Nebraska’s Next Wave: Class of 2022 Front Court Players

Nebraska's high school basketball just keeps growing and getting better, and the future is very bright.  One of the state's most talented classes just finished their freshman year, and it is one of the best classes that the state has seen in a while.  Today, we're going to take a look at the high level front court players of the class of 2022: <strong>Ava Ward (All Nebraska Attack/ Lincoln Southwest)- </strong>Another in a long line of versatile front court players, Ward is an outstanding athlete who is still growing into her body.  A very good shooter from the perimeter, Ward possesses an athleticism hard to find; as a freshman, she can already touch the rim.  A disruptive defender, Ward is a raw basketball player who has a chance to be an outstanding player as she grows in the game. <strong>Baylee Egan (Team Factory/ Bellevue East)- </strong>Egan jumped onto the high school scene in Nebraska last year as a three sport starter as a freshman at Bellevue East, but her passion lies in hoops.  A 5'10" finisher who is strong and has good length, Baylee is a good rebounder who really blossomed in her first summer of playing the AAU circuit.  With her length and athleticism, MIAA schools, along with Omaha, have shown some interest in this outstanding overall athlete.  Watch out for her as her game develops with experience. <strong>Brynlee Arnold (All Nebraska Attack/ Glenwood High School (IA)- </strong>A 6'2" post player with very good feet and an athletic build, Arnold has a chance to become an elite, Division I post player before it is all said and done.  A lefty with a crafty, inside-outside game and great footwork, Arnold can post up strong around the rim or step out and shoot the 3.  If Arnold continues to improve, she has a chance to be a Power 5 Division I scholarship player.  Definitely someone to keep tabs on! <strong>Emma Salker (Omaha Sports Academy/ Seargeant Bluff-Luton High School (IA)- </strong>Salker is a raw athlete who is just growing into her basketball skills.  A state qualifier in track as a freshman, her outstanding length at 5'11" creates havoc for opposing teams, especially in the full court.  An open court dynamo, she disrupts the opposition at all times.  As she continues to develop her ball skills, Salker will become one of the dominant players in the Sioux City metro area. <strong>Libby Landgren (All Nebraska Attack/ Hastings St. Cecelia High School)- </strong>A raw, strong post player for the Hawkettes, Landgren will be expected to contribute more to the outstanding St. Cecelia's team this upcoming season.  An aggressive player who is a very solid defender, this 5'10" post player will need to diversify her offensive game for the Hawkettes to achieve the same success that they saw last season. <strong>Macy Bryant (Team Factory/ Fremont High School)- </strong>Bryant is a 5'10", versatile defender who can guard every position except for the traditional 5 spot.  A player who perhaps is too unselfish on the offensive end, Bryant is a high IQ player with good length and just finds a way to win.  Her intangibles are a big reason why school like Northwest Missouri, Omaha, UM-Kansas City, Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Western are already inquiring about this born winner. <strong>Megan Chambers (Omaha Sports Acadmey/ Millard North)-</strong> Chambers is a 5'11" forward who helped Millard North win the Class A state championship in 2019.  A good athlete with a nice off-the-bounce game, Chambers needs to continue to develop her outside game to be a more consistent offensive player.  A face up 4 in the Mustangs dribble drive offense, Chambers will be expected to step up her contributions to replace the graduation losses of the Mustangs. <strong>Sarah Shephard (Team Factory/ Fremont High School)- </strong>A 5'10" wing player who can play either the 3 or the 4, Shephard comes from a long line of great basketball players from the Shephard famiy.  A versatile offensive player who can score from either the inside or the perimeter, she is a player that is just coming into her own and has flown a bit under the radar.  Look for her to do great things as a full time varsity player for the Tigers this winter. <strong>Sydney Jelinek (All Nebraska Attack/ Norris High School)- </strong>A versatile wing player who can step out and attack from the perimeter or play "mouse in the house" down low with a small defender, Jelinek is a 5'11" athlete with a strong, athletic basketball frame.  A good shooter, Jelinek should team with her teammate Breanna Stai to create a powerful duo for the Titans.  Jelinek has a chance to be a Division I player if she continues to develop her overall game. <strong>Taylor Drent (Omaha Sports Academy/ Sioux City East High School (IA)- </strong>A 5'11" wing player who can guard all five positions on the court, Drent is a strong athlete who started as a freshman for Class 5A Sioux City East.  A strong athlete who has shown dramatic improvements in her skill development, Drent plays the 3, 4 and 5 for both the Black Raiders and OSA.  Ike Salker, as her face up game continues to grow, it will allow her overall game to excel. &nbsp;