Tekamah-Herman Boys hoping to be improved with more players out; Girls looking for big things

Team: Tekamah-Herman

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Purple, Vegas Gold

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Zach Rosenboom

2016-2017 record: 0-19 (lost to Fort Calhoun in Sub Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Tekamah-Herman Boys Basketball Team has more players out this year than last as the Tigers have 19 kids out for the team this season compared to 9 last year. Head Coach Zach Rosenboom on who returns. "Some returners that we have is Clay Beaumont. He's a 5'11, 6'0 Sophomore. We have Chauncey Rogers, 5'10 Sophomore, he'll be coming back. He played big minutes last year. Jordan Derra, who is a 5'9 Sophomore as well, he'll be coming back."

Newcomers include Seniors Mack Braniff (6'3) and Johnny Braniff (6'2), according to Rosenboom.

I think having more kids out this season will definitely help and benefit this team.

I don't know if the Tigers will win a lot of games this year, but I fully expect Tekamah-Herman to be more competitive than last season every time they take to the floor this season.

It has to be nice to be able to play a full JV Schedule and scrimmage against one another in practice.

Tekamah-Herman is young and inexperienced, but what they lack in talent they should make up for with hustle, heart, hard work, determination, and passion.

The Tigers are going to need to outwork and outhustle their opponents this season if they want to win, there's no other way to say it.

Tekamah-Herman has to want it more than the other team, and has to get the 50/50 balls and be willing to dive on the floor and sacrifice their bodies.

The Tigers have to be a strong rebounding team, and must look to push the ball up the floor on offense when they have the chance.

Execution will be big too I feel, and Tekamah-Herman has to make smart passes, be ready to shoot the ball, take good shots, convert easy layups, and get to the free throw line.

I think it will be critical for the Tigers to do the little things well and right.

Tekamah-Herman has to give an all out effort every time they take to the floor. The Tigers aren't the type of team that can afford to take a night off or even a play off for that matter.

Tekamah-Herman has to play with a tenacious toughness and intensity level this year to get this program back on track.

Season Outlook:

The Tekamah-Herman Boys Basketball Team looks to improve on last year's 0-19 record. Rosenboom says having more kids out for the team should allow the Tigers to be more competitive this season. "Yeah whether it turns into wins or losses I don't know. And just being able to have a full practice, go through some things, talk about some things, have some competitions between our own players during practice. Just a lot of positive things going our way."

Rosenboom says the team is young and inexperienced, but has been working hard in practice.

The Tigers only have two seniors on the team.

Tekamah-Herman appears to have winnable games against Stanton, Pender, Omaha Brownell Talbot, Clarkson/Leigh, and Madison.

There also figures to be a chance at wins in the Holiday and East Husker Conference Tournaments as well as Sub-Districts.

The Tigers are in Sub-District C1-4 with the likes of Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, West Point-Beemer, Arlington, and Fort Calhoun.

Very tough sub-district, but perhaps Tekamah-Herman can pick up some wins in the regular season and be playing their best basketball come postseason time.

Tekamah-Herman opens up the season on Thursday at home against Stanton.

I think that's a winnable game for the Tigers.

It should be a low scoring affair and a defensive struggle, and I look for Tekamah-Herman to compete well.

It's a new season and a new year for the Tigers, and Tekamah-Herman has to forget about last year and just focus on improving each day and try to win games this year.

The Tigers have a lot of tough games this year, but I think this season will be a good year of growth and development for these young players, and feel the season will lead to better things in the future for Tekamah-Herman.

I don't know how much winning the Tigers will do this year, but Tekamah-Herman should only get better as the year goes on, and who knows...they may spring a major upset at some point in the season.

2017-2018 Tekamah-Herman Tigers Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Stanton
12/01/17 @ Pender
12/08/17 Wisner-Pilger
12/09/17 Twin River
12/15/17 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
12/16/17 @ Arlington
12/21/17 Omaha Brownell Talbot
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Nebraska Wesleyan Holiday Tournament Nebraska Wesleyan
01/05/18 @ BRLD
01/06/18 @ Clarkson/Leigh
01/12/18 Madison
01/13/18 @ West Point-Beemer
01/16/18 @ Oakland-Craig
01/18/18 Fort Calhoun
01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 @ North Bend Central
02/16/18 @ Douglas County West

Team: Tekamah-Herman

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Purple, Vegas Gold

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: David Eriksen (1st season)

2016-2017 record: 5-18 (lost to Fort Calhoun in Sub Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Tekamah-Herman Girls Basketball Team returns a few key pieces from last season's 5-18 team. Head Coach David Eriksen. "This team returns 3 letterwinners from last year. And that was Senior Gabby Mercier (5'5, G), Senior Marin Jetensky (5'10 F), and Sophomore Jadyn Fleischman (6'0 SO)."

Eriksen says those three, along with Anna Wakehouse (5'8, SO G) and Ashley Bohannon (5'10, SR F), will start.

The Tigers lost 7 games by 10 points or less last year. Eriksen says the girls had a tremendous offseason. "15 of them combined for over 400 weightlifting days, so I was really, really impressed with that. And as far as open gyms and camps we combined for over 700. So the dedication and commitment level was there, and it was really exciting to see that."

The Tigers kick off their season on Thursday at home against Stanton.

Eriksen says players at all positions are looking good so far. "Been really impressed with our guard play and our post play the past couple weeks. I have Gabby Mercier and Anna Wakehouse, and they've really been competing well against each other. So if I can get them going early on, attacking, it should open some shots up for Marin Jetensky. And inside Jadyn and Ashley have been really pushing each other. So I'm anxious to see what we have for Thursday, and see where we're at."

The Tigers lost 50-36 at Stanton last year.

I look for Tekamah-Herman to give the Mustangs a great battle again this year.

I think Jetensky will have a big senior campaign, and I feel other players will feed off her success and find success themselves.

I think the Tigers will definitely be better and stronger than last year.

It should be a good bounce back year for Tekamah-Herman.

The Tigers should find a lot of success throughout the season.

I'm thinking Tekamah-Herman has a chance to win at least 10 games if not more.

Season Outlook:

The Tekamah-Herman Girls Basketball Team had a tough 2016-2017 campaign, but looks to be much improved under Eriksen.

The Tigers have what I consider to be very winnable games against Pender, Wisner-Pilger, DC West, Yutan, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Madison, and Omaha Mercy.

Tekamah-Herman has a lot of very winnable contests early, but will be challenged in the second half of the season.

The Tigers have to make the most of their light schedule to start, and pick up as many wins as possible.

If Tekamah-Herman can win a bunch of games early it could give them quite a bit of confidence heading into the second half of the season.

I look for the Tigers to be a factor in the Nebraska Wesleyan Holiday Tournament and East Husker Conference Tournaments, as well as Sub-Districts.

Tekamah-Herman is in Sub-District C1-4 with the likes of West Point-Beemer, Fort Calhoun, Arlington, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

I feel the Tigers have a shot to knock off at least a couple of these teams if not all but the Cadets.

