Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Boys and Girls with high expectations in first year of Co-op

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Cory Meyer (3rd season) (39-13 record)

Returning Starters: 5 (2 BR 3 LDNE)

Overview:

The Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Boys begin their inaugural season, and return some talent from last year's teams.

Returning starters from B-R are Trent Gatewood & Aaron Ras. From Lyons-Decatur...Hunter Ferguson, Cole Christofferson, and Montana Riecken return.

Perhaps the biggest losses from last year are Alec Anderson, who graduated from Lyons-Decatur. Anderson was a 1st team All-Conference player who averaged 18 PPG,  And Mario Aldrich from Bancroft-Rosalie, who averaged 15.5 PPG.  So the team is missing both schools' leading scorers.

Here is this year's roster:

*0 Jacob Zuhlke Jr. 5-9 Guard

1 Devin Hegge Fr. 5-7 Guard

*2 Michael Snyder Jr. 6-1 Guard

*3 Kenyan Lovejoy Jr. 6-1 Post

*4 Trent Gatewood Jr. 5-11 Guard

*5 Montana Riecken Sr. 5-11 Guard

10 Ezequiel Zavala-Taylor Fr. 5-11 Post

11 Andrew Marr So. 5-10 Guard

*12 Jon Christiansen Sr. 6-1 Guard

13 Arizona Riecken Fr. Guard

*14 Jacob Whitaker Sr. 5-8 Guard

*15 Aaron Ras Sr. 6-0 Post

20 Darwin Snyder Fr. 5-7 Guard

21 Joel Rodriquez Sr. 6-2 Post

*22 Hunter Ferguson Jr. 5-10 Guard

*23 Nick Ronnfeldt So. 6-3 Post

*24 Wyatt Hennig Sr. 5-7 Guard

25 Braxton Bargmann Fr. 5-9 Guard

30 Will Gatzemeyer Fr. 5-9 Guard

31 Ryan Payton So. 5-6 Guard

32 Seth Totten So. 6-2 Post

33 Reid Preston So. 6-1 Post

34 Jaxon Johnson         Fr. 6-2 Post

35 Ramon Hawk So. 5-10 Post

45 Luke Kramer Fr. 6-0 Post

50 Braydon Anderson Fr. 6-0 Guard

*55 Cole Christofferson Sr. 6-4 Post

* Returning Letter Winners

Head Coach Cory Meyer feels there are a lot of newcomers who could contribute.

"This is kind of a difficult question to answer. As last year’s head coach from B-R I see many of the Lyons-Decatur players as newcomers who will be impact players. And I can speak for Weston Swanson, who is my assistant this year, who was Lyons-Decatur’s co-head coach last year as seeing many of the Bancroft-Rosalie players as newcomers who will be impact players. We do have a great freshman class which will have players who will contribute."

Meyer says having depth and a number of good players on the floor will help this program out in the long run.

"There’s no doubt about it. With the amount of depth we have and the amount of players (25) out, it creates more competition which in turn makes the kids work harder in practice. Last year both Bancroft-Rosalie and Lyons-Decatur couldn’t support a full varsity because of the lack of players and because of the co-op we can do that. Also, we do have depth now allowing more rest for the starters throughout the year.."

There appears to be a lot of talent on this roster, and I think the Wolverines will be able to play quite a few kids without there being much drop off, if any drop off at all.

I think BRLD has to be considered a legit team to make a run at the state tournament.

Meyer says everyone has been getting along so far.

"It helps that most of the players played football so they are familiar will each other and we also played summer ball together as well. So far I think the kids really like the co-op."

Team unity and togetherness will be key and important if the Wolverines are to make any sort of run at state, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

BRLD figures to be in the mix for a state run again this season if the team plays up to their potential.

Meyer says he's not sure as of yet how good this team can be.

"It’s too early to tell at this point. There’s just so much to learn for the new players and for the talented incoming freshmen. I have to believe we can have a good season because the potential is there and the pieces of the puzzle are there, we just need to figure out a way to put them together."

The Wolverines appear to have some very winnable games at the start of the season, taking on the likes of Omaha Nation, Howells-Dodge, Ponca, Emerson-Hubbard, and Clarkson/Leigh.

These teams were decent a year ago, but I think BRLD is capable of beating every one of them.

Tough games for the Wolverines appear to be against Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Stanton, West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig, Winnebago, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, in addition to certain Holiday and Conference Tournament games BRLD plays.

I think the Wolverines are capable of having a very good season. The team has to come together and work together as one, but I feel the talent and pieces are in place for BRLD to have a very fine season.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast had a very fine season last year, and Bancroft-Rosalie was in the state championship in Meyer's first year, so some of the players from both schools already know what it's like to win.

That should help BRLD throughout the long grind of the season.

The Wolverines are in Sub-District C2-4 with the likes of Ponca, Homer, Omaha Nation, and Wakefield.

BRLD could potentially face Fremont Bergan, Yutan, or possibly Oakland-Craig in a district final so whoever comes out of Sub-District C2-3 would no doubt be a very deserving and worthy opponent for the Wolverines, should BRLD reach a district final.

I look for this season to be a fun, action packed, and entertaining year for the players, coaches, and fans.

I think it's going to be a really good season for BRLD Boys Basketball.

BRLD opens the year up at Omaha Nation on December 1st.

2016-2017 Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Wolverines Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Omaha Nation

12/03/16 Homer

12/06/16 Emerson-Hubbard

12/09/16 @ Clarkson/Leigh

12/16/16 @ Howells-Dodge

12/22/16 Ponca

12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) GACC Holiday Tour West Point

01/03/17 Cedar Bluffs

01/06/17 @ Tekamah-Herman

01/07/17 @ West Point-Beemer

01/13/17 @ Oakland-Craig

01/14/17 Mead

01/17/17 @ Wakefield

01/20/17 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

01/21/17 Stanton

01/24/17 @ Winnebago

01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/07/17 @ Wisner-Pilger

02/10/17 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

02/17/17 Pender

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Rod Peters (5th season)

Returning Starters: 5 (3 BR 2 LDNE)

Overview:

The Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Girls are hoping to be good this season after Lyons-Decatur Northeast made state last season and Bancroft-Rosalie was competitive at times during the 2015-2016 season.

