Skutt (68-74), and C-1′s top dog, Boys Town.

Norfolk Catholic slides up to the number 4 rung with big wins over Pierce and Wayne.  Hastings St. Cecilia slides to number 7 after being spanked by Class B Gretna, who earlier dropped a 53-42 decision to C-2 Ravenna.

Columbus Lakeview leap frogs Kearney Catholic by virtue of a stronger schedule, Adams Central remains number 10, but 9-1 Gothenburg forges their way into a tie with the Patriots for that spot.  Lincoln Christian drops out after a 52-46 loss to St. Cecilia but remains a very strong contender.  The Crusaders can climb back in the ratings with good showings next week against Class B foes Seward and Lincoln Pius X.

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna……………….10-0       {Tue Minden (9-0)  Fri. @ Shelton (9-1)}

2.   Sutton ………………….9-1        {Mon. @Sil. Lake (1-8)  Fri. Thayer Cent. 5-6  Sat. Tri-County (7-4)}

3.   Ponca …………………..8-1        {Tue. Wakefield (2-9)   Sat Elk Point-Jefferson, SD (2-2)}

4.   Lutheran High NE …..11-1       {(Thur. Battle Creek (2-6)  Sat  @Crofton (5-6)}

5.   Hartington C.C. ………..7-0        {Friday @ Pierce (6-3)}

6.   Stanton…………………10-1      {Fri. @Tekamah-Herman 5-7, Sat. @Elkhorn Valley (5-6)}

7.   North Platte St. Pats…..8-2        {Tue. Mullen (6-4)  Fri. @Overton (7-2)  Sat. @Southwest (2-7)}

8.   Fremont Bergan ……….7-2        {Sat. @ North Bend (4-6)}

9.   Creighton………………10-0      {Fri. @Laurel-Concord (1-7)  Sat. O’Neill (5-5)}

10  Johnson Co. Central. …6-0        {Tue. MUDECAS vs. Falls City Sacred Heart (8-3)}

*Considered:  Elmwood-Murdock 8-3, David City Aquinas 4-4,  Burwell 9-1,  Shelton 9-1, Doniphan-Trumbull 4-4, Freeman 8-3, Southern Valley 9-3.

Top 5 teams remain the same, but Stanton takes a giant leap into the ratings and lands at the number 6 spot in C-2.  The Mustangs only loss is to 7-4 Wisner-Pilger, but this past week they captured the Knight Invitational by besting then #6 Archbishop Bergan 52-40.  Stanton then beat then #9 Oakland-Craig three days later, 50-48.  North Platte St. Pats moves to 7th, Bergan drops to 8th and unbeaten Creighton moves in at number 9 with an unblemished 10-0 record.  A weak schedule had previously prevented the Bulldogs from entering the ratings.

Doniphan-Trumbull (2 losses last week) and Oakland-Craig drop out, but Johnson County Central remains number 10 despite a 58-40 shellacking by C-1′s Wilber-Clatonia (9-1). 

It must be noted that Doniphan Trumbull (4-4) will return the Slough brothers this week.  They had been ineligible up to this point because of a transfer to Adams Central last May that never materialized, but was in writing.  They decided to transfer back to Doniphan-Trumbull and had to face the manditory 90 waiting period to be eligible to compete.  Both were starters last season and heavy contributors to the Cardinal’s hoops program.  With veteran coach Dave Oman at the helm, Doniphan-Trumbull may be a force to be reckoned with the remainder of the season.

Classes D-1 and D-2 will appear later today, along with top games of the week in all classes

This project is a first for a football guy like myself although I’ve followed high school basketball closely for the past 50 years.  Hoops ratings before the first of the year are a virtual crapshoot for any prep rater, especially for one who has no pre-season prospectus sheets from coaches.  Let’s give it a whirl every week until sub districts and see how we fare.

I will rate all classes with the exception of Class A.  We’ll leave that to the experts like Stu Pospisil of the Omaha World-Herald and Ryly Jane Hambleton of the Lincoln Journal-Star.