West Point-Beemer is probably the early season favorite to win the Sub-District, but who knows what can happen once that time arrives.

Tekamah-Herman has to play hard, smart, and most importantly must have fun.

The team has to work together and make good, smart passes, be ready to shoot the ball, look for good shots, make easy lay ups, and convert at the free throw line.

The Tigers have to pressure and guard the ball tightly, box out and rebound well, and stay out of foul trouble if at all possible.

Tekamah-Herman has to outhustle and outwork their opponents if they want to be successful this year.

The Tigers also have to come to practice and games with a positive attitude and a willingness to grow and learn.

2017-2018 Tekamah-Herman Tigers Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Stanton
12/01/17 @ Pender
12/05/17 @ Douglas County West
12/08/17 Wisner-Pilger
12/09/17 Twin River
12/12/17 Yutan
12/15/17 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
12/16/17 @ Arlington
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Nebraska Wesleyan Holiday Tournament Nebraska Wesleyan
01/02/18 Omaha Roncalli Catholic
01/05/18 @ BRLD
01/06/18 @ Clarkson/Leigh
01/12/18 Madison
01/13/18 @ West Point-Beemer
01/16/18 @ Oakland-Craig
01/18/18 Fort Calhoun
01/19/18 Howells-Dodge
01/23/18 Omaha Mercy
01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 @ North Bend Central

BRLD Boys hoping to be successful this year; Girls looking to reload

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Cory Meyer (4th season) (54-24 record)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

The BRLD Boys Basketball Team returns 2 starters and a host of contributors from last year's 15-11 team. Head Coach Cory Meyer. "Returning Starters that we have from last year is Trent Gatewood (SR) and Kenyan Lovejoy (SR). And for those that helped contribute last year was also like Hunter Ferguson (SR), Nick Ronnfeldt (JR), Jaxon Johnson (SO), Michael Snyder (SR), Will Gatzemeyer (SO), did I say Darwin Snyder (SO)?"

The Wolverines are relatively young this season. 

Meyer says 28-29 kids are out for the team this year and that things are going well in year 2 of the Co-op so those are good signs.

I'm glad to see there's a lot of interest and participation again this year because the more players there are the more competitive practices and things of that sort tend to be with players fighting for playing time and stuff like that.

Gatewood and Lovejoy need to step up and be leaders and big contributors for BRLD.

The Wolverines need everyone to step up and contribute and understand and play their roles to the best of their ability.

BRLD has to get after things offensively and defensively, and run the floor, take good shots, convert easy lay ups in transition and in the half court offense, and get to the free throw line.

The Wolverines also must pressure the ball and play tight, in your face defense, put a hand in the shooter's face, and stay out of foul trouble.

BRLD has to come ready to work and play hard every time they take to the floor this season. 

This team may be young, but the Wolverines can't use youth as an excuse for not doing well.

BRLD has to embrace the mixture of young and older talent they have this season, and allow it to lead to success.

The Wolverines have to roll with the guys they have, and maximize and play up to their potential.

BRLD is definitely capable of having a successful campaign, but the Wolverines have to improve every time they take to the floor and keep getting better as the season progresses.

You either get better or worse throughout the season. You don't stay the same.

So knowing that BRLD has to bring it every time they take to the floor this season.

Season Outlook:

BRLD hopes to be good this year. Meyer says a lot of talented, younger players will see the floor for the Wolverines. "We're going to be playing quite a few young guys, and nice thing about them is that not just because they're young, but they have a lot of energy with them. And Basketball IQ's pretty high there. And I'm excited to have those younger guys play with the older guys, and it could be a really fun dynamic."

I think the Wolverines might need to rely on the veteran guys at the start of the season before the younger kids get acclimated.

It might take some time for BRLD's young guys to figure things out, but once they settle in and find their groove this team should take off.

The biggest thing for the Wolverines is playing within themselves. BRLD has to just play their game and not try and do too much.

Tough games on the schedule for the Wolverines appear to be against Omaha Nation, Howells-Dodge, defending State Champion Ponca, West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig, Mead, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Winnebago, Wisner-Pilger, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

I think BRLD will have an easy time beating the teams they're supposed to, but can the Wolverines knock off some of the tough teams on their schedule? I think that question remains to be seen.

If anything I think playing these tough teams will get these kids prepared for what lies ahead.

BRLD is in Sub-District C2-3 with Omaha Nation, Homer, Wakefield, and Oakland-Craig.

I think most of those teams are going to be good and solid so the Wolverines certainly don't appear to have an easy path to Lincoln.

The East Husker Conference appears to be really good again this year so it will be interesting to see if BRLD can make it to Columbus again.

I think the big thing for the Wolverines will be post play.

We know BRLD has the guard play, but BRLD graduated Cole Christoffersen down low so someone else will need to step up and emerge for the Wolverines.

I think BRLD will be very quick and athletic so the Wolverines need to utilize that and get out and run as much as possible I would say.

The Wolverines open up the season on November 30th at home against Omaha Nation. 

2017-2018 BRLD Wolverines Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Omaha Nation

12/02/17 @ Homer

12/05/17 @ Emerson-Hubbard

12/08/17 Clarkson/Leigh

12/15/17 Howells-Dodge

12/21/17 @ Ponca

12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) BRLD Tournament Lyons/Bancroft

01/02/18 @ Cedar Bluffs

01/05/18 Tekamah-Herman

01/06/18 West Point-Beemer

01/12/18 Oakland-Craig

01/13/18 @ Mead

01/16/18 Wakefield

01/19/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

01/20/18 @ Stanton

01/23/18 Winnebago

01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/06/18 Wisner-Pilger

02/09/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

02/16/18 @ Pender

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur

Mascot: Wolverines

Colors: UCLA Blue, Black, and Gold

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Rod Peters (6th season)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The BRLD Girls Basketball Team brings back 3 starters from last year's team that went 16-9. Head Coach Rod Peters. "Vicki Gatzemeyer (SR) returns. She's started since her freshman year. So she will be put in a spot where she is a major contributor for our team. Probably also being in a starting role is Tiahna Bonneau. She's another senior. At times she started last year. Someone who is maybe a little bit undersized in the post, but is extremely strong, and works extremely hard. Also looking at probably Paige Peters (5'6 JR) as another starter at a guard position. She's someone who started last year, came off the bench as a freshman, and as a sophomore started for us. So we look for her to do a major increase in her scoring than what she did last year."

Peters says others who could potentially start include Mariah Petersen (SR), Sophia Henneman (5'4, SR G), and Brandi Simonsen (JR PG).

Three huge losses for the Wolverines from last year are Kelley Wakeley, Lexie Bacon, and Tess Nottleman.

Wakeley and Bacon scored a lot for BRLD a season ago, and Nottleman was a good, physical post presence.

I look for Gatzemeyer and Peters to score quite a bit for the Wolverines this season, and for Bonneau to be tough in the post.

BRLD won't have a lot of height and is undersized at some positions so the Wolverines will need to work hard this year to have success, but then again that's with any year.

BRLD might have to work even harder this year than in the past though to make up for their lack of size.