Here is Rod Peters' possible starting lineup:

Lexie Bacon  5’5”  SR 2 Guard
Kelly Wakeley  5’8”  SR 2 Guard
Vicki Gatzemeyer 5’5” JR 2 Guard
Paige Peters 5’6” SO  Guard
Tiahna Bonneau 5’6” JR Forward
Tess Nottlemann 5’11” SR Forward

Bacon, Wakeley, Gatzemeyer, Bonneau, and Nottleman are returning starters.

Peters feels there are a number of newcomers who could make an impact, and they are as follows:

Kelcee Bacon  5’3 JR  Guard
Brandi Simonsen 5’2 SO Guard
Mariah Petersen 5’6’ JR Forward
Sophia Henneman 5’7” JR Guard
Justice Johnson 5’10 SR Forward

Peters feels this team can be very good this season.

"I am really excited about this year. I believe we have the chance to be very successful with who we have returning and with the help of some of the newcomers."

Peters adds the players have been getting along well so far.

"We did some team building this summer and so far things have gone very well. I look for that to continue and even improve."

Sometimes it's difficult for two old rivals to come together and play as one, but it appears BRLD is primed and ready to do good things in 2016-2017.

This team appears to have quite a few scorers and talented players so it will be important for everyone to be all in on the team concept, and pass the ball to one another, in my opinion.

I think teams will have a difficult time guarding these girls. I feel there are a lot of players who are capable of putting up big numbers scoring wise throughout the season.

I think this team's defense also has a chance to be really good this year. Both Bancroft-Rosalie and Lyons-Decatur Northeast were solid defensive teams last year.

Season Outlook:

The talent appears to be there for BRLD to be a factor this season.

Peters says the team has to buy into what they are being taught and asked to do.

"Girls accepting their role on this year’s team is going to be one of the keys to our success. That role for them might be different than it was last year. We are going to need girls that are not selfish. We have some girls that are very capable of shooting the ball so it will be very important that we find those girls on the floor. Another key to our success will be the attitude the girls have in practice."

I think it's important for the Wolverines to grow and improve everyday at practice. Consistent improvement throughout the season is going to be very important for this team, in my opinion.

Peters says running on offense and boxing out on defense will also be important.

"Some of the keys to our success will be our ability to push the ball up the court and rebounding. We do not have a lot of height so it will be very important that we have a team effort when it comes down to rebounding."

If memory serves me correct, last year's Lyons-Decatur Northeast team didn't have much height or depth, yet they found a way to make state so I think the Wolverines have a chance to be good this year.

BRLD has some difficult games in the early season, taking on the likes of Pender, Howells-Dodge, and Ponca. Emerson-Hubbard might also be good this year too.

There are a lot of winnable games in the early season too though so I think the Wolverines have a chance to give themselves some nice momentum heading into the Holiday Break.

After the break, BRLD has some tough games against Tekamah-Herman, Cedar Bluffs, West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig, Stanton, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, and Wisner-Pilger.

I feel there are quite a few challenging games on the schedule for the Wolverines this year, but I think BRLD is capable of rising up to these challenges and beating a good number of these teams.

I look for the Wolverines to win their fair share of games this season, and be in the mix to make a run come the postseason.

I also think BRLD can be a factor in their Holiday and Conference Tournaments.

The Wolverines are in Sub-District C2-4 with the likes of Ponca, Wakefield, Homer, and Omaha Nation.

I think the Indians are going to be a very good team this year, and it wouldn't surprise me to see the Sub-District come down to them and BRLD.

It should be a good season for the Wolverines.

BRLD opens the year up at Omaha Nation on December 1st.

2016-2017 Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Wolverines Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Omaha Nation
12/03/16 Homer
12/06/16 Emerson-Hubbard
12/09/16 @ Clarkson/Leigh
12/16/16 @ Howells-Dodge
12/20/16 Pender
12/22/16 Ponca
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) GACC Holiday Tour West Point
01/03/17 Cedar Bluffs
01/06/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/07/17 @ West Point-Beemer
01/13/17 @ Oakland-Craig
01/14/17 Mead
01/17/17 @ Wakefield
01/20/17 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
01/21/17 Stanton
01/24/17 @ Winnebago
01/27-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/17 @ Wisner-Pilger
02/10/17 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

Oakland-Craig Boys and Girls with high hopes in 2016-2017

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Aaron Meyer (152-140 career record)

2015-2016 record: 9-14 (lost to GACC in Sub Districts)

Returning Starters: 4

Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Boys look to be solid once again this season as they return four starters from last year's 9-14 team that put up a lot of points on the board.

Four starters return for Head Coach Aaron Meyer, and they are Carter Thiele (6’2 Sr guard 2 year starter), Garrett Seagren (6’2 Jr guard 2 year starter), Evan Reinert (6’2 Jr forward 1 year starter), and Zach Ahrens (6’2 Sr forward 2 year limited starter).

The 5th starter will be Kobe Benne (5’8 Jr guard transfer from GACC).

The good news for Oakland-Craig is they will have a veteran and experienced starting lineup.

These kids were juniors and sophomores last year, and now they are Seniors and Juniors. I look for that to make a big difference in the Knights' season this year.

Meyer says big losses are Cody Mace and Cole Mitchell - both 2-3 year starters.

So Oakland-Craig will have to make up for the loss of them.

Meyer says Benne is a newcomer who could make a big impact.