Class B

1.  South Sioux City…….6-2

2   Beatrice ………………7-0.

3.  Scottsbluff …………..9-1

4.  Omaha Gross ………7-2

5.  Elkhorn ………………6-1

6.  Omaha Skutt ……….6-2

7.  Gretna ……………….4-3

8.  Lincoln Pius X ………5-4

9.  Waverly ……………..3-3

10 Gering ………………..8-1

*Considered: York 6-2,  McCook 6-3,  Plattsmouth 6-3,  Bennington 4-3

Comments:  Tony Siske’s Scottsbluff squad is a scary bunch, indeed.  They played Norfolk to within 7 points (77-70) in the championship game of the GNAC Tourney last week.  Beatrice heads to South Sioux City in two weeks (Jan. 14th) and then could meet the Cardinals again in the River Cities Tournament the following week.  Lincoln Pius is a shocking 5-4 thus far and should improve as the season progresses.

Class C-1

1.   Boys Town……………6-0

2.   Minden ……………….7-0

3.   Wahoo ………………..9-0

4.   Hastings St. Cecilia….6-3

5.   Norfolk Catholic……..5-3

6.   Bishop Neumann ……4-3

7.   Lincoln Christian …….6-3

8.   Kearney Catholic …….6-2

9.   Columbus Lakeview…6-2

10  Adams Central ……….6-2

*Considered: Milford 7-0,  Pierce 6-2,  Omaha Roncalli 5-3,  Gothenburg 7-1

Comments:  Tom Krehbiel’s Boys Town team looks very strong and may be a cut above the rest.  How about St. Cecilia, Adams Central, Kearney Catholic, and Minden all being grouped in C-1 Sub-District 9?   Yes, I may be crazy not to rate unbeaten Milford.  Incidentally, Omaha Roncalli is a dangerous team.  Big games this week include: St. Cecilia @ Gretna (Thur),  Bishop Neumann @ Boys Town (Fri), Crete @ Lincoln Christian (Fri), Lin. Christian @ St. Cecilia (Fri), Wayne @ Norfolk Cath. (Fri) and  Norfolk Catholic @ Pierce (Sat)

Class C-2

1.   Ravenna………………..7-0

2.   Sutton ………………….7-1

3.   Ponca …………………..8-1

4.   Lutheran High NE ……9-1

5.   Hartington C.C. ………6-0

6.   Fremont Bergan ……..7-2

7.   North Platte St. Pats…6-2

8.   Doniphan-Trumbull …4-2

9.   Oakland-Craig ………..6-3

10  Johnson Co. Central.. 6-0

*Considered: Creighton 8-0,  Stanton 7-1,  Elmwood-Murdock 7-2,  David City Aquinas 4-4,  Burwell 7-1,  Shelton 7-1.

Comments:  Creighton’s schedule kept them out of the ratings.  Ravenna looks very strong at this point, but could they encounter problems with teams like Kearney Catholic (who they could meet twice), or North Platte St. Pats, or Sutton because of their pressure defenses?  However, it appears the Bluejays can outscore most.  Oh by the way, circle Tuesday, Jan. 10th on your calender.  Class C-1 power, Minden visits Ravenna that evening……get there early.  Ravenna also gets a visit from Doniphan-Trumbull this Tuesday.  Sutton will get a shot at Ravenna when the ‘Jays visit the friendly confines of the Mustangs’ very cool facility on January 17.

Class D-1

1.   BDS …………………………8-1

2.   Pawnee City………………6-0

3.   Humphrey St. Francis …6-0

4.   O’Neill St. Marys ………..8-0

5.   West Point GACC ……….5-4

6.   Paxton ……………………..8-0

7.   High Plains ………………..5-3

8.   Overton ……………………5-2

9.   Randolph ………………….5-2

10 Kenesaw …………………..5-3

*Considered: Exeter-Milligan 6-1,  Humphrey 7-2,  Deshler 6-3,  Bancroft-Rosalie 8-2