While the Wolverines don't figure to be very big, they figure to be very fast and athletic.

Peters says his team will have to play fast, and I think it will be very important for BRLD to get out and run and push the tempo this season.

Paige Peters and Gatzemeyer are both very good and gifted athletes, and I look for both to have outstanding campaigns.

I think Petersen, Henneman, and Simonsen will make a big impact on this team too as will Bonneau.

Depth should once again be a strength for the Wolverines with 18 or 19 girls out for the team.

BRLD may struggle early due to some inexperience, but I look for the Wolverines to click and get things going by midseason.

Season Outlook:

BRLD looks to build off last year's 16-9 record.

The Wolverines have a lot of winnable games right off the bat, but tough games later on with Clarkson/Leigh, Howells-Dodge, Ponca, Cedar Bluffs, West Point-Beemer, Oakland-Craig, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Stanton, and Wisner-Pilger.

BRLD appears to have some tough games, but a lot of games that should be sure wins.

I think the Wolverines can do just as well as they did last year if not better.

BRLD may not be as dynamic and explosive offensively as they were last year, but look for the Wolverines to still be good on offense and stout on defense.

Teams that are tall and slow it down could potentially give BRLD some trouble, but I expect the Wolverines to get out and run and try and push the tempo against those teams.

BRLD has to try and make teams adapt and adjust to their fast style of play, and must control tempo of the game as much as possible.

The Wolverines have to get out and run, run, run as much as possible.

Making layups in transition and getting to the free throw line and converting there will be important I think.

Pressuring the ball, creating turnovers, and converting off steals will also be big for BRLD, in my opinion.

BRLD begins the year on November 30th at home against Omaha Nation. Peters says he expects a battle with the Chiefs. "He'll have a lot of talent out there. They'll be able to run the floor. They'll be good competition for us coming out of the gates there on Thursday."

The Wolverines knocked off Omaha Nation 79-36 on the road in last season's opener before beating the Chiefs 67-34 in Sub-Districts. 

Speaking of Sub-Districts...the Chiefs, Oakland-Craig, Homer, and Wakefield are in BRLD's Sub-District this year.

Oakland-Craig is without the services of Dacey Nelson this year due to a torn ACL in the summer so that could affect the Wolverines' regular season and potential postseason matchup with the Knights.

I think BRLD has a good chance to at least get to a District Final this season, but the other side of the Sub-District appears to be very tough with Stanton, Howells-Dodge, Battle Creek, Lutheran High Northeast, and Wisner-Pilger all in there, but State is never out of the question for any team.

2017-2018 BRLD Wolverines Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Omaha Nation

12/02/17 @ Homer

12/05/17 @ Emerson-Hubbard

12/08/17 Clarkson/Leigh

12/15/17 Howells-Dodge

12/19/17 @ Pender

12/21/17 @ Ponca

12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) BRLD Holiday Tour. Lyons/Bancroft

01/02/18 @ Cedar Bluffs

01/05/18 Tekamah-Herman

01/06/18 West Point-Beemer

01/12/18 Oakland-Craig

01/13/18 @ Mead

01/16/18 Wakefield

01/19/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

01/20/18 @ Stanton

01/23/18 Winnebago

01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/06/18 Wisner-Pilger

02/09/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

Howells-Dodge Boys looking to get back to winning ways; Girls looking to keep winning tradition going

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, Silver

Class: C-2

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Cole Fischer (6th season) (84-48 record)

2016-2017 record: 10-13 (lost to Battle Creek in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 4

Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Boys Basketball Team brings back 4 starters from last year's 10-13 team. Head Coach Cole Fischer. "Kind of our floor leader this year will be Connor Blum (6'2). He averaged about 12 points a game last year. He's going to be a senior this year. Everything will kind of run through him. Started since he was a freshman. Was kind of out the whole season as a sophomore with a knee injury, but we expect big things from him. Next will be Dax VanLengen (6'4, SR G/F), he's a 3-year starter as well. He played a little bit as a freshman, and he'll start this year and last year. Kade Hegemann... (5'11, JR G) he'll be a Junior, he's a nice little guard for us. One of our probably 3-point threats. And then in the middle holding us down will probably be Lane Hegemann. He's about 6'5 kid, bigger framed boy. He handles the boards pretty well."  

Fischer says Jordon Brichacek (5'11, SR G), Josh Brester (6'0, JR PG), Ryan Macholan (6'2, SR F), and Caden Jackson (6'2, JR G) are all battling for the 5th starting spot.

The talent and experience appears to be in place for the Jaguars to get back to form.

The Jaguars should have good depth and players stayed healthy during football season so that's a good sign.

Howells-Dodge had a great football season, and I look for the success the Jaguars had on the gridiron to carry over to Basketball.

Howells-Dodge has to work extremely hard in practice and in games everyday, and must take things one day and one game at a time.

The Jaguars have to remain humble, and focused on the ultimate goal, a trip to Lincoln.

This is a very proud program that has been to State in the past, and I look for Howells-Dodge to rediscover their form of 4-5 years ago, and make a lot of noise this season.

The Jaguars have to wake up everyday excited and motivated to play the game of basketball.

Howells-Dodge has to practice just as hard as they play in the game, and work on their game and craft as much as possible.

The Jaguars have to dream big, and go out and play for the towns of Howells and Dodge, and make their communities proud.

This is the Jaguars' chance to do something and get back to an elite level.

Howells-Dodge has to take the bull by the horns, and come ready to play great everyday.

The Jaguars can't be scared of or intimidated by anyone.

Howells-Dodge has to play their game and execute the game plan each and every time out, and maximize their potential.

Running the floor, converting easy lay ups, getting good, open looks at the basket, and getting to the free throw line will be important for this team I feel.

Pressuring the ball, creating turnovers, and staying out of foul trouble will be important as well I would say.

Season Outlook:

Howells-Dodge should be able to get back to an elite level this year I would think, and have better seasons than they've had the past two years.

The schedule isn't easy though. The Jaguars have tough games with Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Oakland-Craig, BRLD, and West Point-Beemer before Christmas, and Humphrey St. Francis, Wisner-Pilger, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, North Bend Central, and Lutheran High Northeast after the break.

These teams are good, but the Jaguars are capable of beating them by stepping up their game.

Howells-Dodge figures to be able to knock off a good chunk of these teams.

Howells-Dodge kicks off their season on November 30th at home against Pierce. Fischer says it should be a good battle. "I think it's going to be a pretty good game. I think we have little bit of an advantage being at home, but first game of the year still going to be a lot of mistakes probably on both ends, and I guess who can weather the storm, and knock down maybe some free throws here or there, handle some pressure. And I look for it to be a pretty solid game to start the year off."

The Bluejays took last year's contest 53-34 in Pierce. 

The Jaguars suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Battle Creek in Sub-Districts last year. Fischer says that's something his team hasn't forgotten. "Yeah that's kind of our motto this year is even throughout the summer is we return the 4 starters off that team, and that's going to kind of be our fuel throughout the year, is we were in control of that game the whole time, and we let it slip away. So if that doesn't fuel them through this year I think that's a pretty good reason to supply a little fire in us. And I think that's always going to be in the back of our mind. And hopefully that motivates us a little bit. At the same time you got to let it go, but a little extra motivation never hurts." 