I agree with that completely.

Meyer says the team's offseason went OK.

"The offseason was very up and down. We played very well at the start of the summer. At the same time, we showed we still have some work to do."

There's a lot this team can get better at I'm sure.

Meyer says rebounding and team unity are two things that need to get better for the Knights to be good this year.

"We need 3 things to happen. We need to gel as a team. Make sacrifices for one another and feed off each other's success. The other thing is we need to toughen up defensively. We also need to be able to rebound the ball on both ends of the court."

I would say defense is the biggest key to Oakland-Craig's season. The Knights gave up over 50 points in 19 of their 23 games last season. That has to change if Oakland-Craig wants to win more games this season, and it can.

Season Outlook:

Oakland-Craig hopes to be a strong offensive and defensive team this year without a doubt.

Meyer says outside shooting shouldn't be an issue.

"We have quite a bit of potential on both ends of the floor. We have as much outside shooting ability as I’ve ever had as a coach."

That's good news for the Knights. Hopefully Oakland-Craig doesn't live and die by the three though. I would say working for good shots, getting easy lay ups, and getting to the free throw line are equally as important as shooting the ball well from the outside.

Meyer says he's excited about his team.

"Carter and Garrett should be 2 of the best combo guards in the area. It will also be fun to see how Kobe fits into the picture. We’d love to see Zach stay healthy and be able to play up to his potential his senior year."

Meyer adds avoiding the injury bug is also important.

"This team has the potential to be very good. We have to mesh, stay healthy, and play tough D."

The Knights figure to be challenged before Christmas with games against Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Boys Town, Howells-Dodge, GACC, and Wisner-Pilger all before the break hits.

The schedule is also tough after Christmas with games against Stanton, Winnebago, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, BRLD, North Bend Central, Mead, Fremont Bergan, and West Point-Beemer.

There doesn't appear to be many "gimme" games on the schedule this year so Oakland-Craig will need to find a way to bring it night in and night out to have success.

I think the Knights have a reason to feel optimistic though. I feel Oakland-Craig can win some games they didn't last year if they improve on the defensive end of the floor.

Oakland-Craig is in Sub-District C2-3 with the likes of Fremont Bergan, Yutan, and Omaha Brownell Talbot.

The Knights open up the season at Logan View/Scribner-Snyder on December 1st. in a game that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.

2016-2017 Oakland-Craig Knights Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
12/03/16 @ Boys Town
12/06/16 Clarkson/Leigh
12/09/16 @ Pender
12/10/16 @ Howells-Dodge
12/15/16 Wisner-Pilger
12/17/16 Madison
12/20/16 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic
12/22/16 Omaha Nation
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined)Malcolm Holiday Tournament Malcolm
01/06/17 @ Stanton
01/07/17 @ Winnebago
01/10/17 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
01/13/17 BRLD
01/17/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/20/17 @ North Bend Central
01/24/17 Mead
01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/17 Archbishop Bergan
02/10/17 @ West Point-Beemer

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Joe Anderson (4th season) (43-32 record)

2015-2016 record: 19-7 (lost to Hastings St. Cecilia in first round of State)

Returning Starters: 1

Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Girls hope to be good again this year after reaching state for the first time in school history a season ago.

1 starter returns for 4th year Head Coach Joe Anderson, and that is Dacey Nelson (5’7, So 2nd )(1st team All-Conference/2nd Team All-State). She is a dandy of a player I would say.

Shannon Pille (5’5, SR  2nd) (started as a sophomore), Melanie Snader (5’4, SR 2nd)  (started as a sophomore), Grace Maline  (5’6 , SR  1st ), and Emmy Bousquet  (5’5  SR  1st) will round out the starting five for the Knights.

Newcomers who Anderson feels could make an impact include Grace Pille (5’5, So. Guard), Natalia McNeill (5’6, So. Guard), and Kennedy Benne (5’6, FR Guard).

The Knights graduated a number of good players from last year though in Brynn Charling (all-conference 1st team), Baily Charling , Emma Reinert, and Olivia Bures so the returning players and newcomers will have to help make up for their loss.

Anderson says this year's team will look to run and play strong defense.

"Defensively we played man every possession last year. Defense is something that we take pride in. Offensively we want to get up and down the floor this year. We have good team speed and hope to create some points running the floor. "

Oakland-Craig will be quick and athletic, but when it comes to height, the Knights don't have any.

Anderson says his squad will have to work that much harder on defense to overcome that.

"We lack size, no player taller than 5-7. We will have to box out well, and learn to play great team defense to make up for it."

The Knights should be able to give other teams' guards fits from an offensive and defensive standpoint.

Anderson says he's got a few girls who can really play.

"Our guard play should be solid. Dacey is one of the best players in C-2. Shannon Pille will be a solid scorer and Melanie Snader is a very good shooter from the outside."

I look for outside shooting and perimeter defense to be strengths for Oakland-Craig this season. However, teams with size could pose the Knights some problems.

I think staying out of foul trouble will be key for Oakland-Craig. The Knights' star players can't afford to have to sit the bench due to foul trouble.

Oakland-Craig is going to need their best players and big guns in there at all times to have success similar to last year, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

The Knights figure to be a small, but very feisty, fast, and athletic team this season.

Anderson says his team will need to be efficient on both ends of the floor.

"We are going to have to be very good on the defensive end. We don’t have much height, so will rely a lot on our pressure and quickness. We will also have to become great shooters as we lack the inside presence this year."

I think being consistent shooting the ball will be really important for Oakland-Craig this season.

Anderson says he expects his players to compete and get better throughout the season.

"We have some good athletes that will be on the floor, so that should give us a good chance to be competitive each night. Our goal is to improve each week, so we are playing our best basketball at tournament time."

