Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Boys and Girls hoping for successful seasons despite being hit hard by graduation

Team: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder

Mascot: Raiders

Colors: Blue and Red

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Sean Forbes (5th season) (58-38 career record)

2017-2018 record: 21-5 (Lost to Wahoo in District Final)

Returning Starters: 0

Overview:

It's new look, new Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Boys Basketball this year as the Raiders are a brand new team after graduating 8 seniors from last year.

Kids who will help make up the team this year are Connor Larson (5’11, SO G), Trystain Roseberry ( 6’3,  JR F), Nathan Wacker (6’2,  SR F), Clay Kruger (6'1, Sr G), Riley Hoetfelker ( 6’0,  So G, Austin Peters (6’1,  SR F),  Garrett Kriete, (6'5, So C),  Garrett Palmer 6’0,  So G),  Jayden Korman (6'1, SO F), Brett Uhing (5'11, SO F), Wyatt Rebbe (6'0, JR G), and Jake Hagerbaumer (6'2, SO G).

Head Coach Sean Forbes. "This will be a brand new team for us this season after graduating 8 seniors. We are going to look forward to improving throughout the season and hopefully be playing our best at the end of the year. There is a lot of opportunity for playing time for whoever steps up and has the best pre-season on our team. I look forward to having competition at practice to see how our team comes together."

Forbes says things have gone well in the preseason. "Our younger guys and our new guys are really working hard. Competition's been high at practice cause everybody knows playing time's wide open. So practices have been going really good and everybody's been working hard so I'm pretty happy with the progress we've made so far."

Larson and Wacker have really stepped up in the preseason, according to Forbes.

The 8 seniors that graduated last year are Brandon Hagerbaumer, Ben Moxness, Jacob Polk, Alex Hagerbaumer, Alex VonSeggern, Logan Rebbe, Nathan Taylor, and Joel Moeller.

It's an entirely different team and squad this year, and so I think it's hard to know what to expect from the Raiders.

I feel Logan View/Scribner-Snyder will get better as the season progresses, but the Raiders will be young and inexperienced for sure.

Forbes adds chemistry has come a long ways.

Depth appears to be a team strength as Forbes says the team will be a lot deeper this year with the ability to play 10 or 11 guys this year compared to 6 or 7 last year.

I feel the team will get a lot of valuable playing and varsity experience this year if anything.

I think this is a team that will be really good in the future, and has the potential to be a good, solid, quality squad this year as well.

I think having depth will really allow this team to stay fresh without much drop off.

Season Outlook:

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Boys look to reload as opposed to rebuild.

The schedule is very challenging for the Raiders though so it will be interesting to see how they do this season.

LVSS is in Sub-District C1-6 with North Bend Central, West Point-Beemer, and Arlington.

Forbes says Sub-State would of really helped the Raiders the past four years.

The team hopes to be clicking in January and February when it matters.

Forbes says his team is looking forward to the season. "We're going to look forward to seeing who steps up on our team and hopefully harass the other team with the numerous guys we plan on playing."

It will be interesting to see who all starts and sees a lot of playing time for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

I think the Raiders could try a lot of different rotations and have a lot of success.

It appears this team has a lot of potential, and I think Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has the potential to win their fair share of games this year.

I don't know if the Raiders will be as good as they were last year, but LVSS should be a solid, young team.

I feel this is a team may start off slow, but peak at the right time at the end of the season and be a postseason threat.

The schedule has its challenges, but I don't think there's any doubt the Raiders can win some games and surprise some people this season.

The Raiders host Oakland-Craig in the season opener on Thursday, November 29th.

The Knights are a very experienced and veteran laden team, and that should make for a very difficult challenge for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

I feel it will be a game with a lot of unknowns as I don't think anyone really knows what to expect come the 29th.

I think if anything the Raiders will learn about themselves and each other in that contest.

2018-2019 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder Raiders Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 Oakland-Craig
12/01/18 Twin River
12/04/18 @ Wayne
12/08/18 Wahoo
12/11/18 Columbus Lakeview
12/14/18 Tekamah-Herman
12/18/18 @ Douglas County West
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Elmwood-Murdock Holiday Tournament Elmwood-Murdock
01/04/19 North Bend Central
01/05/19 Stanton
01/08/19 @ Madison
01/12/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/15/19 @ Arlington
01/17/19 @ Raymond Central
01/19/19 West Point-Beemer
01/22/19 @ Howells-Dodge
01/26-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/05/19 @ Clarkson/Leigh
02/08/19 @ BRLD
02/15/19 Yutan

Team: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder

Mascot: Raiders

Colors: Blue and Red

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Nick Hegge (8th season) (23-132 career record)

2017-2018 record: 7-16 (Lost to Arlington in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Girls Basketball Team looks to build on the success the team had last year, especially at the end of the season, and be even more successful this year.

Two starters return for 8th year Head Coach Nick Hegge's squad, and they are Shaylin Daugherty (5’9, Sr F), who averaged 7 rebounds a game last season, and Ashley Peters (5’5, Sr G).

Other returning letterwinners and newcomers include Ashley Uhing (5’6, Sr F), Valerie Uehling (5'4, SO G), Josie Kahlandt , (5'6, SO G), and Kaylin Niewohner  (5'5, SR G).

Hegge says the team is ready for the season to begin. "The girls are excited, they're fired up. They've got some energy. We lost a lot from last year's team, but we're hoping that we have kids ready to fill in and step in, and hope that they don't miss a beat."

21 girls are out for the team this year.

Girls lost from last year include Kaylee Boyle, Sierra Beacom, Morgan Morgan, Abby Kahlandt, and Breanna Smith.

Hegge says good guard play is a team strength.

Uehling, Kahlandt, Daugherty, and Peters played a lot last year, and are back and ready to go.

Uhing will be needed on defense and rebounding, according to Hegge.

Hegge says Uehling is a rising star. "Valerie Uehling is a very nice player and will likely receive college interest as she gets older."

I look for her and Daugherty, Kahlandt, Niewohner, and Peters to lead the team this year.

I think Daugherty will be a huge key to the Raiders's success this season.

I look for her to become a consistent scoring threat down low that rebounds the ball very well also.