The Jaguars lost 55-54 to the Braves in the final seconds.

That has to serve as fuel and motivation to have a great season. 

Howells-Dodge has to think of the pain they felt every time they take the floor this season.

The game has to serve as a reminder that no game is over until it is over.

The Jaguars have to give it their all at all times.

At no point can Howells-Dodge let up or be complacent or satisfied.

The Jaguars have to keep improving and getting better, and must keep wanting more.

Howells-Dodge is in Sub-District C2-4 with the likes of LHNE, Battle Creek, Stanton, and Wisner-Pilger.

It's a sub-district that is tough, but is up for grabs, in my opinion.

The East Husker Conference figures to be tough again this year too, but I think the Jaguars will compete well within the conference.

2017-2018 Howells-Dodge Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Pierce

12/01/17 @ Stanton

12/05/17 @ Aquinas Catholic

12/07/17 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family

12/09/17 @ Oakland-Craig

12/12/17 West Point-Beemer

12/15/17 @ BRLD

12/16/17 Clarkson/Leigh

12/21-12/22 (To Be Determined) Knight Holiday Classic Midland University

12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) BRLD Tournament Lyons/Bancroft

01/05/18 @ Humphrey St. Francis

01/06/18 Plainview

01/12/18 @ Wisner-Pilger

01/20/18 Pender

01/23/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/08/18 North Bend Central

02/09/18 @ Wakefield

02/16/18 @ Lutheran High Northeast

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, Silver

Class: C-2

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Scott Polacek (26th season) (366-193 record)

2016-2017 record: 25-3 (Won Class C-2 State Championship)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Girls Basketball Team returns a couple of key players from last year's State Championship Team. Head Coach Scott Polacek. "I know that we have two returning letterwinners. Erin Prusa (6'0) is our Junior Post, and Macey Kulhanek (5'5) is our Senior Guard. Those two will be starters. They had contributions in the State Tournament last year."

Other players vying for starting spots include Seniors Katelyn Steffensmeier (5'5, G) and Jordyn Brester 5'5, G), and Juniors Tonya Brester 5'8, G) and Jessi Brester (5'9, JR F). Polacek says Junior Grace Dvorak (5'8, C) should also contribute this season.

It will be interesting to see who gets the rest of the starting spots and who comes off the bench.

I wonder how much depth the Jaguars will have this year. It will be interesting to see if Howells-Dodge goes 9-10 deep or so, or if they just play like 7 girls.

The Jaguars have to build off the success they've had in recent years, and these new girls have to make their own name in Howells-Dodge Girls Basketball lore.

Things have been very competitive in practice, according to Polacek, with every girl fighting for a starting spot really wanting to start.

I think that competitive spirit and fire is only going to lead to big and great things for this team.

Offseason workouts are an expectation at Howells-Dodge, and the Jaguars don't mess around.

There's a reason why Howells-Dodge is a successful program year in and year out. They work hard and get the most out of one another.

Kulhanek and Prusa have to step up and be team leaders for the Jaguars.

They are Howells-Dodge's two most experienced players, and have to step up and lead this team by example.

Teamwork is going to be very important for the Jaguars throughout the course of the season, in my opinion.

Howells-Dodge has to set aside any personal feelings towards anyone else on the team, and play for the common good of the team.

A lot of people think this is going to be a rebuilding year for the Jaguars, but don't be surprised if Howells-Dodge overachieves.

The Jaguars are the defending Class C-2 State Champions for crying out loud. Come on now.

Season Outlook:

Howells-Dodge looks to continue the success they've had in recent years.

I think the Jaguars can definitely be good again, but Howells-Dodge lost an awful lot from last year.

Almost all of the Jaguars' games are tough this year so it will be interesting to see how Howells-Dodge stacks up against some of the best.

The Jaguars have to play with fire, passion, intensity, mental and physical toughness, grit, aggressiveness, and tenacity each and every time they take to the floor.

Howells-Dodge has to work the ball around the perimeter and get it inside to their post players for easy baskets.

Getting good open looks, getting to the free throw line, and converting close to the basket will be important for the Jaguars as well I would say.

Howells-Dodge also has to play tough, in your face defense, and must pressure the ball and create turnovers.

The Jaguars get their year started at home on November 30th against Pierce. Polacek says his team has their work cut out for them the first few contests. "Pierce, and we play them in Dodge the first night. They have a lot of their team coming back. They have a nice inside post. And then we have to go to Stanton the next night, who has been very successful these last couple of years, been a great Volleyball team. And then we have to go to David City Aquinas that next Tuesday so it is just stacked top to bottom right off the bat."

The Jaguars topped the Bluejays 68-49 on the road to open up last season.

It doesn't figure to be easy for Howells-Dodge to win games this year, but I think the Jaguars have a chance to surprise some people.

You don't win a State Championship for nothing.

Howells-Dodge has to bring the same kind of effort and attitude the teams of the past few years brought.

I think the teams of the past have laid a great foundation for success for Jaguar Girls Basketball, and now these girls have to go out there and live out what's been blueprinted for them.

Howells-Dodge knows what it's going to take to be successful I'm sure, and anything less than hard work doesn't figure to get the job done.

We will find out a lot about this Jaguar team in the early season I think.

I think it might take a little bit for Howells-Dodge to get things going, but the Jaguars should get stronger as the season progresses I would say.

2017-2018 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Pierce
12/01/17 @ Stanton
12/05/17 @ Aquinas Catholic
12/07/17 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
12/09/17 @ Oakland-Craig
12/12/17 West Point-Beemer
12/15/17 @ BRLD
12/16/17 Clarkson/Leigh
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) BRLD Holiday Tour. Lyons/Bancroft
01/05/18 @ Humphrey St. Francis
01/06/18 Plainview
01/09/18 Lutheran High Northeast
01/12/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/13/18 Columbus Scotus
01/19/18 @ Tekamah-Herman
01/20/18 Pender
01/23/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/08/18 North Bend Central

Clarkson/Leigh Boys hoping to be more competitive this year; Girls looking for breakout campaign

Team: Clarkson/Leigh

Mascot: Patriots

Colors: Red, Blue, Gray

Class: D-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Jeff Bachman (1st season)

2016-2017 record: 3-20 (lost to Walthill in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The Clarkson/Leigh Boys Basketball Team returns 3 starters from last year's 3-20 squad. 1st year Head Coach Jeff Bachman. "Anthony Bruhn was last year's team leading scorer. He averaged just over 10 a game. The small forward about 6'0, 6'1, is a very good driver to the hoop and a very good defensive player. He's very long limbed so he's kind of a half winger on the ball. He's going to be one of our captains. And another returning starter was Haden Held. He was the team's starting point guard last year. He averaged about 5, 5.5 a game. So he'll be doing most of the ball handling work for us. He's a very good set shooter. And then the other returning starter was Garrett Schroeder, who was a shooting guard. He averaged just under 7 points a game last year."