The Knights have difficult games against the likes of Pender, Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, Stanton, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, BRLD, Tekamah-Herman, North Bend Central, Mead, and West Point-Beemer.

I look for Oakland-Craig to do well early, and then it will be interesting to see what happens once the 2017 portion of the schedule hits.

I think the Knights will win their fair share of games throughout the season, but we will find out a lot about this team come January and February I think.

Oakland-Craig doesn't have an easy Sub-District as they are in Sub-District C2-3 with Yutan, Fremont Bergan, and Omaha Brownell Talbot.

The Knights weren't in an easy Sub-District last year either though, and did enough in the regular season to make state via wildcard, so perhaps Oakland-Craig can do that again this year, if not win the Sub-District.

The Knights open up the season at Logan View/Scribner-Snyder on December 1st in a game that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.

2016-2017 Oakland-Craig Knights Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
12/03/16 @ Boys Town
12/06/16 Clarkson/Leigh
12/09/16 @ Pender
12/10/16 @ Howells-Dodge
12/15/16 Wisner-Pilger
12/17/16 Madison
12/22/16 Omaha Nation
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) Malcolm Holiday Tournament Malcolm Public Schools
01/06/17 @ Stanton
01/07/17 @ Winnebago
01/10/17 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
01/13/17 BRLD
01/17/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/20/17 @ North Bend Central
01/24/17 Mead
01/27-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/17 Archbishop Bergan
02/10/17 @ West Point-Beemer

North Bend Central Boys and Girls eyeing success in 2016-2017

Team: North Bend Central

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Jon Baehr (4th season) (64-133 career record)

2015-2016 record: 22-3 (lost to Adams Central in the first round of state)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The North Bend Central Boys look to reload this year after running the table and making state a season ago.

4th year Head Coach Jon Baehr returns three starters in Tanner Wietfeld, Matt Ortmeier, and Jake Wietfeld.

Here is the complete projected starting lineup for the Tigers this season:

John Emanuel – 6’1 Sophomore Point Guard:  This will be his first year starting.

Tanner Wietfeld – 6’2 Sophomore Guard:  This will be his second year starting.

Matt Ortmeier – 6’3 Senior Guard:  This will be his fourth year as a starter.

Jake Wietfeld – 6’4 Senior Guard:  This will be his third year starting.

James Seymour – 6’6 Junior Post:  This will be his first year starting.

Height and size appear to be strengths for North Bend Central.

Baehr says there are still some holes to fill though due to last year's departing seniors.

"We lost 5 seniors who were all great parts of our team. We lost two point guards who were great defenders and great leaders in Dylan Emanuel and Nathan Boyce. We lost a 6’7 post in Hunter Oerman and then two guards who were three point threats for us in Jake Cleveringa and Gatlin Sindelar."

Baehr believes there are a couple of newcomers who will make an impact.

"I believe John Emanuel will do a great job of running the show for us this season as our point guard. Austin Endorf will be a freshmen that should be able to help us in come role this season as he is a nice shooter who has good overall ball skills and will fill with this group. We have a few others who I think could step up into a role as the year goes on."

Baehr adds that leadership and toughness are team strengths.

"I think from the physical standpoint our strengths will be our overall team length and athleticism. I also think this team is pretty mentally tough and will grind through the tough games with poise. I think maybe beyond anything else the current group of seniors have established what is expectable and what isn’t. Last I think this team by in large really just enjoys playing the game of basketball together."

Baehr says the team isn't without a couple of weaknesses though.

"I think our weaknesses would be our depth isn’t as experienced as I would like it to be. We will work on that and make it come together but that would be an area. The other is our outside shooting at times. We are going to be much improved I feel in that area, but it is still an area for us to work and grow."

I think the Tigers will have the ability to outmuscle, outhustle, and wear teams down.

Baehr says his team will look to run offensively and press and be multiple on defense.

"On offense we will to run a fairly up tempo fast paced style of offense. We will look to run hard in transition. In the half court setting we will look to run a motion style of offense that spreads the floor and allows us to drive and finish at the rim or allow for some inside out kicks for threes. We don’t run to many set plays. On defense we will look to press teams with various looks of presses and movements to put pressure on teams to make choices. In the half court we will be a man team by in large with a mix of some zone here and there."

I think North Bend Central has a chance to be as good as they were last year. This is an experienced team that knows and has seen what it takes to win, and that should help the Tigers in the tough, close games that they were able to win a year ago.

The difference this year, in my opinion, is North Bend Central won't be able to surprise any teams as teams will no doubt be gunning for the Tigers, but North Bend Central should still be able to win quite a few games this season.

Season Outlook:

North Bend Central would no doubt love to make it back-to-back trips to Lincoln.

Baehr says the biggest thing is getting better everyday.

"Our expectations are to simply go out and improve as individuals daily and by doing so improve as much as possible as a team. If we can go out and compete as hard as possible and do what we need to do to improve as a group then we should have a year people can talk about."

The Tigers won quite a few close games in 2015-2016, winning 6 games by 5 points or less.

But Baehr says the team isn't necessarily looking to copy last year's team.

"To make a run like last year won’t really be something we focus on as this year is a new group with a new mix of characters and a new set of things to work on. So overall we will just work like crazy to be the best we can and if we do that the rest will take care of itself."

With that said, Baehr says this season has a chance to be special.

"I feel this team has the ability to have a great year and a chance to make a lot of great memories and it is up to us to come out and work each day to improve and do things the correct way to get to that point. I am very excited to work with the group of kids I have and work toward achieving at a high level."

North Bend Central has some tough games right off the bat against Twin River, Stanton, and West Point-Beemer.

Other difficult contests throughout the year figure to be against Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Fremont Bergan, Columbus Scotus, Oakland-Craig, Howells-Dodge, and Fort Calhoun.

The schedule appears to be slightly tougher for the Tigers this season, but North Bend Central should still have a fine season and win their fair share of games.