Comments: Talk about circling a date on the calender…..This Friday, Jan. 6th, Class D-2′s number 1 Giltner pays a visit to Class D-1 number 1,  BDS.  Clash of the Titans to say the least.  Expect a ton of defense.  Two of the top players in the state will be on display in Giltner’s Drew Ott, and Bruning-Davenport-Shickley’s Ryan Tegtmeier.  West Point GACC is rated highly because of a brutal schedule that includes 10 Class C-1 teams and 4 C-2 squads.  Still remaining on their schedule are Norfolk Catholic, Bishop Neumann, Pierce, Lutheran High NE, Boone Central, and Wayne.  They are also in the Mid-States conference tournament, which includes 4 of the aforementioned teams.  The only class D team left on their schedule………….Howells.  Out West,  Paxton has literally buried everybody they have played, outscoring their opponents by an average of 70-28 per game.

Class D-2

1.  Giltner …………………….8-0

2.  Howells …………………..6-1

3.  Sterling ……………………7-2

4.  Wynot …………………….8-1

5.  GI Heartland Lutheran..6-2

6.  Falls City Sacred Heart..6-3

7.  Loomis ……………………6-2

8.  Pleasanton ………………6-3

9.  Brady ……………………..8-1

10 Dodge …………………….6-1

*Considered:  Wausa 6-3,  Clarkson 7-2,  Lewiston, 5-2,  Lindsay Holy Family 3-5,  Hayes Center 5-3.

Comments:  Could Giltner and Howells be headed for a meeting at the State tournament?  Pleasanton is waiting for all their football injuries to heal.  They will be a force to be reckoned with when that transpires.  Howells will travel to Humphrey St. Francis this Friday and GI Heartland Lutheran is in Seward this weekend for the Concordia tournament where they could play C-2′s #4 Lutheran High NE or class C-1′s  Lincoln Lutheran, who has beaten both GICC and Aquinas.

The “Takes Some Courage” award thus far goes to Falls City SH, who played in the Doane College Holiday Tourney last week.  They disposed of Class B Mt Michael Benedictine 37-21 before dropping a 62-36 game to Class B’s #5 Elkhorn Antlers.

 

 

(*Photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

CLASS D-2
OFFENSE

QB  Colin Janitscheck-Pleasanton   5-9, 150  Sr.

RB  Jed Fenske-Sargent   5-9, 165  Sr.

RB  Kalan Anderson-Loomis   5-10, 170  Sr.

RB  Trent Mastny-Howells   6-0, 205  Sr.

L  Logan Rath-Giltner   6-4, 240  Sr.

L  Jordan Brichacek-Howells   6-5, 245  Sr.

End  Taylor Roan-Humphrey   5-10, 180  Sr.

End  Ty Ottoson-Potter-Dix   6-1, 170  Sr.

DEFENSE

L  Brian Bayer-Howells   6-5, 230  Sr.

L  Ryan Moser-Sargent   5-10, 285  Jr.

L  Nathan Bazata-Howells   6-3, 260  Jr.

LB  Drew Ott-Giltner   6-4, 240  Sr.

LB  Dexter Hanzel-Humphrey   6-0, 215  Sr.

LB  Garrett Borcher-Pawnee City   6-0, 215  Sr.

DB  Tait Sibbel-O’Neill St. Marys   6-1, 185  Sr.

DB  Guy Fenske-Sargent   6-2, 190  Sr.

(*photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

CLASS D-1
OFFENSE

QB  Ryan Mitteis-Creighton   6-1, 175  Sr.

RB  Tanner Fate-High Plains   5-11, 160  Jr.

RB  Garrett Kolling-Alma   5-9, 160  Sr.

RB  Luke Dlouhy-Deshler   5-9, 160  Sr.

RB  Nate Hass-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   5-11, 160  Jr.

L  Kai Wolf-Alma   6-4, 300  Sr.

L  John Clouse-Friend   6-3, 240  Sr.

L  Severin Bach-Randolph   6-4, 260  Sr.

End  Zach Weitfeld-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   6-0, 170

DEFENSE

L  Kellen Unvert-Freeman   6-5, 215  Sr.

L  Austin Peatrowsky-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   6-0, 190  Sr.

LB  Jake Olmstead-Overton   6-2, 205  Sr.