Others expected to contribute are include Jacob Gall (6'0, SR PF), Lance Paprocki (5'4, FR PG), and Tommy McEvoy (6'1, FR PF), who is out until at least mid-to-late January with an injury.

Bachman says the kids have been great to work with. "I am very excited for the challenges of this upcoming season. We have a great group of kids to work with, who are fun to be around and work very hard. We will find success as we learn to defend at a high level and execute in all aspects of the game."

I think there's a good mix of upper and underclassmen on this year's team that should allow the Patriots to compete at the highest level possible.

Clarkson/Leigh competed well much of the season last year, but couldn't quite get over the hump most nights.

The Patriots will look to keep things at slow pace, and play a half court offensive game.

It will probably take some time to win a lot of games, but I think Clarkson/Leigh will put a competitive team on the floor this season.

I'm interested to see how well the Patriots adapt to a new coach.

Bachman has been the assistant coach for the Clarkson/Leigh Girls the last 4 years, and was the Head Boys Coach at Loup County at one time as well, and he's a Leigh native, and he says things have gone well between him and the kids so that's a good sign.

The Patriots have to get pumped, psyched, jacked, and fired up every time they take the floor this season.

Clarkson/Leigh must play with a lot of purpose and must attack the basket at every opportunity.

Taking high percentage shots and getting to the free throw line will be critical for this team, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

Clarkson/Leigh hopes to be better this season. Bachman says this team prides itself on defense. "One of our biggest focuses is going to be here is we're going to be a great defensive team. That's one of the things we focused on in practice. We're going to try and play a physical style man-to-man defense. We want to be the best box out and rebounding team in the state, and that's something that we truly worked at to get good at."

The Patriots gave up 50 or more points 17 times last season.

Bachman added that scoring may not come easy for the Patriots this year, but they're really looking to get after things defensively.

You win championships by playing great defense, and great defense is something I think these kids can really hang their hat on.

Clarkson/Leigh has struggled to stop people in recent years, but I look for that to change this year and in the future.

There's a good mixture of tough and winnable games on the schedule for the Patriots.

Just looking at the schedule with the naked eye...I'd say there's at least 5 or 6 teams on the schedule Clarkson/Leigh should have a legit shot to beat.

And that's not including the Holiday Tournament, East Husker Conference Tournament, and Sub-Districts.

Walthill will probably be pretty tough to beat in Sub-Districts as will GACC probably, but I think the Patriots have a chance to do something in the postseason if they're on top of their game and playing their best basketball at that time.

Clarkson/Leigh opens up the season on December 1st at home against Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family. Bachman says his team figures to learn a lot about themselves facing a tough opponent like the Bulldogs."They got some big kids. They got some real athletic kids. Ashton Dohmen is a very good basketball player. So we're going to have a good challenge that first night here. It's going to be a good measuring stick for us right out of the gate to see where we're at. See if we're somebody who we can be towards the top of the conference here, or if we're a middle level team."

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family won 66-26 last year.

I really think there's a lot of potential and ability with this team. The Patriots have to go out every night believing they can win.

Clarkson/Leigh has to expect to win, and play with a winning mentality each and every time they take to the floor this season.

2017-2018 Clarkson/Leigh Patriots Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/01/17 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
12/02/17 @ Madison
12/05/17 Oakland-Craig
12/07/17 @ Winside
12/08/17 @ BRLD
12/14/17 @ Pender
12/16/17 @ Howells-Dodge
12/19/17 @ Yutan
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Shelby Holiday Tournament Shelby
01/06/18 Tekamah-Herman
01/12/18 @ Humphrey St. Francis
01/16/18 @ Elgin Public/Pope John
01/18/18 Twin River
01/19/18 Lutheran High Northeast
01/23/18 Wisner-Pilger
01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
02/08/18 Stanton
02/16/18 @ David City

Team: Clarkson/Leigh

Mascot: Patriots

Colors: Red, Blue, Gray

Class: D-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Matt Murren (5th season) (30-62 record)

2016-2017 record: 9-13 (lost to Pender in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 4

Overview:

A lot of hype and excitement surrounds the Clarkson/Leigh Girls Basketball Program this year. Head Coach Matt Murren says that's due to almost all of last year's team coming back. "Good thing is we only lost one senior off last year's squad. And we've pretty much returned everybody else. So we're looking here we've got 4 starters back. A couple of kids off the bench that were in our rotation. So we've got quite a few kids back, which is very exciting. A lot of them have starting experience, varsity experience."

Returners include 5'4 Junior Point Guard Kaegan Held, 5'9 Sophomore Guard Ashlynn Novotny, Junior Guard Halee Steffensmeier, Juniors Beth Wiese (5'8 F), Sara McEvoy (5'6 F), Paige Moore (5'8 F), and Sophomore Kim Stodola (5'7 F) off the bench.

Murren adds his squad will look to be better on offense. "The Patriots have an opportunity to be a very successful team this season as they return 7 players in their rotation. Most of the rotation has started or played significant minutes since their freshman season so varsity experience for this group is a positive. Will look to apply full court pressure that will lead to a transition offense creating points. Guard play with Held, Novotny, and Steffensmeier will allow the Patriots to have options to push the ball. Although lacking height, Moore, Wiese, Stodola, and McEvoy are all capable of scoring around from post positions. Shooting has been an emphasis for the Patriots, who look to continue to improve in that area."

Scoring was an issue for the Patriots last year as Clarkson/Leigh eclipsed the 50-point plateau just 4 times.

The good news about that is the Patriots are already a solid defensive team so a lot of the emphasis and practice can be on offense.

The more these girls shoot and believe in themselves, the more successful they will be.

They can't be afraid to put the ball up if they're open.

Clarkson/Leigh has to shoot with confidence whenever they release the ball this season.

You won't win a lot of games not putting the ball in the hole, but if the Patriots can discover themselves offensively they should have a great season.

This team knocked off Twin River and Stanton last year, and went to state in Volleyball, so it's not like they're strangers to knocking off giants and having success.

Clarkson/Leigh has to go right at it with the tough teams on their schedule, and attack the basket relentlessly against them.

The Patriots have to take the fight to everyone on their schedule, and be the aggressor on offense and defense.

Season Outlook:

Clarkson/Leigh figures to be among the top teams in the East Husker Conference this year given the amount of talent they return. Murren says he's excited to see how his team fares in conference play. "We hope as a coaching staff and we see ourselves as being one of those teams that could compete. We'd like to try to make some noise in the East Husker Conference, and see what we can do when it comes tourney time there towards the end of January, beginning of February, and see what could happen then."

Murren says beating Twin River and Stanton last year, and making State in Volleyball, has built their confidence.

I really like how the Patriots' schedule sets up this year.

I think Clarkson/Leigh has a great chance to run the table, and win anywhere from 15-20 games in the regular season.

I think the Patriots will have similar success to what they had in Volleyball.

It should be a great season for Clarkson/Leigh.