I fully expect the Tigers to be a factor in the Conference Tournament and Postseason again.

North Bend Central is in Sub-District C1-5 with the likes of Columbus Scotus, Columbus Lakeview, David City, and David City Aquinas.

A wildcard is certainly possible for the Tigers again this year, but Winnebago or Columbus Scotus could also get one if both of those teams were to meet in a district final. Logan View/Scribner-Snyder could also be in the mix for a wildcard if they don't win their sub-district (same sub-district as Winnebago).

To me that means it will be important for North Bend Central to run the table again should they need a wildcard to get into the state tournament.

The Tigers open up the season at home on December 1st against Twin River.

2016-2017 North Bend Central Tigers Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 Twin River
12/03/16 @ David City
12/08/16 West Point-Beemer
12/13/16 @ Stanton
12/16/16 @ Pender
12/17/16 Schuyler
12/22/16 @ Raymond Central
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Holiday Tournament North Bend Central
01/03/17 Clarkson/Leigh
01/06/17 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/10/17 Arlington
01/14/17 @ Archbishop Bergan
01/17/17 Columbus Scotus
01/20/17 Oakland-Craig
01/24/17 @ Madison
01/26/17 Wisner-Pilger
01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/09/17 Howells-Dodge
02/10/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
02/17/17 @ Fort Calhoun

Team: North Bend Central

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Aaron Sterup (15th season) (237-78 career record)

2015-2016 record: 17-6 (lost to Columbus Scotus in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The North Bend Central Girls look to be successful again in 2016-2017 after winning 17 games in 2015-2016.

Head Coach Aaron Sterup returns three starters in Alexandria Humlicek (5’8, 12th, Wing, 2-year starter), Brooke Fredrickson (5’11, 11th, Post, 2-year starter), and Kristin Lux (6’1, 11th, Wing, 2-year starter).

The 4th starter will be Kaitlynn Bjorklund (5’6, 11th, PG) with the 5th spot up for grabs.

The Tigers return pretty much everybody from a season ago with the only senior who played significant minutes last year being Sabrina Adams.

There are a number of newcomers who could make an impact, according to Sterup, and they are Sophie Kluthe (5’11, 12th, Post), Hailey Bang (5’6, 11th, Wing), Megan Ortmeier (5’7, 9th, PG), and
Lauren Emanuel (6’1, 9th, Post).

North Bend Central should be even better this year than they were last year given who all they return and who comes in as freshmen.

The Tigers should be solid in the post game as well given all the height they have.

Sterup says this team has to score and take care of the ball to get where they want.

"We need to figure out how to score points consistently and turn the ball over less."

The Tigers certainly figured things out during the Volleyball season, making state in that sport.

Sterup says that only helps.

"Success is never a bad thing. It will hopefully give them a taste of what success looks like and can be something to build off of."

I think North Bend Central is capable of having a good season. The Tigers must find ways to score the ball though.

Making easy layups, getting to and converting at the free throw line, working for good shots, and making good, aggressive, and smart passes are all keys to success on the offensive end of the floor, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

The North Bend Central Girls were really close to making another district final last year, but came up a couple of points short.

Sterup says his team is capable of competing against anyone on the schedule.

"We hope to be competitive with all of the teams on our schedule. If we improve and play well, we will be in any game we play."

The Tigers have some tough games early on against Twin River, West Point-Beemer, Stanton, and Pender.

Other challenging games appear to be against Columbus Scotus, Oakland-Craig, Wisner-Pilger, Howells-Dodge, and Tekamah-Herman.

Sterup feels his squad can hang with any of these teams.

"If we improve and play hard, we will be able to compete with anyone we might play this year."

I completely agree with Sterup. I think North Bend Central will be in the majority of if not all of their games this year.

The Tigers' biggest defeats last year were two games by 12 points each so North Bend Central certainly knows and understands what it takes to compete on a nightly basis.

The Tigers are in Sub-District C1-5 with the likes of Columbus Lakeview, Columbus Scotus, David City Aquinas, and David City.

I think Scotus will be good, but I feel North Bend Central is primed and ready to advance to a district final this time around, and perhaps make state.

That's a long ways off yet, but the Tigers should put themselves in a good position to have success in the postseason if they have a good regular season.

I feel the sky is the limit with this team. I think North Bend Central is capable of accomplishing big things this season.

The Tigers open up the season at home on December 1st against Twin River.

2016-2017 North Bend Central Tigers Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 Twin River
12/03/16 @ David City
12/06/16 @ Schuyler
12/08/16 West Point-Beemer
12/13/16 @ Stanton
12/16/16 @ Pender
12/22/16 @ Raymond Central
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Invite North Bend
01/03/17 Clarkson/Leigh
01/06/17 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/10/17 Arlington
01/14/17 @ Archbishop Bergan
01/17/17 Columbus Scotus
01/20/17 Oakland-Craig
01/24/17 @ Madison
01/26/17 Wisner-Pilger
01/27-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/09/17 Howells-Dodge
02/10/17 @ Tekamah-Herman

Emerson-Hubbard Boys and Girls looking for strong seasons

Team: Emerson-Hubbard

Mascot: Pirates

Colors: Purple, Gold, and White

Class: D-1

Conference: Lewis and Clark

Head Coach: Alan Gottula (1st season)

2015-2016 record: 8-14 (lost to Walthill in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Emerson-Hubbard Pirates are under new leadership as veteran coach Alan Gottula takes over for Jeff Korus. Gottula was an assistant at the school last year, and has 37 years experience coaching high school athletics.

Here are three of the five projected starters:

Taylor Donner 5'9 Sr.
Joshua Sebade 5'11 Jr.
Jacob Kneifl 6'1 So.