LB  Andrew Heitoff-Elgin/Pope John   5-10, 190  Jr.

LB  Cogan Thompson-Kenesaw   6-1, 200 Sr.

DB  Troy McCuiston-Newman Grove   5-11, 170  Sr.

DB   Tyler Schnitzler-Kenesaw   6-0, 170  Jr.

DB  Grant Beckman-Elgin/Pope John   5-10, 165  Sr.

CLASS C-2

QB  Grant Teckmeyer-Lincoln Christian   6-3, 215  Sr.

RB  Tom Peitz-Crofton   5-11, 210  Sr.

RB  Anthony Pacheco-Kearney Catholic   5-9, 175  Sr.

RB  Tanner Zlab-Wilber-Clatonia   5-10, 180  Sr.

L  Joseph Wahlmeier_Hastings St. Cecilia   6-3, 230  Sr.

L  Mike Schoff-Cambridge   6-6, 290  Sr.

L  David Squires-Kearney Catholic   6-2, 250  Jr.

L  Nathan Hoffman-Crofton   6-2, 230  Sr.

WR  Eric Francois-Nebraska City Lourdes   6-0, 165  Sr.

WR  Matt Sleister-Fremont Bergan   6-1, 185   Sr.

WR  Levi Gipson-Lincoln Christian   6-2, 180  Sr.

K  Matt Kissinger-Hastings St. Cecilia   6-0, 180   Sr.

DEFENSE

L   Seth Hoffman-Aquinas Catholic  6-0, 210  Jr.

L   Sam Hahn-Tri-County   6-5, 240  Sr.

L    Andrew Vinton-North Platte St. Patrick   6-0, 190   Sr.

LB  Kalen Vadenburg- Aquinas Catholic   5-11, 180  Sr.

LB  Alex Lowe-Kearney Catholic   6-0, 180  Sr.

LB  Austin Svoboda- Aquinas Catholic   5-10, 195  Jr.

LB  Joel Grafel-Hastings St. Cecilia   6-0, 180  Jr.

DB  Brian Husmann-Kearney Catholic  5-10, 175  Jr.

DB  Spencer Nickolite-Stanton   5-11, 180  Sr.

DB  Landon Stouffer-Aquinas Catholic   5-10, 170  Jr.

P   Garrett Bunde-Doniphan-Trumbull   6-2, 245  Sr.

 

CLASS C-1 – OFFENSE

QB  Garrett Folchert-Ogallala   5-11, 165  Sr.

RB  Tyler Kavan-Wahoo   5-10, 170  Sr.

RB  Drew Schroeder-Arlington   5-8, 165  Sr.

RB  John Jeffers-Ogallala   5-8, 150  Sr.

L  Brandon Barta-David City   5-10, 235  Sr.

L  Mason Rohrich-Pierce   6-0, 195  Sr.

L  Scott Volmer-Norfolk Catholic   5-11, 215

L  Josh Jochim-Platteview   5-11, 195  Sr.

WR  Logan Paben-Columbus Lakeview   5-10, 150  Jr.

WR  Dalton Jenkins-Tekamah-Herman   6-1, 175  Sr.

K  Drew Farlee-Norfolk Catholic   6-0, 170  Sr.

DEFENSE

L  Michael Gill-Ogallala   6-0, 210  Sr.

L  Cody Ramaekers-Norfolk Catholic  6-0, 175  Sr.

L  Justin Cloyd-Platteview   5-10, 180  Sr.

DE  Connor Ketter-Norfolk Catholic  6-5, 220  Jr.

LB  Shelton Dvorak-Pierce   5-9, 165   Sr.

LB  Kyle Schaefer-Norfolk Catholic  5-10, 190  Jr.

LB  Cooper Sedlacek-Omaha Roncalli   5-11, 215  Jr.

DB  Carson Blum-Minden   5-11, 180  Sr.

DB  Preston Luedtke-Columbus Lakeview   5-10, 170  Jr.

DB  Cole Chvatal-Wahoo Neumann   5-11, 170  Sr.

P  Jordan Bellar-Norfolk Catholic  6-0, 160  Jr.