Clarkson/Leigh figures to be tested in Friday, December 1st's opener against Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family though. Murren says the game is a big opportunity for his program, who plays a lot of games early. "We have that busy beginning of December. We play 9 games there in 19 days so it's a very busy time. And we have Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family to start. And it's going to be a game where our kids can gain some confidence if we can come out and do some good things. They've got some height with the (Allanah) Beller girl, they've got some speed with the (Brittney) Veik girl. And it's one of those games where we hope that we will be ready to rock and roll. And the kids will be excited. The home opener is always a lot of fun. And if we can start ourselves on the right foot right away it will be great for us to get on that path. And we hope we're able to do that."


The Patriots fell 48-34 to the Bulldogs last season.

I look for this year's game to be much closer.

I think Clarkson/Leigh can definitely win, but it won't be easy.

Coming off a long Volleyball season complicates things too.

The thing the Patriots have to remember though is it's a long season, and so one loss, one defeat, isn't the end of the world, and can't result in numerous others.

Clarkson/Leigh must have a quick memory after every loss, and must enjoy the wins when they get them, which I think will be often this year.

The Patriots are in Sub-District D1-4 with GACC, Pender, and Walthill so it will be interesting to see what happens there with that sub-district.

There's a long ways to go before that though. For right now, Clarkson/Leigh should focus on winning games and having a great regular season.

Season Outlook:

12/01/17 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
12/02/17 @ Madison
12/05/17 Oakland-Craig
12/07/17 @ Winside
12/08/17 @ BRLD
12/12/17 @ David City
12/14/17 @ Pender
12/16/17 @ Howells-Dodge
12/19/17 @ Yutan
12/28-12/29 (To Be Determined) Shelby Holiday Tournament Shelby
01/06/18 Tekamah-Herman
01/12/18 @ Humphrey St. Francis
01/16/18 @ Elgin Public/Pope John
01/18/18 Twin River
01/19/18 Lutheran High Northeast
01/23/18 Wisner-Pilger
01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
02/08/18 Stanton

West Point-Beemer Boys and Girls Basketball Teams looking to have gigantic seasons

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Cody Bobolz (3rd season) (21-30 record)

2016-2017 record: 12-14 (lost to Wayne in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 5

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Boys Basketball Team brings back all 5 starters from last year's 12-14 team. 3rd Year Head Coach Cody Bobolz. "Yeah as far as the point guard spot Ben Vander Griend (6'0), Junior, really solidfied that role for us last year. And had an excellent summer, and we're looking for him to have a big year. Blake Anderson (6'4, JR), he'll play one of the guard spots for us and maybe some post. He's got versatility with his size. And he's a returning letterwinner for us as well. Cole Hughes (6'0), another kid, he's a senior, will play a guard spot as well, and lettered last year. Austin Streeter (6'3), two-year letterwinner, senior year this year, will play mostly in the post area. Chase Streeter (6'4, SR), two-year letterwinner as well. And he'll play a lot of post. And both Austin and Chase had good years last year, and we'll look for them to have excellent senior campaigns." 

Bobolz says other contributors will be Tate Ernesti (6'6, SR G/F), Hunter Pilakowksi 5'10, SR G), Gavin Case (6'1, SR G), and foreign exchange student Alessandro Gianella (6'5, SR F).

West Point-Beemer looks for big things this year. Bobolz says the success the Cadets had in Football should carry over to Basketball. "Yeah no doubt about it. I don't think there's any doubt that we would say that having success there in the fall with a lot of the same kids, there should be some carry over. And like I said, that sense of confidence that these kids have. And just that winning mentality is huge. And that's something we wanted to establish. And I think these kids really taste it, and they want more of it. So hopefully we see that as the basketball season goes on."

I think the Cadets have what it takes to have a great season. West Point-Beemer should be a matchup nightmare for a lot of teams given how big they are.

It will be interesting to see how much speed the Cadets have, but West Point-Beemer should make up for any weaknesses they might have with heart, hustle, passion, determination, mental and physical toughness, tenacity, fire and grit.

I look for the Cadets to be a very hard working bunch that brings it night in and night out.

I think the success West Point-Beemer had in Football will carry over to Basketball.

The Cadets now know what it's like to win, and I look for West Point-Beemer to take the experience of the football season and translate and carry it over into wins on the hardwood.

I don't think there's any doubt the Cadets have the potential to be very good this year.

It should be a fun ride and season for the boys from West Point-Beemer.

I would say this will be the best team the Cadets have had in Bobolz' time at the helm of the program.

Expectations couldn't be any higher, and West Point-Beemer has to get it going this season.

Season Outlook:

West Point-Beemer looks to have a big year. Bobolz says the Cadets have the potential to be really good." Really excited to get things going this season. We have a very experienced group returning as these guys have played a lot of basketball together. We need some guys to really step for us and provide us with some more scoring depth throughout the season. We think our size should be a real advantage for us on both ends of the floor, and should help us create some match-up issues. We have a great, close-knit group of kids who all have high expectations going into this season."

West Point-Beemer has tough games against Omaha Roncalli, North Bend Central, Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, BRLD, Battle Creek, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Pierce, Wayne, Oakland-Craig, and Fremont Bergan.

The schedule is pretty difficult for the Cadets, especially in the second half of the season.

There aren't a ton of gimme and easy games on the schedule so West Point-Beemer has to be ready to play each and every time they take the floor.

West Point-Beemer is in a tough sub-district with the likes of Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Arlington, Fort Calhoun, and Tekamah-Herman.

The Cadets get their season started on November 30th at home against Arlington in a game that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull. Bobolz says it's a matchup of size versus speed. "They're pretty quick, they're really guard oriented. We're going to be big. I would be hard pressed to find a team around the area that's pry going to be bigger than we are. So that's going to kind of be a game where we're going to look for our advantages inside, and they're pry going to look to take advantage of their quickness against our taller guys. And typically every year we have fantastic games with them. We respect their program and what they do. They've had a lot of success. Last year they ended on a real hot streak, and was really tough to beat when it came to the postseason."

The Cadets earned a 44-37 win over the Eagles last year.

This will be a tough game and a good first challenge for West Point-Beemer I feel.

I think the Cadets will find a way to grind out a good, hard fought, close win, but it won't be easy.

West Point-Beemer has to assert themselves offensively and play strong defense.

The Cadets must have the same mentality heading into this game that they had when they took on the Eagles in Football.

A lot is expected of West Point-Beemer this season, and the Cadets have to step up and answer the bell.