Emerson-Hubbard will have to make up for the losses of Tyler Haberman, Tyler Emmons, and Austin Ostrand, who are key losses lost to graduation, according to Gottula.

Gottula says his team also has to find some depth.

"Although we bring back both leadership and experience, we will have to find two starters and begin building some depth. We are encouraged by our young talent and expect dramatic improvement as the season progresses."

Gottula adds the team will be multiple on offense and defense.

"We will run multiple offensive and defensive systems in an effort to put our athletes in a position to succeed."

I'm excited to see how good this Emerson-Hubbard team can be this year. I feel the Pirates are fortunate to have Gottula as their coach, and I think he can lead Emerson-Hubbard to big things this season.

Gottula says leadership and work ethic are team strengths while inexperience in a team weakness.

The biggest thing for the Pirates this season is to keep things positive, in my opinion.

Emerson-Hubbard has to come to practice everyday willing to learn and grow as a team.

I see the Pirates doing that, and having a respectable season.

Season Outlook:

Emerson-Hubbard hopes to be good in Gottula's first season.

Gottula says the Pirates have to control what they can control.

"Our focus is on playing with great effort, energy and enthusiasm, focusing on fundamentals, and teaching technique. We expect our athletes to play hard, get better and play together."

I think you will see that as the season progresses. I think Emerson-Hubbard is a team that will get better as the season goes along.

Gottula says his team is looking for better results this year over last.

"Our team played hard last season and has demonstrated the same competitive spirit in our pre-season practices. As we become more fundamentally sound and execute with precision, we expect dramatic improvement as the season progresses."

Gottula adds expectations are high.

"We expect to compete hard against a demanding schedule."

A schedule that includes the likes of Lutheran High Northeast, BRLD, Laurel Concord-Coleridge, Hartington-Newcastle, Ponca, Winnebago, Wynot, Randolph, Walthill, and Stanton.

There are some very challenging games on the schedule for Emerson-Hubbard this season.

To be the best you have to beat the best though, and I think the Pirates have a shot to turn a few heads this season.

Emerson-Hubbard has to work hard for good shots on offense, get to the free throw line, contest shots, box out, and rebound if they want to be successful, in my opinion.

The Pirates are in Sub-District D1-4 with the likes of Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Walthill, Pender, and Clarkson/Leigh.

Emerson-Hubbard opens up the season on December 2nd in the Northeast Nebraska Tip-Off Classic against Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk.

2016 2017 Emerson-Hubbard Pirates Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/02-12/03 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Tip Off Classic Lutheran High Northeast/GACC
12/06/16 @ BRLD
12/09/16 @ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
12/12/16 Hartington-Newcastle
12/16/16 @ Ponca
12/17/16 @ Winside
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) Madison Holiday Tournament Madison
01/05-01/07 (To Be Determined) Bob Clough Post Holiday Tournament Homer
01/10/17 Winnebago
01/14/17 Wynot
01/17/17 @ Homer
01/20/17 Wakefield
01/24/17 @ Pender
01/26/17 @ Allen
01/27-02/06 (To Be Determined) Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament TBA
02/07/17 @ Randolph
02/10/17 Walthill
02/17/17 Stanton

Team: Emerson-Hubbard

Mascot: Pirates

Colors: Purple, Gold, and White

Class: D-1

Conference: Lewis and Clark

Head Coach: Troy Haberman (3rd season) (85-52 record)

2015-2016 record: 28-1 (beat Howells-Dodge to win D-1 State Championship)

Returning Starters: None

Overview:

The Emerson-Hubbard Pirates are hoping to continue the success they had last year when they won it all.

No starters return for 3rd year Head Coach Troy Haberman though as Emerson-Hubbard graduated quite a bit of talent in Abby Drieling, Payton Blanke, Morgan Hansen, Ashley Bokemper, Kylie Belt, and Shelby Utech.

Here is Haberman's projected starting five for this year.

Skyler Miller   5’9” Senior New Starter
Caleigh Mackling   5’6” Senior New Starter
Emma Haberman   5’7         Junior New Starter
Melanie Gentrup   5’8         Sophomore New Starter

Courtney Bokemper 5’6” Sophomore New Starter

Haberman says there's a newcomer he expects to have an impact on defense.

"We have one Freshmen in Addison Mackling, who is very quick and a good defender. I expect her to do well in our press schemes."

Haberman adds his team will press and be multiple on offense.

"Pressing defense, with many open offensive sets, we lack a true post player this year so most of the girls are interchangeable."

Speed and scoring are team strengths, according to Haberman.

"Quickness and any of the 5 starters have the ability to score, not one or two people doing most of the scoring, it should be more spread out this year."

Haberman adds getting the ball up the floor could be a challenge.

"Ballhandling needs to be better and Coach Whitsel and I will be watching to see who can step up and make a difference, after most of these girls have been watching from the bench for quite some time."

I look for a lot of teams to press Emerson-Hubbard this year, and try and force the Pirates into committing turnovers and making mistakes.

I think it will be very critical for Emerson-Hubbard to handle the different presses and junk defenses that figure to be thrown their way.

I think that could be critical to the Pirates' success.

Haberman says scoring and staying out of foul trouble are also key.

"Depth and Foul trouble will be two things we will have to overcome to be successful. Also we need to be confident in our outside shots. "

Season Outlook:

Emerson-Hubbard still hopes to be good despite losing all the talent they did off of last year's state championship team.

Haberman says the Pirates will give it their all this season.

"Our team will play hard and compete every night, I don’t know how many wins that translates into but we will defend our state title, the conference title, and the district title to the best of our ability."

Emerson-Hubbard's schedule won't be a cakewalk by any means, but I feel the Pirates have a chance to do some good things this year despite who they all lost.

Emerson-Hubbard takes on difficult foes in BRLD, Hartington-Newcastle, Ponca, Winnebago, Wynot, Pender and Randolph, just to name a few.