I think LVSS will have a lot of good guard play and solid post play that hopefully results in the Raiders improving on last year's season.

Having 21 girls out for the team is a really good sign, and I think co-oping in all sports now has really added to the camaraderie and familiarity of the girls.

I feel team chemistry and togetherness is probably at an all time-high given the fact these girls have been together for a while now.

Season Outlook:

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder's Girls hope to be even better this year than they were last year.

I think there's a handful of games that could be sure wins, and those games are against Cedar Bluffs, DC West, Madison, and Boys Town.

I feel there are other games that are winnable for the Raiders this year as well, and think LVSS can get to at least 8 wins this season.

The Raiders have increased their win total every season in recent years, and I look for LVSS to do that once again this season.

The Raiders host Oakland-Craig on Thursday, November 29th in the season opener. "We can't wait around. We got to be ready to go. We know that they're a physical team, and we know that they like to get after you and press. So we just got to be ready for it, and we got to be ready to bring it from night one, " Hegge said.

Hegge adds there's no easy dates in the East Husker Conference.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder is in Sub-District C1-6 with West Point-Beemer, North Bend Central, Tekamah-Herman, and Arlington.

I feel anyone is beatable at that time of year, and the Raiders can certainly make anything happen when the postseason rolls around.

I think scoring the ball at a high rate will be important for LVSS, and to score a lot of points the Raiders will need to take care of the ball, and look to get out in transition.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has to value each possession, and convert easy layups and free throws when given the opportunity.

I think defense will be important for the Raiders too.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has to rebound well and box out and keep their stars out of foul trouble as much as possible.

The Raiders are an up and coming team, and LVSS has to take more steps forward this season and improve upon last year.

I thought Logan View/Scribner-Snyder did some really nice things last year, but it's a new year and the Raiders have a lot to prove this season.

I think the success LVSS had in Volleyball and Softball and Cross Country will really help the Raiders in basketball this year.

2018-2019 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Raiders Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 Oakland-Craig
12/01/18 Twin River
12/04/18 @ Wayne
12/06/18 Cedar Bluffs
12/11/18 Columbus Lakeview
12/14/18 Tekamah-Herman
12/18/18 @ Douglas County West
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined)         Elmwood-Murdock Holiday Tournament Elmwood-Murdock
01/04/19 North Bend Central
01/05/19 Stanton
01/08/19 @ Madison
01/12/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/15/19 @ Arlington
01/17/19 @ Raymond Central
01/19/19 West Point-Beemer
01/22/19 @ Howells-Dodge
01/25-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/05/19 @ Clarkson/Leigh
02/07/19 @ Boys Town
02/08/19 @ BRLD

Oakland-Craig Boys and Girls anticipating lots of success

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Aaron Meyer (15th season) (184-158 career record)

2017-2018 record: 16-10 (lost to BRLD in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Boys Basketball Team looks to be good again this year as the Knights return the majority of last year's 16-10 team.

Returning starters include Garrison Dodge (5'9, SR G), who averaged 9 points a game last season, Wyatt Seagren (6'6, JR C), who notched 8 points and 6 rebounds a game last season, and Cole Bures (6'4, SR C).

Other returning letterwinners are Robby Mayberry (5'10, SR G), Jared Mulder (6'0, SR F), Colton Thomsen (6'2, JR F), Ian Lundquist (5'9, JR G), and Tyson Harney (6'2, SR F).

Newcomers who could contribute this season are Jaron Meyer (5'11, SO G) and Coulter Thiele (6'1, SO G).

Key losses from last year are Garrett Seagren and Kobe Benne, who both did a lot of the team's scoring.

Head Coach Aaron Meyer says his team will need to find new ways to score. "I don't know if we should expect to replace their type of scoring. Though I think we're going to need to score more baskets around the paint in multiple ways. We've got to get a little bit creative that way I think."

That means Wyatt Seagren will really need to step things up on the inside.

Meyer says stepping up the scoring and younger players finding their way will be important to this team's success. "We graduated the bulk of our scoring so we need guys to pick up the load there. We also have a crew of younger players that need to find their niche."

Meyer adds this is a veteran team with talent. "This team has some size and depth. We also have some experienced players returning."

I don't think there's any doubt the Knights will win their fair share of games this season.

Oakland-Craig may not be as athletic and dynamic as they were the past couple of seasons, but I think this team will play really well together.

I look for the Knights to win the close games, and have a nice season.

I think there's a lot to be said for being experienced and veteran laden, and I look for Oakland-Craig to be one of those teams that stays calm during tough situations and makes plays down the stretch and in clutch moments.

The Knights should be solid across the board this year.

Season Outlook:

Oakland-Craig looks to have another successful season this year and do big things.

I feel the Knights have a chance to win quite a few games this year, and think the schedule sets up nicely for Oakland-Craig.

Meyer says expectations are high. "One thing that we've noticed already with this group of kids and these seniors is they want to get past the expectations of others around them."

The Knights open up the season at Logan View/Scribner-Snyder on Thursday, November 29th. "We saw them this summer, and they were youthful and hungry, and they were way better than I anticipated. Especially for only really having one, maybe two guys return that played much," Meyer said.

Meyer says his team would of taken advantage of the new Sub-State format in the past.

Goals include finishing in the top of the conference and be at their best at the end of the season.

Oakland-Craig is in Sub-District C2-5 with BRLD, GACC, Walthill, and Omaha Nation.

I feel that Sub-District will be very entertaining and competitive.

There's a long ways to go before the postseason rolls around though, and the Knights have a lot of big games before the postseason begins.

I think the biggest thing for Oakland-Craig is to work as hard as possible and have a drive and a will and a burning passion to win.

The Knights have to hate to lose, and take the mentality they played with in Football and carry it over onto the hardwood.

Oakland-Craig has a chance to be a very good team, and I'm really excited to see what the team can do this year.

I think the Knights will be a very scrappy team that works extremely hard.

I think defense and ball handling will be two strengths for Oakland-Craig.

Hitting free throws, especially in the clutch, will be big for the Knights too I feel.

I think Oakland-Craig is one of the better teams in the conference and the area, and look for them to show why this season.