2017-2018 West Point-Beemer Cadets Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Arlington

12/02/17 @ Omaha Roncalli Catholic

12/05/17 Stanton

12/07/17 North Bend Central

12/12/17 @ Howells-Dodge

12/21/17 Fort Calhoun

12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Wayne Holiday Tournament Wayne State College

01/05/18 Wisner-Pilger

01/06/18 @ BRLD

01/09/18 @ Battle Creek

01/11/18 @ Schuyler

01/13/18 Tekamah-Herman

01/19/18 @ Twin River

01/20/18 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

01/23/18 @ Pierce

01/25/18 Wayne

01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/06/18 @ Madison

02/09/18 Oakland-Craig

02/16/18 Archbishop Bergan

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red, Black, and White

Class: C-1

Conference:  East Husker

Head Coach: Craig Theis (4th season) (54-27 record)

2016-2017 record: 8-17 (lost to Wayne in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: 4

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Girls Basketball Team returns all but one starter from last year's 8-17 Team. 4th year Head Coach Craig Theis says expectations are very high this year given all what the Cadets return. "Oh absolutely. I was telling the girls the other day we lost 17 games. Of course it doesn't sound great, but we lost all those games by an average of 3 points when you add them all up, which is kind of incredible. And I think we have 75% of our scoring coming back this year. Yeah we did lose a good senior in Bethany Anderson, but we got a really nice group of seniors and juniors that have put a lot of work in. And we got a nice younger group of kids coming in that's going to make competition really, really good."  

Key returners include Brittney Hinkel (5'7, SR G), Makenna Weddle (5'6, SR F), Katie Pilakowski (5'5, SR G), Nicole Mitzel 5'7, SR PF), Megan Groth (5'8, SR G), Brooke Haase (5'11, JR C), Abbey Dale 5'4, SO G), and Andrea Hoffman (5'5, JR G). 

West Point-Beemer looks to get back to their winning ways after going through a rebuilding year last year. Theis says the girls had a great summer. "Yeah absolutely. I think we tallied up the girls this summer made about 50,000 shots made. They kept track, and they played about 30 games this summer. And some girls played AAU ball. And man just physically that group from the junior year to their senior and the sophomores and juniors and freshmen and sophomore. It's just you can really tell they spent a lot of time in the weightroom."

Theis says he hopes the girls can carry over the success they had in Volleyball to Basketball.

I think all the hard work the Cadets put in this offseason will pay off in a big way.

I feel West Point-Beemer has all the tools in place and the work ethic to have a fantastic year.

The Cadets have to keep working hard throughout the season in practice and in games, and never take a play off though.

From what Assistant Coach Mike Waak told me West Point-Beemer had a big summer, and I think that will pay off in a big way for the Cadets this year.

West Point-Beemer did a lot of winning over the summer, and has had good practices so far, according to Theis, so now it's a matter of turning all that good play into wins this season.

I think the Cadets have a great chance to get back to form and be the type of team they were in Theis's first two years as Head Coach.

I feel a lot of the close games West Point-Beemer lost last year will be close wins this year.

Season Outlook:

West Point-Beemer hopes to get back to the form of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons.

The schedule is tough though as the Cadets have difficult contests with Omaha Roncalli, Stanton, North Bend Central, Howells-Dodge, Fort Calhoun, and Fremont Bergan before Christmas, and challenging contests with Wisner-Pilger, BRLD, Battle Creek, Tekamah-Herman, Pierce, Wayne, and Oakland-Craig in the second half of the season.

I think the Cadets have a good chance to win a lot of these games though as I feel West Point-Beemer will be well equipped to take down a number of these teams.

The East Husker Conference Tournament should be interesting, and I think the Cadets have an opportunity to do something in that.

West Point-Beemer is in Sub-District C1-4 with Fort Calhoun, Tekamah-Herman, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Arlington.

The Cadets should be favored to win that Sub-District, but then Wahoo Neumann or Wahoo await on the other side perhaps.

I think it's going to come down to West Point-Beemer having to knock off one of the Wahoo Schools to make state.

The Cadets can definitely take either down, but it won't be easy.

West Point-Beemer opens up the season on November 30th at home against Arlington in a game that will be heard on 107.9 the Bull. "Yeah. They kind of have a crew a little bit like our crew where they got a lot of starters back. I don't know if they lost anybody off the top of my head, and really good athletes. We put together a really good game plan last year, and the girls did a good job of going out that first game and really getting a quality win on the road there at Arlington. Now they come to our place. Last year, we won that first one and lost about 8 or 9 in a row, and got to get off to a good start, have to get off to a good start," Theis said.

The Cadets won last year's game 54-23.

The first half of the season appears to be fairly challenging for West Point-Beemer, but I think the Cadets can head into Christmas at worst 5-2.

There are some good teams on the schedule prior to the Holiday Tournament so West Point-Beemer has to be ready to lay the smackdown from the start.

The Cadets have to bring it night in and night out, and play without hesitation or regard for human life.

West Point-Beemer has to be ready to go toe to toe with the giants on their schedule, and must be prepared to beat them.

The Cadets also have to beat the teams they're supposed to, and cannot take anyone lightly.

2017-2018 West Point-Beemer Cadets Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 Arlington

12/02/17 @ Omaha Roncalli Catholic

12/05/17 Stanton

12/07/17 North Bend Central

12/12/17 @ Howells-Dodge

12/19/17 Archbishop Bergan

12/21/17 Fort Calhoun

12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Wayne Holiday Tournament Wayne State College

01/05/18 Wisner-Pilger

01/06/18 @ BRLD

01/09/18 @ Battle Creek

01/11/18 @ Schuyler

01/13/18 Tekamah-Herman

01/19/18 @ Twin River

01/20/18 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder

01/23/18 @ Pierce

01/25/18 Wayne

01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD

02/06/18 @ Madison

02/09/18 Oakland-Craig

North Bend Central Boys and Girls aiming for great seasons

Team: North Bend Central

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Jon Baehr (5th season) (83-138 career record)

2016-2017 record: 19-5 (lost to Columbus Scotus in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The North Bend Central Boys Basketball Team returns some good talent from last year's 19-5 squad. Head Coach Jon Baehr. "As far as returning starters...Tanner Wietfeld (6'2, JR SG/PG) started for us last year, he is back. John Emanuel (6'2 JR) started for us last year as a Sophomore as well, he is back. James Seymour is a Senior Post for us, and he started last year. And then Austin Endorf (JR SG), who played a lot for us off the bench and started a couple games for us here and there. He's back as a Sophomore. Peter Emanuel, who's a Senior for us, he was a bench player for us last year. He's going to help us out."

Others likely to contribute are Chase Ruzicka, Ben Rolenc (6'4, JR C/PF), and Freshman Jaxon Wietfeld.

It appears the Tigers return some quality players from last year's team. North Bend Central should have a good mixture of upperclassmen and underclassmen who are very talented.

I think that combination will allow the younger players to push the older players in practice and make this team stronger.

I look for all players to grow and improve as the season progresses.

North Bend Central appears to have some good height and speed, and that should allow them to get out in transition and score quite a bit from the inside and out.

Boxing out and rebounding will be critical for the Tigers I feel. Shooting well by finding good, open looks at the basket, and contesting shots will be key for North Bend Central as well I feel.

I really think the Tigers have a shot to get back to state this year after making it two years ago.

You never want to get too ahead of yourself, but I feel there's a lot of potential in this North Bend Central Team.

The Tigers have to push the tempo all season long and play fast, and force teams to adjust to their style of play.

I look for Seymour and Rolenc to play a key role in the post and for Tanner Wietfeld, John Emanuel, Endorf, and Peter Emanuel to do big things.