Haberman says the Pirates have their work cut out for them.

"Conference wise I think Wynot and Ponca will be the teams to beat, followed by the other 15 teams who will be fairly equal. Pender, Clarkson-Leigh, and GACC are in our sub-district which will be extremely difficult, so we have to improve as the season goes along to make it out of that jungle."

Walthill is the other team in Emerson-Hubbard's Sub-District, which is D1-4 at Wisner-Pilger.

I think it will be important for Emerson-Hubbard to get better as the season progresses. I feel the Pirates are capable of improving from December to February or March, but the girls have to be dedicated to working hard in practice and in games.

I don't know if the wins will come the way they did last year, but I still expect Emerson-Hubbard to win their fair share of games.

A lot these girls sat on the bench last year and saw what it takes to be successful while the other girls were probably there to witness last year's state title run in some fashion.

The Pirates know what they need to do and what it's going to take to be successful this year so it will be interesting to see if Emerson-Hubbard can make it happen again this year.

The Pirates begin the season on December 1st in the Northeast Nebraska Tip-off Classic.

2016-2017 Emerson-Hubbard Pirates Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/01-12/03 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Tip-off Classic Lutheran High NE/Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Wisner-Pilger
12/06/16 @ BRLD
12/09/16 @ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
12/12/16 Hartington-Newcastle
12/16/16 @ Ponca C2
12/17/16 @ Winside D2
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) Madison Holiday Tournament Madison
01/05-01/07 (To Be Determined) Bob Clough Post Holiday Homer
01/10/17 Winnebago
01/14/17 Wynot
01/17/17 @ Homer
01/20/17 Wakefield
01/24/17 @ Pender
01/26/17 @ Allen
01/27-02/06 (To Be Determined) Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament TBA
02/07/17 @ Randolph
02/10/17 Walthill

West Point-Beemer Boys and Girls looking for big things in 2016-2017

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Cody Bobolz (2nd season)

2015-2016 record: 9-16 (lost to Fort Calhoun in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Boys are hoping to be good this season under 2nd year Head Coach Cody Bobolz.

The Cadets went 9-16 last year, and were relatively young.

West Point-Beemer returns two starters in the Streeter boys in Austin and Chase Streeter,

Here is the Cadets' projected starting lineup:

Ben Vander Griend- 5’10’ So. PG
Cole Hughes- 5’10” Jr. G
Blake Anderson- 6’4” So. G/F
Austin Streeter- 6’3” Jr. F
Chase Streeter- 6’4” Jr. F

Newcomers who could make an impact for West Point-Beemer include Tate Ernesti (6’4” Jr. G/F),
Hunter Pilakowski (5’9”- Jr. G), and Gavin Case (5’11”- Jr. G).

The Cadets will have to make up for the losses of Tate Toelle and Blake Schroedter,

Bobolz feels the experience the players gained last year will help them quite a bit this season.

"Many of these guys gained valuable experience a year ago as they were pressed into playing early. This team has great potential. It is a group that has continued to push themselves in the off-season and they are on the same page as far as what we want to accomplish. I think you are going to see much improvement over a year ago. "

I feel West Point-Beemer will be more successful this year than they were last year as well.

Bobolz says this team got better in the offseason.

"We had a good summer of work. Boys put a lot of work in individually and we saw strides made as a team through the various camps we played in and in our summer league. "

The Cadets are still young so imagine how good they are going to be in two years.

I could see a lack of senior leadership perhaps being an issue with this team, but I think the underclassmen will do fine and step up in that role.

I think West Point-Beemer has a chance to be much improved this year over last year.

Season Outlook:

West Point-Beemer is hoping to find a lot of success this year.

Bobolz discusses the keys to having a good season.

"One of our keys will be to find some depth. Need a couple guys off the bench to contribute. We also need to find consistency offensively be very opportunistic. Have to stop people and make every team work for every basket they get. Limit turnovers and value every possession."

One thing you can bet is the Cadets will work hard this season.

Bobolz says that is one thing he is looking forward to with this team.

"Looking forward to working with this group of kids every day. They create a great practice atmosphere and are focused on improving every day. Also looking forward to seeing this group grow and improve and seeing what they can accomplish."

West Point-Beemer has a challenging schedule this year so the Cadets are really going to need to play to their potential if they hope to be successful this season.

West Point-Beemer has what would appear to be difficult games against Omaha Roncalli, Stanton, North Bend Central, Fort Calhoun, Battle Creek, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Twin River, BRLD, Pierce, and Fremont Bergan, just to name some.

The Cadets have some difficult games this season, but I think West Point-Beemer can win some of the bigger games on the schedule, and has a good chance to take care of business against all the other teams they play in the regular season.

I feel the Cadets have a shot to get off to a faster start this season than last.

I also think West Point-Beemer can be competitive in the Wayne Holiday Tournament again, and can compete in the Conference Tournament.

Bobolz says his team has to learn how to win for these things to happen.

"In order for us to be a factor we have to find offensive consistency and develop an attitude of putting teams away when we have the opportunity. Take care of the little things on a consistent basis."

The Cadets are in Sub-District C1-7 with Madison, Norfolk Catholic, Pierce, and Wayne.

West Point-Beemer's season begins on December 1st at Arlington.

2016-2017 West Point-Beemer Cadets Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Arlington
12/03/16 Omaha Roncalli Catholic
12/06/16 @ Stanton
12/08/16 @ North Bend Central
12/13/16 Howells-Dodge
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Wayne Holiday Tournament Wayne State College/Wayne High School
01/03/17 @ Fort Calhoun
01/06/17 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/07/17 BRLD
01/10/17 @ Battle Creek
01/12/17 Schuyler
01/14/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/20/17 Twin River
01/21/17 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/24/17 Pierce
01/26/17 @ Wayne
01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/17 Madison
02/10/17 Oakland-Craig
02/17/17 @ Archbishop Bergan

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Craig Theis (3rd season) (46-9 record)

2015-2016 record: 22-5 (lost to Bishop Neumann in District Final)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Girls graduated a really talented class of seniors that included one of the most prolific players in school history in Amanda Hansen.