2018-2019 Oakland-Craig Knights Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
12/01/18 @ Boys Town
12/04/18 Clarkson/Leigh
12/07/18 @ Pender
12/08/18 @ Howells-Dodge
12/11/18 @ Winnebago
12/13/18 Wisner-Pilger
12/15/18 Madison
12/18/18 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic
12/20/18 Omaha Nation
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Malcolm Holiday Tournament Malcolm
01/04/19 @ Stanton
01/08/19 @ Walthill
01/11/19 BRLD
01/15/19 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/18/19 @ North Bend Central
01/22/19 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
01/26-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/08/19 West Point-Beemer

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Joe Anderson (6th season) (69-50 record)

2017-2018 record: 12-11 (lost to BRLD in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 6

Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Girls Basketball Team looks for a huge season with the return of Dacey Nelson and Kennedy Benne from ACL injuries.

Head Coach Joe Anderson says everyone returns. "Girls have high expectations this year if everything can fall into place. We return all of our starters, plus we return 2 time all-state Guard Dacey Nelson (5'7, SR G) (23 ppg, 7.5 rpg) who missed all of last season due to ACL. We also return all-state guard  Kennedy Benne (5'7, JR G) (20.6 ppg, 6rpg, 4.6 spg) who missed the last 11 games of the season with an ACL injury. Both are healthy and look good. I really feel these 2 girls are 2 of the best guards in the state. With those 2 out, our other girls really improved and gained  a lot of game experience. Mya Guzinksi (5'7, JR G) is a very good point guard that distributes the ball very well ( 5 assists per game). Natalia McNeill (5'7, SR G) (9ppg) and Grace Pille (5'6, SR G) (4 ppg) are all girls that have played a lot of varsity BB the last 3 years. Ashley Denton (5'7, SR G) stepped up last year and became a 3 point threat for us. Makenna Pearson (5'10, SO P) started all the games last year as a freshman post. Jeannina Blahak (6'1, SO P) had a big summer and should give us some big help in the middle at 6’1.  If we can stay healthy we should have a very competitive group."

Other returning letterwinners/newcomers include Ellie Weitzenkamp (5'6, SR G), Edie Anderson (5'5, SO G), Ashten Rennerfeldt (5'7, SO G), and Rheanna Paul (5'11, SO P).

Anderson says his squad is better this year for having gone through what they did last year. "Those injuries really allowed those other girls to improve their game and kind of put them in some situations where we had to lean on them. And I think that's going to do nothing but help us this year. Because now we have Dacey back, we have Kennedy back, and we have all those girls with a lot more experience. They're forced to handle the ball, take some important shots, and you put all that together, and we feel we have a pretty deep team this year."

Anderson says the team is low on numbers, but the girls they do have out have played quite a bit of varsity basketball.

This team should be very good, I don't think there's any doubt about it.

As long as the Knights stay healthy they should be a great team.

I look for Nelson and Benne to have huge seasons, and for everyone to play well throughout the season.

Nelson is headed to Hillsdale College to play basketball next season, and her and Benne are very exceptional talents.

I think this season has a chance to be very memorable for Oakland-Craig.

Expectations are at an all-time high.  "Our kids have really high expectations. We feel like we've been building for this season. We had high hopes last year too and it was really cut short with some injuries," Anderson said.

Anderson says the team hopes to stay healthy this year, and the goal is to keep getting better and better each week and play good in February.

Season Outlook:

Oakland-Craig figures to have a very good chance to be a great team this season.

The pre-Christmas Schedule looks like the Knights can win every game, and I wouldn't be shocked if the Knights were undefeated at least through the end of the Calendar Year.

The end of the regular season gets tough with games against Gretna, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Fremont Bergan, and West Point-Beemer.

That's when it will all really count, but Oakland-Craig has to enjoy the journey, process, and ride.

The East Husker Conference figures to be tough this year with the top teams including the Knights, Stanton, West Point-Beemer, and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, and I would add Clarkson/Leigh to that group as well as BRLD.

Anderson says the Knights want to win a conference championship, and build that momentum into Districts and be a State Qualifying team. 

Oakland-Craig is in a tough Sub-District in C2-5 with perennial power GACC, Wisner-Pilger, BRLD, and Omaha Nation. "GACC's a team that I think has been to state 20 some years in a row, and they're always going to play good basketball come February. BRLD's had a good program the last few years since they've combined. There's going to be good basketball teams. And our goal is to make sure that we just keep getting better week in and week out, " Anderson said. 

Anderson also says his team is really anxious to get back down to state after making the State Tournament for the first time in School history in 2015-2016.

The pieces are certainly in place for the Knights to not only get to state, but do some damage at the State Tournament.

As long as Oakland-Craig stays healthy they should be right there in the end.

I'm very excited to see what the Knights can do this season given all who and what they bring to the table.

Oakland-Craig has a roster full of stars and really good players, and the Knights should do some very special and amazing things this season.

I honestly would not be surprised if Oakland-Craig cuts down the nets at Pinnacle Bank Arena on March 2nd.

That's something the Knights have to shoot and strive for, and dream about.

2018-2019 Oakland-Craig Knights Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

12/01/18 @ Boys Town

12/04/18 Clarkson/Leigh

12/07/18 @ Pender

12/08/18 @ Howells-Dodge

12/11/18 @ Winnebago

12/13/18 Wisner-Pilger

12/15/18 Madison

12/20/18 Omaha Nation

12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Malcolm Holiday Tournament Malcolm

01/04/19 @ Stanton

01/05/19 Elmwood-Murdock

01/11/19 BRLD

01/15/19 @ Tekamah-Herman

01/18/19 @ North Bend Central

01/19/19 Gretna Site: Ralston Arena Ralston Arena

01/22/19 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

01/25-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/05/19 Archbishop Bergan

02/08/19 West Point-Beemer

BRLD Boys and Girls expecting big things this year

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Cory Meyer (5th season) (80-27 record)

2017-2018 record: 26-3 (took 3rd place at State)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team looks for another gigantic season after finishing 3rd at State last season.

Of course we can't forget the Lucas Vogt buzzer beating three pointer to beat Elmwood-Murdock in the first round of state last season.

