By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
The past two Class A (large-school) state finals pitted Omaha Central and Bellevue West, with Central winning back-to-back titles after needing overtime to pull each of them off.
It should be no surprise if both squad make respective runs back to the state final again this season. Omaha Central returns four starters in search for its third straight Class A state title and have Creighton-signee Josh Jones. Bellevue West has its own Creighton-signee in high-scoring guard Antoine Young. West also returns Jeff Allgood, who has signed with Army.
Omaha Central took home its first football state title since 1984 in November. Two of the players that were key in making it possible were Chris Griffin and Ronnell Grixby, both returning on the hardwood for coach Eric Behrens.
Other returning state champions are Omaha Skutt (Class B), Ainsworth (Class C-1), Ponca (Class C-2), Wauneta-Palisade (Class D-1), and St. Edward (Class D-2).
Nebraska Notebook
Ralston moves up to Class A this season and should have an impressive record while playing a Class B schedule. The players to watch are 6-6 junior Greg Smith and 6-5 sophomore Dwight Smith. Ralston last won a state title in 1964 while in Class B and qualified for state in Class A in 1992.
Class A will have 29 teams instead of the planned 28 schools, with Columbus opting to play in Class A rather than Class B. Omaha Roncalli will do the same, playing in Class B instead of Class C-1, giving it 32 teams.
Omaha Central guard Josh Jones returns from a September heart surgery. Jones had a blockage in a heart valve caused by a virus. Creighton still was confident enough in the returning All-State player to maintain its interest in Jones, and he signed with the Bluejays in November.
Omaha Skutt has plenty in the cupboard to make another run at a Class B title. 6-8 center Jake Reinders and 6-5 Andy Morris return for the SkyHawks.
State Tournament Changes
Instead of its traditional three-game sessions at the State Tournament, the 2007-08 version will debut three two-game sessions. Session 1 will have its games tip-off at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Session 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., while the final Session will have its games begin at 7:00 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. The state final games will have the traditional format.
The Nebraska School Activities Association also will debut a third-place game in all classes instead of the traditional single-elimination format. The boys State Tournament will take place from March 6-8 in Lincoln spread across four sites; the Bob Devaney Sports Center, Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln Southeast, and Lincoln East.
Unlike previous years, Class A will go to seven districts and just one wildcard. Only one of the seven districts is predetermined, as the six others will be decided two weeks prior to district play.
Eikmeier, Carr Fun to Watch
In Nebraska, it's not too often when you will find two players as good as Fremont Bergan's Wes Eikmeier and Ainsworth's Jesse Carr at the small-school level.
Eikmeier, who signed with Iowa State, averaged 25.9 points and 5.5 assists per game last season for the Knights. Bergan was upset in the Class C-2 state semifinals last season after falling 58-56 to Ponca. Eikmeier was named Nebraska Player of the Year last season by Gatorade. Eikmeier's father Wes is a former coach at Bergan, leading the Knights to the state title in 1987.
Carr signed a letter of intent with Colorado State last month after leading Ainsworth to the Class C-1 state title. Carr can do it all. The point guard averaged 22.6 points and 9.5 points per game for the Bulldogs.
Nebraska Preseason Super 10
1. Omaha Central (19-7)
2. Bellevue West (18-10)
3. Omaha Bryan (24-2)
4. Omaha Creighton Prep (16-9)
5. Ralston (16-7*)
6. Bellevue East (12-12)
7. Lincoln Southeast (14-8)
8. Lincoln East (3-19)
9. Omaha Benson (15-9)
10. Norfolk (19-5)
*Record in Class B
Preseason All-State
Josh Jones- Omaha Central
Signed with Creighton. Averaged 18 points per game for the Class A state champions.
Antoine Young- Bellevue West
Signed with Creighton. Averaged 20.6 points, 5.6 assists per game for Class A runners-up.
Wes Eikmeier- Fremont Bergan
Signed with Iowa State. Averaged 25.9 points per game for coach Chris Paulson.
Jesse Carr- Ainsworth
Signed with Colorado State. Averaged 22.6 points and 9.5 assists per game for Class C-1 state champions.
Mike Fox- Beatrice
Averaged 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for the Class B runners-up as a junior.
Class A Top Five
1. Omaha Central
2. Bellevue West
3. Omaha Bryan
4. Omaha Creighton Prep
5. Ralston*
*- up from Class B
Class B Top Five
1. Omaha Skutt
2. Crete
3. Beatrice
4. Scottsbluff
5. Elkhorn
Class C-1 Top Five
1. Ainsworth
2. Pierce
3. Chadron
4. Hastings St. Cecilia
5. Boys Town
Class C-2 Top Five
1. Grand Island CC*
2. Deshler
3. Ponca
4. Laurel-Concord
5. Elmwood-Murdock
*Down from Class C-1
Class D-1 Top Five
1. Fremont Bergan*
2. Humphrey St. Francis
3. Mead
4. Pender
5. Wauneta-Palisade
*Down from Class C-2
Class D-2 Top Five
1. Ewing
2. St. Edward
3. Falls City Sacred Heart
4. Pleasanton
5. Leigh
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