The Cadets will try and continue their winning ways under 3rd Year Head Coach Craig Theis though.

West Point-Beemer brings back two full-time starters in Makenna Weddle (5’7, 11, Power Forward, 1 ) and Bethany Anderson (6’0, 12, Center, 3). The other returning starter is Brittney Hinkel (5’6 11, Small Forward, 0), who started one game last season.

Here is the Cadets' projected starting lineup:

1. Katie Pilakowski 5’6, 11, Point Guard, 0
2. Andrea Hoffman- 5’5 10, Shooting Guard, 0
3. Brittney Hinkel- 5’6 11, Small Forward, 0
4. Makenna Weddle- 5’7, 11, Power Forward, 1
5. Bethany Anderson- 6’0, 12, Center, 3

West Point-Beemer graduated three really good scorers in Hansen, McKenzie Bruce, and Taylor Weddle.

Hoffman, Megan Groth (5’7, 11th, Shooting Guard), Brooke Haase (5’11, 10th, Post), Abbey Dale (5’4, 9th, Guard) (Sky is the limit for this young lady) Theis said, Nicole Mitzel (5’10, 11th, Post)
and Kendra Paasch (6’0, 10th, Post) are all newcomers Theis feels could have a big impact on the team.

Theis says the girls will have to play together if the team wants to have success this year.

"It is going to take a great TEAM EFFORT to build on the past 2 seasons of success. We will not have a 25 point scorer this year but we could have 3-4 girls get double digits in the same game. Scoring the basketball is a bit of a concern, because we lost a majority of our scoring from last year. However, we have had girls put up a lot of shots this summer. If we can score then we can compete with anyone in our area. Our defense and athleticism is a big strength."

I see scoring perhaps being an issue for the Cadets, at least early in the season, but I think West Point-Beemer is a team that will get better offensively as the season progresses.

Theis says the girls worked their tails off this past offseason.

"The girls put in a great amount of work this summer. As a team, they put up over 50,000 shots this summer. These girls also put a lot of work in the weight room this summer. We also played over 25 games this summer. All of these are going to help us have another good season. Many of these girls showed great improvement over the summer."

That's a lot of hard work and dedication. I think it has a good chance to pay off for the Cadets this year.

Season Outlook:

The West Point-Beemer Girls hope to build off the success of the past two years and have another solid campaign in 2016-2017.

Theis says he and the girls have high hopes for the season.

"I am looking forward to see how much these young ladies have improved from summer to now. These girls have seen a lot of success the past couple of years and they really want to show that they can continue this success this season. They want to be the 1st group in a while to capture a conference tournament championship and make it down to Lincoln. It should be a fun journey with this great group of girls."

It will be interesting to see how much winning the Cadets do this year. West Point-Beemer has had a lot of talent over the past couple of years, especially in Hansen, but I think the Cadets can prove they can be a good team without a player like Hansen.

She made West Point-Beemer go the last two years, but I think this year's team might prove to be better as a team whereas the last two years the Cadets were led more by a certain group of individuals or individual you could say.

Theis says this year's team has high expectations.

"The girls have set their goals very high again this year. They don’t want to come up short again in the district finals. These girls have had a great summer of work, and really want it. They also want to compete for a conference championship as well."

North Bend Central, Stanton, Howells-Dodge, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Oakland-Craig, and BRLD figure to be tough conference foes, but West Point-Beemer can't be counted out.

Theis is looking forward to the season.

"It is going to be a fun season! We have some experience coming back this year, but we have also lost a senior class will go down as one of the best at West Point-Beemer. This group of girls has vowed to not come up short again this year, and they are fully aware that many are saying that they can’t do it. They have used this as motivation this past summer and into the preseason. We are going to look to really pressure teams for 4 quarters and play at our high tempo. We will need a few young girls to come around so we can do this for 32 minutes a game.  Anderson is going to have to grow into a new role as a scorer. Makenna Weddle is without a question one of the best athletes in the area and we are also hoping to get her into a new role as a scorer. Our season will come down to making shots. I really like where we are defensively and athletically. We need to get our offense to catch up with these 2 strengths and we can have a great season."

Simply put, the season is going to come down to putting the ball in the hole.

Multiple girls need to step up every night for this team to have the type of success they are capable of.

The schedule isn't the easiest with tough games against Stanton, North Bend Central, Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, Fort Calhoun, BRLD, Tekamah-Herman, Twin River, Pierce, Wayne, and Oakland-Craig, among others.

These games are going to be tough without a doubt, and I think you might see the Cadets lose a few games early, but once the Holiday Tournament rolls around and West Point-Beemer gets into the 2017 portion of the schedule, look for the Cadets to get on a roll.

West Point-Beemer is in a tough Sub-District in Sub-District C1-7 with Norfolk Catholic, Pierce, Madison, and Wayne.

2016-2017 West Point-Beemer Cadets Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/01/16 @ Arlington
12/03/16 Omaha Roncalli Catholic
12/06/16 @ Stanton
12/08/16 @ North Bend Central
12/13/16 Howells-Dodge
12/20/16 @ Archbishop Bergan
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Wayne Holiday Tournament Wayne State College/Wayne High School
01/03/17 @ Fort Calhoun
01/06/17 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/07/17 BRLD
01/10/17 @ Battle Creek
01/12/17 Schuyler
01/14/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/20/17 Twin River
01/21/17 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/24/17 Pierce
01/26/17 @ Wayne
01/27-02/04 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/17 Madison
02/10/17 Oakland-Craig