Back for the Wolverines are Nick Ronnfeldt, Will Gatzemeyer, Jaxon Johnson, Darwin Snyder, Dylan Beutler, Vogt, Braxton Bargmann, Devin Hegge, Braydon Anderson, Micah Henschen, and Luke Kramer.

5th year Head Coach Cory Meyer says the team is really looking forward to the season. "It's probably the most exciting season for me so far. We've got a lot of really good kids. We've got a lot of talent back. We're going to miss the seniors from last year, but it's going to be an exciting year."

Key losses from last year include Kenyan Lovejoy, Trent Gatewood, Hunter Ferguson, and Michael Snyder.

Meyer says the team will probably have a target on their back and be ranked for the first time in a long time.

Meyer adds highlights of the offseason include doing well at the Big Ten Camp and winning the West Point-Beemer Camp over the summer.

He says fans can expect to see a tough team this year. "A lot of intensity, experience coming back from last year's 26-3 team. Hard work."

I don't think there's any doubt the Wolverines will be very good this year.

BRLD returns a ton of players from last year's team, and depth appears to be a very big strength.

And the thing is the Wolverines are still relatively young this year.

A lot of these players are Juniors and Sophomores, and I feel the sky is the limit for them.

Big things are and should be expected for BRLD this year, and I'm very anxious and excited to see how the Wolverines fare.

These kids had a lot of success in Football, and I think that will only carry over to the hardwood.

A long football season could mean the Wolverines might take a bit to get their legs under them in basketball, but I totally anticipate BRLD being fine in that regard.

It should be another great and memorable season for the Wolverines, and BRLD has to be very excited about this year.

Season Outlook:

BRLD figures to be very dynamic once again this season.

I feel the schedule sets up nicely for the Wolverines.

Games against Ponca, Boys Town, Winnebago, and Oakland-Craig figure to be very tough though.

Auburn in the Heartland Hoops Classic towards the end of the season and Pender to close out the regular season figure to be challenging as well.

Meyer says there's a lot of good teams on the schedule. "I've always felt our conference & districts are one of the most competitive to play in. This area in general is very competitive."

BRLD opens up the season at Omaha Nation on Thursday, November 29th. Meyer says the Chiefs will be a challenge. "Starting off the first game it's going to be tough, especially at Macy. And it's going to be a good game. They bring a lot of skill, they bring a lot of good shooters, a lot of good ball handlers. I look for it to be a tough game."

The Wolverines are in Sub-District C2-5 with Omaha Nation, Oakland-Craig, GACC, and Walthill.

Extremely tough Sub-District for sure. I think BRLD will have their work cut out for them in the postseason. I wouldn't be surprised if 2 or 3 teams from this Sub-District Qualified for Sub-State.

Meyer adds a lot is expected of this year's team. "I have high expectations with this team. I have not only great players, but great kids with great work ethic that like to push each other. Very unselfish team."

Meyer says everything matters. "The Basketball IQ's very high with our team. I do have really high expectations. Every practice, every game, every drill that we do I mean it needs to be competitive. And we need to push each other and make ourselves better."

I would add that every play, every shot, every free throw, every rebound matters.

Everything the Wolverines do matters as BRLD is in the business of winning.

I really think BRLD has a great chance to get back to state and make it to Championship Saturday in Lincoln and win it.

I feel this team has a lot of high and great potential.

The Wolverines are a great and elite team, and I look for them to prove and show that once again this season.


2018-2019 BRLD Wolverines Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Omaha Nation
12/01/18 Homer
12/04/18 Emerson-Hubbard
12/06/18 Walthill
12/07/18 @ Clarkson/Leigh
12/14/18 @ Howells-Dodge
12/21/18 Ponca
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Holiday Tournament Howells
01/04/19 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/05/19 @ West Point-Beemer
01/11/19 @ Oakland-Craig
01/15/19 @ Wakefield
01/18/19 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
01/19/19 Stanton
01/22/19 @ Winnebago
01/26-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/05/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
02/08/19 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
02/09/19 Auburn Site: Grand Island-Heartland Classic Grand Island-Heartland Classic
02/15/19 Pender

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Rod Peters (7th season)

2017-2018 record: 21-5 (lost to Stanton in District Final)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The BRLD Girls Basketball Team has high expectations once again this year after going 21-5 and reaching a District Final in a season that also saw them win the East Husker Conference Tournament.

Back for the Wolverines this season are Seniors Paige Peters and Brandi Simonsen, Junior Kelsey Larsen, and Sophomores Caragan Tietz and Aubrey Berg.

Players that came off the bench last season were Brooklyn Nolting, Kinlee Bacon, and Isabel Freemont.

Junior Kailynn Lovejoy could make an impact, and Freshman Alyssa Buchholz will add a scoring punch, according to 7th year Head Coach Rod Peters.

BRLD graduated a talented senior class from last year that included four-year starter Vicki Gatzemeyer. "And going into the summer I was a little nervous. And I thought we had girls that really did a good job of stepping into their roles and figuring out what their roles were on the team, "Peters said.

Peters says he thought the Wolverines became a better passing team over the summer.

It sounds like BRLD plays well together as a team and is unselfish, two signs of a great basketball team.

I look for the Wolverines to continue the momentum of the good season they had last year, and do even better things this year.

Peters says the team will have to push the ball up the floor quite a bit due to not having a ton of height.

Teams with height could give BRLD issues, but I think the Wolverines will be very fast and athletic.

BRLD had an explosive offense and a solid defense last year.

I think there's room for improvement on both ends of the floor, and I look for the Wolverines to make those improvements as the season progresses.

I feel BRLD will be a team that gets better as the season goes along.

The Wolverines lost some key pieces from last year's team, but appear to have the pieces in place to retool and reload.

It should be another fantastic season for BRLD.

Season Outlook:

The BRLD Girls Basketball Team looks to be a team to be reckoned with once again this year.

I feel the Wolverines will have a chance to win quite a few games again this season.

The toughest games on the schedule appear to be against Clarkson/Leigh, Ponca, West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig, and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family.

BRLD has a stretch of five straight road games to start the new calendar year, and the Cadets, Knights, and Bulldogs makeup three of those contests. That will be a very difficult stretch for the Wolverines for sure.

BRLD opens up the season on Thursday, November 29th at Omaha Nation. 

