Class A District Preview
DISTRICT A-1 Lincoln Pius X, Lincoln Northeast, Norfolk, Kearney, Omaha North Key Players: McKenna Minter has round back into shape and performance for Lincoln Northeast. The Rockets finished the season on a 9-1 clip, with their only lost to highly…
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Continue ReadingDISTRICT A-1
Lincoln Pius X, Lincoln Northeast, Norfolk, Kearney, Omaha North
Key Players: McKenna Minter has round back into shape and performance for Lincoln Northeast. The Rockets finished the season on a 9-1 clip, with their only lost to highly ranked Fremont, and it was all keyed by Minter. The Seton Hall recruit is the leader for the Rockets at both ends of the floor, and she will have to excel this week for them to have a chance to return to the state tournament. Before the Rockets can possibly worry about winning the district, they will have to take care of a competitive Norfolk squad, who is lead by senior Anden Baumann and her 10 points a game.
Prediction: Lincoln Pius X has been dominant all season, and they figure to have the upperhand in this district as well. A recent loss to Omaha Westside may be a blessing in disguise for the Thunderbolts.
Kearney over Omaha North/ Lincoln Pius X over Kearney/ Lincoln Northeast over Norfolk/ Lincoln Pius X over Lincoln Northeast
DISTRICT A-2
Millard South, South Sioux City, Omaha Northwest, Bellevue East, Lincoln Southeast
Key Players: The guard play in this district is outstanding. The state’s leading scorer, Ane’jah Douglas, figures to get her 20-25 points for Northwest, while junior Kyra Fischer will have to handle the ball well and make great decisions for South Sioux City to advance. Waiting for either squad, more than likely, is perhaps the state’s best all-around player in South Dakota commit Maddie Krull. Fischer and Douglas will have to play an outstanding game for either to defeat the suffocating pressure of Millard South in the district title game.
Prediction: Like Lincoln Pius X, Millard South has been dominant all season, and they are the heavy favorites. Also like Pius, a recent loss (for Millard South, to Lincoln East) may be a blessing in disguise for the Patriots in their pursuit for a state championship.
Bellevue East over Lincoln Southeast/ Millard South over Bellevue East/ Omaha Northwest over South Sioux City/ Millard South over Omaha Northwest
DISTRICT A-3
Omaha Westside, Millard North, Omaha Marian, Omaha Benson, Grand Island
Key Players: Omaha Westside is hitting their stride, led by the senior duo of Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor and Ella Wedergren, the catalysts of the Warrior’s upset of Lincoln Pius X this past Tuesday. Millard North has their own outstanding duo of Nicole Avila-Ambrosi (36 points against Omaha Central Friday night) and Ella Danley. Will the trio of Ary Harrison, CeCe Hacker and Parker Stafford be able to overcome the depth of the two higher seeds?
Prediction: Westside and Millard North have been consistently in the Top 10 all year, while Marian has been nipping at their heels. Marian got a nice road win on Friday night against Papillion LaVista-South, but this probably comes down to the two higher seeds. That one has a chance to be a classic, but McGinnis-Taylor will be the difference.
Omaha Benson over Grand Island/ Omaha Westside over Omaha Benson/ Millard North over Omaha Marian/ Omaha Westside over Millard North
DISTRICT A-4
Lincoln East/ Lincoln High/ Omaha Burke/ Bellevue West/ Omaha Bryan
Key Players: The scoreboard operators figure to get a workout in this district, with some of the highest scoring squads in the state falling in together in this district. Taylor Searcey has been on a tear for the Spartans, while Hailey Ingram and the Burke Bulldogs are a dangerous team that can put things together for 32 minutes against anyone. Lincoln High, led by Nyayaongah Gony and Kaysia Woods, are also very dangerous.
Prediction: Lincoln East has been like a cat, using it’s nine lives to rally in multiple fourth quarters to pull out wins throughout the season. Whomever comes out of the Lincoln High/ Omaha Burke game will have to have the mindset of playing the entire 32 minutes in order to topple the Spartans, but I think the senior leadership of Lincoln East will be too much to overcome.
Bellevue West over Omaha Bryan/ Lincoln East over Bellevue West/ Lincoln High over Omaha Burke/ Lincoln East over Lincoln High
DISTRICT A-5
North Platte, Millard West, Elkhorn South, Omaha Central, Omaha South
Key Players: North Platte has been a wildcard throughout the season in Class A. Having only played two Class A teams all season, and having not played this past week, this could be quite the challenge for the Bulldogs. However, outstanding junior Gracie Haneborg and her 17 points a game, along with home court throughout the district, look to help the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Hannah Leo has been on a tear for Millard West, averaging 18 a game and shooting lights out. Elkhorn South, lead by Nebraska volleyball recruit Rylee Gray, will not be an easy out, while Omaha Central’s massive front line of 6’5″ Ital Lupoyo and 6’3″ Nyanuar Pal make it difficult to score around the rim agains the Eagles.
Prediction: This is going to be a highly competitive district with many distinctive playing styles. How North Platte adjusts to the speed and size of the Omaha area schools will be key for them to win their district, but this is perhaps the most likely district to see an upset.
Omaha Central over Omaha South/ North Platte over Omaha Central/ Millard West over Elkhorn South/ Millard West over North Platte
DISTRICT A-6
Papillion LaVista, Elkhorn, Papillion LaVista-South, Columbus
Key Players: Elkhorn has been towards the top of the wild card standings all season, but an ill-timed injury to Maddy Meehan lead to a four game losing streak and dropped the Antlers out of the top seven. If Meehan is healthy, the Antlers can compete, but without her athleticism, they will have trouble with Emily Richards and the young, scrappy Titan squad. Waiting on the other side of the bracket are the Monarchs of Papillion LaVista, who are only 4-4 in their last eight, but all four losses are to quality squads.
Prediction: There are three solid teams in this district, and all three games should be competitive. If Meehan is able to go on Tuesday, I see Elkhorn coming out ahead, but I think they will struggle in the final against a deep and senior laden LaVista squad hungry for another state tournament appearance.
Papillion LaVista over Columbus/ Elkhorn over Papillion LaVista-South/ Papillion LaVista over Elkhorn
DISTRICT A-7
Fremont, Lincoln Southwest, Gretna, Lincoln North Star
Key Players: This could be the deepest district top to bottom. Fremont has been terrific all year, while no one in Class A may be hotter than Lincoln Southwest, winners of eleven of their last twelve, including wins over Fremont, Lincoln East and Lincoln High. Gretna has been highly competitive since the holiday break, while North Star defeated Fremont this past Friday. Taylor McCabe is the best individual player in this district, while the other three team’s strength are in their balance.
Prediction: This is going to be a terrific district. It seems to be heading towards Southwest and Fremont, but don’t sleep on Gretna; they have experienced players that are not intimidated by the moment. However, Fremont has a solid starting five and the best player, which I think will help them carry the day.
Fremont over Lincoln North Star/ Lincoln Southwest over Gretna/ Fremont over Lincoln Southwest
CLASS A WILDCARD TEAM: North Platte