I think the leadership and experience of this North Bend Central squad will get the Tigers over the hump this season.

Season Outlook:

North Bend Central looks to continue the success they've had in recent years. Baehr looks for big things from his team on both ends of the court. "I think this year we should be able to spread the floor and maybe shoot it at a higher percentage than we've shot it in the past. I think we'll push the ball harder than we've pushed it in the past. I think with the length that we have from our players, and the athletic ability from the guys that will be on the floor, I think and feel pretty confident that we can be a really tough defensive team. We can really guard people I believe."

The Tigers scored over 50 points in every one of their wins last year and held opponents to under 50 points in 15 of their games.

That's a great accomplishment, and I think North Bend Central has a chance to do that again, and perhaps improve those defensive numbers.

The Tigers have challenging games against Twin River, Parkview Christian, Milford, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Arlington, Wayne, Fremont Bergan, Columbus Scotus, Oakland-Craig, Wisner-Pilger, and Howells-Dodge.

The schedule is very difficult for North Bend Central this year, but that should help prepare the Tigers for the postseason.

With that said, North Bend Central has to be ready to bring it night in and night out and can't take a night off.

The schedule is tough enough where the Tigers could earn a wildcard to state should they need it, but that might not be necessary.

North Bend Central has Columbus Scotus, Columbus Lakeview, David City Aquinas, and David City in their sub-district.

I like the Tigers to win that sub-district, advance to a District Final, and make state.

I really like the makeup of this North Bend Central team, and feel they will have a season to remember.

North Bend Central opens up the season on November 30th at Twin River. Baehr says the Titans are well coached by Tod Heier. "His teams are always very disciplined. They play within themselves. He does a nice job of training his players to just be very fundamentally sound. And going there is a tough place to play so it'll obviously be a challenge right out of the box for us to come out and try to establish what we want to be about, and what we want to make our season about. And it'll be first chance to do it."

The Tigers knocked off Twin River 68-48 at home last season.

I look for North Bend Central to get off to a good start by beating the Titans again.

The Tigers should also be a favorite to win the East Husker Conference Tournament again.


2017-2018 North Bend Central Tigers Boys Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 @ Twin River
12/05/17 Schuyler
12/07/17 @ West Point-Beemer
12/12/17 Stanton
12/16/17 Parkview Christian
12/21/17 Raymond Central
12/22/17 @ Milford
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Central Holiday Tournament North Bend Central
01/05/18 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/09/18 @ Arlington
01/11/18 @ Wayne
01/13/18 Archbishop Bergan
01/16/18 @ Columbus Scotus
01/19/18 @ Oakland-Craig
01/23/18 Madison
01/25/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/27-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 Tekamah-Herman
02/08/18 @ Howells-Dodge
02/16/18 Fort Calhoun

Team: North Bend Central

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-1

Conference: East Husker

Head Coach: Aaron Sterup (16th season) (254-84 career record)

2016-2017 record: 17-6 (lost to Columbus Scotus in Sub-District Final)

Returning Starters: 4


Overview:

The North Bend Central Girls Basketball Team returns 4 starters from last year's 17-6 team. Head Coach Aaron Sterup. "We have 4 seniors who started last year at some point or another. Kristin Lux (SR, SF), Brooke Fredrickson (SR, C), Hailey Bang, and Kaitlynn Bjorklund. They'll be right in the mix there I'm sure whether they start or not who knows."

Others likely to contribute for the Tigers this season are Sophomores Lauren Emanuel and Megan Ortmeier.

North Bend Central is looking to break through and make state this year. Sterup thinks the success the Volleyball Team had can carry over to basketball. "Oh we feel pretty good about it. It's always tough. Those Volleyball and Basketball seasons run so close together that you worry about girls who've played that long getting worn down and things like that. So we're trying to work with that a little bit. But on the other hand usually basketball success and volleyball success go hand in hand. You have a lot of the same people. If they're good athletes they're good athletes in whatever they do."

I think scoring is going to be a big thing for North Bend Central this year.

The Tigers have to be confident shooting the ball and have to look and work for good, open shots.

I look for Fredrickson and Lux to have really nice seasons.

Fredrickson is a great post player and Lux is a great 3 player.

Handling the ball could be a little interesting with the loss of Alex Humlicek, but I think North Bend Central will be just fine.

Sterup says his team will go about 8 or 9 deep so the Tigers have some good depth, and that should help them this season I would think.

It will be interesting to see what effect a long Volleyball season has on the Tigers this year.

It hurt North Bend Central at the start of last year perhaps, but the Tigers caught fire towards the end of the season.

I think North Bend Central has a lot of potential to be really good this year given how much experience they bring back.

The road to Lincoln is a very tough one though.

The Tigers are going to need to be on top of their game night in and night out to give themselves a good chance to make state I would say.

Season Outlook:

North Bend Central had the same record and lost to the same team at the same exact level of postseason play last year and the year before.

The Tigers are going to need to play at an extremely high level to get through their Sub-District and Districts, in my opinion.

Tough games on the slate for North Bend Central this year include West Point-Beemer, Stanton, Wayne, Fremont Bergan, Columbus Scotus, Oakland-Craig, Wisner-Pilger, Howells-Dodge, and Fort Calhoun.

The Tigers won the East Husker Conference Tournament last year, and I think if North Bend Central can get hot at the end of the season again and sustain a high level of play into the postseason, then they can definitely do some postseason damage.

The Tigers have to believe in one another, be mentally and physically tough, go hard at all times, play up to their potential, set goals and dreams for themselves both individually and as a team, and play with passion, tenacity, and fire.

North Bend Central has their season opener on November 30th at Twin River. Sterup says it's always a good battle when the two teams get together. "They're always well prepared. It's a tough first game for us. We've kind of gone back and forth the last four years. They've beaten us a couple times and we've beaten them a couple times. So it's a tough one to start out, especially when it's a conference game and it's so important."

The Titans took last year's contest 43-38 in North Bend.

It will be interesting to see how having a long Volleyball season affects the Tigers in the opener.

Again, I think it will be important for North Bend Central to excel on offense with shooting the ball.

The Tigers are a strong defensive team, now it's a matter of getting the offense on the same page.

With that said, I think this season has a chance to be special for North Bend Central.

I feel the Tigers have an opportunity to have a very nice season, and perhaps get somewhere between 18-20 wins at the very least.

This is the last hoorah for a number of these girls so North Bend Central has to make it count this year.

2017-2018 North Bend Central Girls Basketball Schedule:

11/30/17 @ Twin River
12/05/17 Schuyler
12/07/17 @ West Point-Beemer
12/12/17 Stanton
12/15/17 Pender
12/21/17 Raymond Central
12/22/17 @ Milford C1
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Central Holiday Tournament North Bend Central
01/05/18 Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/09/18 @ Arlington
01/11/18 @ Wayne
01/13/18 Archbishop Bergan
01/16/18 @ Columbus Scotus
01/19/18 @ Oakland-Craig
01/23/18 Madison
01/25/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
01/26-02/03 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/06/18 Tekamah-Herman
02/08/18 @ Howells-Dodge