Peters says Omaha Nation has a new coach and adds the Chiefs lost a few really good guards from last year.

When asked about the East Husker Conference this year, Peters says things should be very competitive. "I think there's some really good teams in the conference and some great players. So any given night I think a lot of teams could be beaten by other teams." 

Peters says really good teams include Oakland-Craig, Stanton, West Point-Beemer, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Clarkson/Leigh, and Pender. 

Peters says team goals include getting into the Conference Finals again, and playing well as a team together.  

Other goals include making state, which the team came up short of doing last year, and going into every game thinking they have an opportunity to win.

I don't think there's any doubt the Wolverines want to and and expect to get back to the District Finals and go to Sub-State.

BRLD has their work cut out for them in the Sub-District though with the likes of Oakland-Craig, GACC, and Wisner-Pilger in it.

The Wolverines are in Sub-District C2-5 with the Knights, Bluejays, Gators, and Omaha Nation.

It should be a fun season and a great ride for BRLD, and I'm sure the Wolverines are very anxious and excited to get the season underway.

I expect big things from BRLD once again.

2018-2019 BRLD Wolverines Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Omaha Nation

12/01/18 Homer

12/04/18 Emerson-Hubbard

12/06/18 Walthill

12/07/18 @ Clarkson/Leigh

12/14/18 @ Howells-Dodge

12/15/18 @ Boys Town

12/18/18 Pender

12/21/18 Ponca

12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Holiday Tournament Howells

01/04/19 @ Tekamah-Herman

01/05/19 @ West Point-Beemer

01/11/19 @ Oakland-Craig

01/15/19 @ Wakefield-Allen

01/18/19 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

01/19/19 Stanton

01/22/19 @ Winnebago

01/25-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/05/19 @ Wisner-Pilger

02/08/19 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

West Point-Beemer Boys and Girls ready to start seasons

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Cody Bobolz (4th season) (36-40 record)

2017-2018 record: 15-10 (lost to Arlington in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

It's new look, new West Point-Beemer Cadets this year as the West Point-Beemer Boys Basketball Team looks to retool and reload under 4th year Head Coach Cody Bobolz.

Two key returners for the Cadets are Blake Anderson and Ben Vander Griend.

Jesus Barragan, Zach Vander Griend, Keegan Doggett, and Dylan Newkirk are all expected to play big roles and contribute.

Bobolz says the Cadets had a good summer. "I was pleased with the development throughout the summer, no doubt about it. Felt we got better from our first summer league game to our last. And that's obviously as a coach something you want to see. But we know going forward now start of the regular season that's just going to be a continued progression. Getting some of those younger guys more comfortable."

It will be interesting to see how West Point-Beemer starts the season.

The Cadets will breaking in quite a few new players to I expect it to take some time for new players to get acclimated and comfortable.

West Point-Beemer has gotten better in each of Bobolz's years at the helm, but the Cadets graduated a lot from last year.

Key losses include Alex Gianella, Chase and Austin Streeter, Gavin Case, Hunter Pilakowski, Cole Hughes, and Tate Ernesti.

West Point-Beemer has their work cut out for them this year with a young team, but I feel it's a team with a lot of potential and room for growth throughout the season.

The key thing is being patient with these kids.

The Cadets are putting a pretty young team on the floor this year, and struggles are bound to happen and take place.

How West Point-Beemer bounces back and rebounds from those struggles will ultimately dictate how their season is going to go, in my opinion.

If the Cadets can just stay the course and take things one game at a time they should have an opportunity to win some ball games this year.

West Point-Beemer may start off with some deer in the headlights looks, but I look for this team to be grown up and more mature at the end of the season.

Season Outlook:

West Point-Beemer looks to challenge teams this year and turn some heads.

Games the Cadets have the best chance to pick up wins in appear to be against Arlington, Stanton, Howells-Dodge, Schuyler, Tekamah-Herman, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Madison.

There are some very tough teams on the schedule, and they include Omaha Roncalli, North Bend Central, Wisner-Pilger, BRLD, Battle Creek, Pierce, Wayne, Oakland-Craig, and Fremont Bergan.

The Cadets open up the season at Arlington on Thursday, November 29th. "First game when you come out. It's a toss up. You just don't know exactly what you're going to get. I'd pry say more so for us this year just with the amount of inexperience that we have. I'm hoping not a huge eye opener for some of these young guys, but I think it will definitely be an adjustment coming out in that first game," Bobolz said.

Bobolz says going down to Arlington is going to be a challenge as they're always athletic and will get after the Cadets. The Eagles have a new coach this year.

The Holiday Tournament and East Husker Conference Tournament is always tough as well.

West Point-Beemer is in Sub-District C1-6 with North Bend Central, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Arlington.

Tekamah-Herman is usually in that sub-district as well, but the Tigers have dropped down to C-2.

Bobolz feels North Bend Central is the favorite to win the Sub-District.

Bobolz says the biggest thing for his team is to continue to focus on the process and getting better, and taking those small steps everyday to be a better basketball team.

I think the Cadets are going to be one of those teams that challenges teams on a nightly basis.

West Point-Beemer may not win every game, but I think the Cadets will compete and beat the teams they're supposed to.

I think the most important thing for West Point-Beemer is to grow and improve throughout the season as a team.

Learning how to be good teammates and how to play together as a team and having good teamwork will be big for the Cadets this year I feel.

West Point-Beemer did well in football again this year so there's no reason to think the basketball Team can't have some success as well.

2018-2019 West Point-Beemer Cadets Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Arlington
12/01/18 Omaha Roncalli Catholic
12/04/18 @ Stanton
12/06/18 @ North Bend Central
12/11/18 Howells-Dodge
12/20/18 @ Fort Calhoun
12/27-12/29 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Shoot Out Wayne
01/04/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/05/19 BRLD
01/08/19 Battle Creek
01/10/19 Schuyler
01/12/19 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/18/19 Twin River
01/19/19 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/22/19 Pierce
01/24/19 @ Wayne
01/26-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/05/19 Madison C1
02/08/19 @ Oakland-Craig
02/15/19 @ Archbishop Bergan

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Taylor Shepard (1st season)

2017-2018 record: 20-7 (Lost to Wahoo in District Final)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Girls Basketball Team is expecting big things under first year Head Coach Taylor Shepard, who comes to the school from Elkhorn South.

