Class B Sub-District Preview

The dust has finally settled on Class B this year, and sub-districts begin Monday.  Here's a look at what each sub-district has, and how we think they are going to play out.  A note: Each district winner automatically qualifies for the District finals next Saturday, while the eight other squads will be selected by their wild card average. <strong>Sub-District B1 (Omaha Mercy, Ralston and Omaha Duchesne): </strong>Omaha Mercy has had their best season in over a decade, and they have earned the right to host their conference rivals.  Ralston owns two close wins over Duchesne, but it is difficult to beat a team three teams in one season. Mercy is 3-0 in this triangular; look for them to go 5-0 by Tuesday night.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Ralston over Omaha Duchesne/ Omaha Mercy over Ralston   <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>None <strong>Sub-District B2 (Platteview, Omaha Gross and Omaha Skutt Catholic): </strong>This should be a pretty competitive district.  Omaha Skutt Catholic and Omaha Gross have split two very competitive games on Gross' home court, so the rubber match should be a good one.  Platteview plays in largely a C1 conference, but has competed well against quality competition.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Omaha Gross over Omaha Skutt Catholic/ Platteview over Omaha Gross   <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>Omaha Gross, Omaha Skutt Catholic <strong>Sub-District B3 (Plattsmouth, Waverly, Nebraska City): </strong>One of the weaker districts in the state, all three squads have struggled this season, but all three have a shot to play for a state tournament berth with two wins this week.  Waverly owns two wins over their two competitors.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Waverly over Nebraska City/ Waverly over Plattsmouth   <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>None <strong>Sub-District B4 (Bennington, Blair, Schuyler): </strong>Blair has been somewhat inconsistent this season, but they are a dangerous team that can win a one-game, winner take all.  Bennington looks to be the dominant team in this district, but Blair pushed Bennington in a 53-50 outcome right after the holiday break.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Blair over Schuyler/ Bennington over Blair  <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>Blair <strong>Sub-District B5 (Crete, Beatrice, Norris, Seward): </strong>This is the most competitive sub-district in the state, with three of the top teams in the state. Beatrice defeated Norris earlier this season, 62-52, but Norris has won four in a row since that setback.  Crete and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/morgan-maly/">Morgan Maly</a> get to play in their gym, which makes it an uphill battle for the winner of this game in the sub-district title game.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Crete over Seward/ Norris over Beatrice/ Crete over Norris  <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>Beatrice, Norris <strong>Sub-District B6 (Grand Island Northwest, York, Hastings, Aurora): </strong>In our district play, the other deep district is B6.  Northwest had a big win to end their regular season over Beatrice, while Hastings has gone 11-3 since the moratorium.  York's duo of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddie-portwine/">Maddie Portwine</a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/natalia-dick/">Natalia Dick</a> needs to play well in that semi-final.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Grand Island Northwest over Aurora/ Hastings over York/ Grand Island Northwest over Hastings  <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>York, Hastings <strong>Sub-District B7 (McCook, Holdrege, Lexington): </strong>In another district with all competitors under 500, McCook looks to have the edge.  The Bison hold a 43-39 homecourt victory over Holdrege, but that was in December.  Whomever comes out of this district figures to throw a little chaos in the district final.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Holdrege over Lexington/ McCook over Holdrege  <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>None <strong>Sub-District B8 (Sidney, Scottsbluff, Gering, Alliance): </strong>This local rivals square off one more time to wrap up the season.  Sidney has been the dominant team in the region, but Scottsbluff has alot of firepower.  These two teams split a pair of games this season, but I like the Raiders here.  <strong>Prediction: </strong>Sidney over Alliance/ Scottsbluff over Gering/ Sidney over Scottsbluff  <strong>WILDCARD QUALIFIER: </strong>Scottsbluff