Shepard on this year's expectations. "Looking to build on the success of last year after graduating 5 seniors. Transfer Sierra Kile will help, along with Brooke Haase, Sidney Swanson, and Andrea Hoffman."

Shepard adds she likes the makeup of this year's squad. "Obviously having Sidney Swanson back in a Sophomore role having a little bit more experience will be very helpful for us. I'm also excited to see what our group of seniors can do. I think Brooke Haase's going to be able to contribute a lot in the post along with Kendra Paasch. Abby Kaup provides a fire for us. I'm really excited to see what that translates like then on the court. And then Darian Repschlaeger on the defensive end and Andrea Hoffman with her shooting abilities will be really helpful."

Shepard says Kile is a great add as she averaged about 20 points and 10 rebounds at Conestoga last year.

Swanson averaged 9 points a game for the Cadets last year while Hoffman averaged 6.

Shepard says the offseason went well. "We were able to go to five different team camps, including the UNL Team Camp and the Concordia Team Camp, which were really fun. We got to play some teams that we won't see throughout the season. But it was really great just getting to know the girls and start working them through our system just a little bit."

Shepard says girls were in the gym everyday in the summer and a little bit in the fall shooting. 

Key losses from last year include Makenna Weddle, Brittney Hinkel, Katie Pilakowski, Megan Groth, and Nicole Mitzel.

The Cadets certainly lost a lot from last year, but a lot of good players return.

I think West Point-Beemer will be a more balanced and more well rounded team this year.

By that I mean I think the Cadets will score more in the post and will play tougher post defense than in the past.

I think West Point-Beemer has a very chance to do well again this season and make state.

Season Outlook:

The West Point-Beemer Girls have high expectations this season.

I think the Cadets have a chance to win a ton of games this year with the toughest contests coming against Omaha Roncalli, Stanton, North Bend Central, Howells-Dodge, Fremont Bergan, Pierce, Wayne, and Oakland-Craig.

I look for West Point-Beemer to start strong and rattle off a lot of wins in the middle portion of the schedule as well.

Things get tough towards the end of the regular season so we'll see where the Cadets are at that point.

West Point-Beemer is in Sub-District C1-6 with North Bend Central, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Tekamah-Herman, and Arlington.

Shepard says North Bend Central is always a tough team that has a lot of height and skill with a very talented coach in Aaron Sterup.

West Point-Beemer's had a lot of success in recent years, but hasn't quite broken through and made state.

In fact, the Cadets haven't made State since 1977.  "That's something we've been talking about since Day One. Just speaking with the girls and it's always been a goal of theirs to make it to state. Obviously I've had a lot of experience both as a player and as a coach going to state, and so that's kind of been the expectation for me. And I'm hoping that we can continue to build on that throughout the season," Shepard said.

I don't think there's any doubt that the Cadets are built to win and make state this year.

With the transfer of Kile and other returning players West Point-Beemer should contend for a state berth again.

I think the Cadets will have a lot of depth in the post and that should really help.

I feel the new Sub-State format really benefits a team like West Point-Beemer in that they may avoid a top team such as a Wahoo or a Bishop Neumann.

If the Cadets can have a successful regular season and get hot in the postseason I think state is very doable, especially with the right matchup at Sub-State.

West Point-Beemer opens up the season on Thursday, November 29th when they take on Arlington on the road.

2018-2019 West Point-Beemer Cadets Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/29/18 @ Arlington

12/01/18 Omaha Roncalli Catholic

12/04/18 @ Stanton

12/06/18 @ North Bend Central

12/11/18 Howells-Dodge

12/18/18 @ Archbishop Bergan

12/20/18 @ Fort Calhoun

12/27-12/29 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Shoot Out Wayne State College

01/04/19 @ Wisner-Pilger

01/05/19 BRLD

01/08/19 Battle Creek

01/10/19 Schuyler

01/12/19 @ Tekamah-Herman

01/18/19 Twin River

01/19/19 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

01/22/19 Pierce

01/24/19 @ Wayne

01/25-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/05/19 Madison

02/08/19 @ Oakland-Craig

Winnebago Boys finish State Runner-Up

The Winnebago Boys Basketball Team finished State Runner-up at the State Basketball Tournament this past weekend.

The second seeded Winnebago Indians faced off against the #7 Syracuse Rockets in the first round at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Thursday, March 8th, in action heard on 107.9 The Bull.

Syracuse got out to a quick lead early, but Winnebago was able to win the first quarter 12-11, and took a 27-24 lead into halftime.

A big offensive third quarter saw the Indians score 17 points and lead 44-33 at the end of three.

The Rockets won the fourth quarter 17-15, but Winnebago claimed the victory, 59-50.

D’Von LaPointe led the Indians with 17, while Maurice Scott added 16.

Winnebago met Broken Bow in the Class C-1 boys state semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday in a game also heard on 107.9 The Bull.

Winnebago made seven three-pointers in the first half, shooting themselves to a 35-28 lead at halftime.

Broken Bow made a couple of comeback attempts in the second half, but Winnebago was able to close out strong, winning the game 69-55.

Winnebago was led by stellar performances from Manape Cleveland, who scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, and LaPointe, who scored 25 points. Scott added 10.

The Indians came up short in Saturday morning's State Championship Game, losing 70-66 in overtime to Wahoo in action also heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Indians led the Warriors 15-14 at the end of one, and won the 2nd quarter 13-11 to take a 28-25 lead into the locker room.

Both teams scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter, and the score at the end of 3 was 45-42 in favor of Winnebago.

Wahoo won the 4th quarter 17-14 to tie the game at 59 and send it into overtime.

The Warriors outlasted the Indians 11-7 in the 4th quarter.

Tough way for Winnebago to lose, especially in a state championship game, but the Indians gave it their all and did everything in their power to win, in my opinion.

Winnebago ends their great season with a 22-7 record.

The season started off with a bang for the Indians as Winnebago knocked off the likes of Walthill, Omaha Nation, Oakland-Craig, Battle Creek, and Wisner-Pilger before the new year, and then picked up big wins over eventual C-2 State Champion Ponca, Dakota Valley, SD, Wynot, Carroll, IA, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Creighton, Osmond, and Wakefield in the second half of the season prior to state.

The state wins over Syracuse and Broken Bow were pretty impressive in my book, and it was definitely another season to remember for Winnebago Boys Basketball.

The Indians say goodbye to a host of seniors, including LaPointe, Scott, Cleveland, Makoonce Littlevoice, Lance Denney, Caden Cleveland, and Bear Kennedy.

Winnebago loses some great players, but you can figure on the Indians putting an excellent product on the floor next year as Winnebago simply reloads instead of rebuilds.

Key returners for the Indians next season include Ed Payer, Jeriah Greyowl, and Willy Wingett.

Some great players are leaving the program this year...players that were in high school for all 4 of Winnebago's State Tournament runs.

This year's senior class couldn't really ask for anything more from that standpoint.

The Indians could be young next year, but you can bet Winnebago will be talented.

Winnebago will have a new crop of talent to work with next year, and it will be interesting to see what the makeup of next year's team is like.

Some great players have come and gone through this program, and future Winnebago teams have a lot to live up to, there's no doubt about that.

You could say this has been one of the most successful if not the most successful time period the Indians have had in school history.

Lots of hard work, determination, and dedication will be needed this offseason to keep the tradition going.

New players must emerge and make their mark on this program.

Winnebago has to come together over the offseason, and be ready to go at the start of next season.

It will be interesting to see who all the Indians feature on their team next year.

I guess we'll find out in November who all the incoming crop of talent is for Winnebago.

BRLD Boys finish 3rd at State

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team finished 3rd at State this past weekend, defeating Elmwood-Murdock 48-47 in overtime at Lincoln Southeast in Thursday's first round on a Lucas Vogt buzzer beater that may be remembered forever before losing 50-33 to Ponca in Friday in the Semifinals at the Devaney Center, and beating Yutan 73-62 in the 3rd place game on Saturday at Lincoln East.

The last C-2 boys state basketball quarterfinal matchup of the day on Thursday saw more drama than a soap opera.

BRLD started the game hot from behind the arc, hitting five three pointers in the first quarter, taking a 17-6 lead.

The Wolverines added another pair of threes in the second quarter, running their first half total to seven made three pointers, and would lead 26-13 at halftime.

The Knights came out firing in the third quarter, however hitting a trio of three-pointers, and outscoring BRLD 15-2, and the game was tied 28-28 after three.

Both teams scored nine points in the fourth quarter, and at the end of regulation, the game was tied 37-37, sending the action into overtime.

Things seemed bleak late for BRLD, trailing 47-45 with 6.5 seconds to go.

The Wolverines rebounded a missed Elmwood-Murdock free throw and the outlet pass went to Vogt, who crossed halfcourt and drained a deep three pointer as time expired to give BRLD the OT win.

Vogt was the leading scorer for BRLD with 17 points including four threes. Darwin Snyder also hit four shots from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points.

Coming off an amazing overtime win the night before, Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons Decatur was met with another challenge when they faced #1 Ponca in the Class C2 boys basketball semifinals heard on 107.9 The Bull.

Ponca came out hot, making six three-pointers in the first quarter, to lead 22-13. The Indians would go up 30-20 at halftime.

Cold shooting from the Wolverines in the second half allowed Ponca to keep the score out of reach for much of the game, eventually winning 50-33.

Vogt had nine points for BRLD, with Trent Gatewood adding eight and Jaxon Johnson scoring seven.

The Wolverines led the Chieftains 15-9 at the end of one, and outscored Yutan 24-14 in the 2nd quarter to take a 39-23 lead into the locker room.

The Chieftains outscored BRLD 18-10 in the 3rd quarter to make it a 49-41 game at the end of three.

The Wolverines won the 4th quarter 24-21.

Great run and season for BRLD.

The Wolverines end the year at 26-3.

BRLD had a magnificent season, in my opinion, picking up big wins over Omaha Nation, Howells-Dodge (3 times), West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig (twice), Wakefield (twice), Winnebago, North Bend Central, Wisner-Pilger, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Battle Creek, and of course Elmwood-Murdock and Yutan at state.

The Wolverines did a lot of great things this year and have a ton to be proud of.

Head Coach Cory Meyer says the tough transition time in the first year of the co-op last year paid off this year. "I couldn't be more excited for our players, coaches, communities, schools, fans, etc...  Last year was a difficult year because of the 1st year of the co-op; the transition was tougher than I originally thought but was excited for it. The co-op brings the best out of the players. The more competition, the harder they try, the better they become."

Meyer adds the shot by Vogt is something he'll never forget. "I was excited and stunned at the same time. There were a lot of emotions throughout that game and that put the cherry on top. Put it this way, watching that buzzer beater and listening to it on the radio never gets old. He threw that shot up and it is not a high percentage shot, so obviously I had my doubts. I shouldn't be too surprised though because Lucas made a similar shot from almost the exact same location over the summer to win a game."

I tell you what...I'm sure Bancroft, Rosalie, Lyons, and Decatur, and other areas were rocking that night after that shot heard around Northeast Nebraska.

I know I about fell out of my chair out of excitement.

It's something I'm sure Vogt and everyone that was involved with the team in some way or was there or listened will remember for as long as they live.

It was a great shot, and is something BRLD can definitely use as a springboard into next season, in my opinion.

The Wolverines wouldn't have had the success they had without the seniors though I would say.

Meyer says being tough and unselfish allowed BRLD to have the kind of season they had. "What stands out about this team is how mentally tough they were which was a question I had going into the season. In the past, I've had teams play up to teams levels and also play down to teams levels. This team did not do that. They played hard no matter who it was against. Sure, we had a couple not so good performances but it wasn't a result of not trying hard. What I think I will remember about these seniors is the fact they accepted their roles better than I ever thought they would. And when the players except their roles, good things happen. My last impression of our senior starters Trent Gatewood and Kenyan Lovejoy and back-up seniors Michael Snyder and Hunter Ferguson will be the state consolation game vs Yutan. I cleared the locker room and had a heart to heart conversation with them, placing a lot of weight on their shoulders that game and they really came through. All 4 played about as well as I could have asked and it made a huge difference in the game. It's nice to give them a great send off like we did and be able to place a medal around their necks for their last game."

I'm sure winning that last game is something Lovejoy, Gatewood, Michael Snyder, and Ferguson will remember for the rest of their lives.

They went out winners.

The rest of the team is back next year, and I fully expect BRLD to make another state run.

The Wolverines have to work just as hard if not harder than they have in the past to be great again next year, in my opinion.

I'm sure BRLD will be up to the task of improving and growing before next season begins.

Meyer adds the co-op has brought out the best in these kids. "I'm thrilled that the board members game to an agreement to continue with the Co-op. Like I said before, the co-op creates competition and when there's competition, it makes the players work harder and become more disciplined, harder workers."

I look for BRLD to make another run at a state title next year.

BRLD Boys top Oakland-Craig in Sub-District Final, rally to beat Battle Creek in District Final

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team won 48-43 over Oakland-Craig in the C2-3 Sub-District Final from West Point-Beemer on Thursday, February 22nd before winning 40-38 over Battle Creek in the C2-2 District Final at Wayne State College last Monday night.

It came down to a deciding possession late in the 4th quarter of the Oakland-Craig game.

Down 46-43 with 7.8 seconds left, the Knights' Robby Mayberry was dribbling down court, and tried to get the ball to All-State Player Garrett Seagren for a game-tying three pointer, but Mayberry crossed half court and threw it behind to Seagren, who was trailing the play, but couldn't quite make it across halfcourt with the ball after catching it, thus the game deciding turnover.

Oakland-Craig made a furious rally late as Seagren canned three 3's after BRLD went up 45-34 with less than a minute to go.

The Knights led early, 6-5 after one, and 17-15 at halftime after winning the 2nd quarter 11-10.

The Wolverines put together a big 3rd quarter though, doubling up Oakland-Craig 18-9 to go up 33-26 at the end of three.

The Knights won the 4th quarter 17-15.

Kenyan Lovejoy led BRLD with 16 points, including 7 in the 2nd quarter, while Darwin Snyder scored 13. Will Gatzemeyer added 10.

Meyer says his team has a lot of offensive weapons. "The thing I like about our team is I don't have just one person that's going to standout. I've got 2, 3, 4, 5 guys that can all step up and score double digits in a game. And we just play good team basketball, and I'm really enjoying this year just watching them play."

Meyer adds Oakland-Craig was underrated. "Aaron always has his team ready. They're a great team. They're a lot better than what that record shows because to start the season off they didn't have Garrett to start off with, and they should be a Division I if not ranked in C-2. And there's no doubt in my mind. And trying to beat them twice is tough to do, and we did that tonight."

The Braves got out to a 15-5 lead after one, and outscored the Wolverines 13-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-13 lead into the locker room.

BRLD trimmed the deficit to 7 at 33-26 at the end of three by winning the 3rd quarter 13-5.

The Wolverines outscored Battle Creek 14-5 in the 4th quarter.

Lovejoy had a team-high 12 points for BRLD while Snyder scored 8.

Meyer says the game was a tale of two halfs. "First half our shots were just uncharacteristic of us. We just weren't taking the shots that we normally take. I don't know it's just the shots weren't falling, No. 1, but the shots just weren't good quality shots I guess I should say. Really good high percentage shots that we were taking. And just think it just got away from us...and Battle Creek...they were hitting their shots, and they were getting confident. And that just snowballed on us. And all of a sudden the most we were down by was 17, and down by 15 at half, and it's tough to comeback and do that. But thank God for halftimes. And so we just settled the players down. They just needed to reverse the ball and move the ball better than what they were doing, and play better defense. Defensively, it was just okay in the first half, it picked up a lot better the second half, and that was the difference in the game, they just needed to settle down."

BRLD (24-2) takes on Elmwood-Murdock (19-4) in the first round of State at Lincoln Southeast at 8:45 p.m. Thursday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Knights lost 48-44 to Yutan in the C2-2 Sub-District Final at Wahoo on Thursday, February 22nd, but qualified for state for the 3rd straight year with a wildcard.

Meyer says Elmwood-Murdock poses a matchup problem from a height standpoint. "Our tallest is 6'3, and it's going to be tough to matchup with their 6'6 Wes Dreamer. He's going to be one heck of a matchup for us. And we're going to have to try and do our best, and just see if we can try to contain him."

Meyer says that's the only matchup that concerns him, saying he thinks everyone else will be alright.

He discusses the keys to the game for the Wolverines. "Well we've got to be able to rebound. And we've got to be able to run the floor. We've got to play good defense. We've got to make sure we limit Wes Dreamer. Limit him, his touches with the ball. So we've got to be able to run our offense too, and not do the same thing we did against Battle Creek."

Meyer adds this year's C-2 field is loaded. "There's a lot of talent, and I've always said that. We've beaten 3 ranked C-1 teams this year. I think C-2 is the class that's just got a lot to offer. And there's just no weak teams in it. And it's going to be tough, and it's going to be anybody's ball game."

BRLD is making their first ever state tournament appearance as a Co-op. Bancroft-Rosalie most recently made the state tournament in 2015, finishing runner-up in Class D-2 that year. Lyons-Decatur Northeast last made it in 1994.

This is going to be a tough game and matchup for the Wolverines no doubt, but BRLD can definitely win.

Whoever wins this game figures to have their work cut out in the semifinals against either Ponca or Perkins County.

The Wolverines have to start off a lot better than they did against Battle Creek if they want to win Thursday, in my opinion.

BRLD has to work the ball around the court for good shots and open looks, and not settle.

I think State Tournament experience helps the Wolverines in the case of the former Bancroft-Rosalie players who played in the tournament in 2015, but the Knights have plenty of state tournament experience too so you know they will be ready.

This figures to be a great game that comes down to the wire, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if BRLD came out with the victory.

The path to championship Saturday is very difficult it appears, and the Wolverines will have earned a State Championship Game berth if they get it.

Anything can happen though, and BRLD can definitely walk away from this tournament as State Champs.

Thursday night's game from Lincoln Southeast can be heard on the Bull beginning at 8:45 p.m.