MaxPreps 2014-15 Top 10 Nebraska girls basketball players

As the basketball season rolls into high gear this weekend, it's time to take a look at some of the top girls basketball talent in the state of Nebraska. And there is plenty of it in the Cornhusker State, Division 1 or otherwise.

Of course, the talent starts at the top with one of the nation's top recruits in Jessica Shepard from Fremont, who will play for Connie Yori at Nebraska.

We even take a look at some of the amazing stat lines put forth by some of the state's tremendous athletes that return to take center stage once again later this week. Much of this information was gathered from the Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and of course MaxPreps' stat leader pages from the 2013-14 season.

Now, let's take a stab at ranking the state's top girls basketball talent:

1. Jessica Shepard, Fremont 6-3 Sr. PG/PF
30.8 points, 14.8 rebounds
If there is a player who can almost singlehandedly carry her team to a state championship this season – Shepard is that player. But she will have plenty of help in that endeavor. Arguably the best girls basketball player in state history, Shepard, a Nebraska recruit, averaged 30.8 points and a school record 14.8 rebounds as a junior. Shepard led the Tigers to a 22-4 record a year ago, and a quarterfinal loss to Millard West at the Class A state tournament. The 2013-14 season marked the first time Shepard did not play in the Class A state championship game. Shepard carried Lincoln Southeast to a Class A state runner-up finish as a freshman and then to a state championship as a sophomore before transferring to Fremont last fall. Shepard, of course, was selected to every Super-State and postseason girls basketball team imaginable a year ago. Shepard is considered a Top three recruit nationally, and the No.1 recruit as a forward by some recruiting services.

2. Kianna Ibis, Benson (Omaha) 6-0 Sr. SF/PF
20.2 points, 15.2 rebounds
Ibis is a three-star forward, according to some recruiting services, and has signed with Arizona State. The 6-0 senior scored 20.2 points a game a year ago and ripped down 15.2 rebounds as the Bunnies played their way to the Class A state basketball championship, finishing the season with a 26-2 record. Ibis made both super-state teams put out by the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star, and of course was first team Class A all-state by both newspapers. Her return alone makes Omaha Benson a contender for another Class A crown.

3. Maddie Simon, Pius X (Lincoln) 6-2 Sr. PG/SG/SF
19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.0 blocks
Simon averaged 19.8 points as she led the Thunderbolts to a Class B runner-up finish and a 21-3 record a year ago. A versatile player that does pretty much everything for Pius coach Bill Rice, Simon will join Shepard at Nebraska next year. She plays both guard positions, and at 6-2 creates many, many matchup problems. Simon was a first team Super-State performer in both major Nebraska newspapers, and made both first team Class B All-State teams.

4. Jaycee Bradley, Norfolk 5-10 Sr. G
18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
Bradley signed to play at the University of South Dakota next season. As a junior, she was tabbed second team super-state by both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star as well as both newspapers' first team Class A all-state teams after averaging 18.9 points and 6.9 rebounds a year ago. She heads into her final Panther season already having scored more than 1,000 points in her career. Bradley is pretty sharp from beyond the arc having made 48 of 124 shots from long range a year ago. Bradley does lose six teammates that graduated from a 12-12 finish a year ago.

5. Rachelle Tucker, Pierce 6-2 Sr. F
19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds
Tucker averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds in guiding the Blue jays to a second-straight Class C1 state championship, and hopes to add a third to conclude her senior season. With Tucker hitting the court in Pierce, Darren Sindelar's basketball program owns a 59-17 record, including back-to-back 23-4 marks the last two seasons. A third team All-Nebraska performer according to the Omaha World Herald, Tucker was tabbed a first team Class C1 selection by both newspapers. Tucker has made the state tournament all-time scoring list with 110 points to date, tied for 91st.

6. Kenzie Kulm, Platteview (Springfield) 5-7 Sr. PG/SG
17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
Kulm concluded her junior season in a big way, scoring 77 points in three games as Platteview fell to Kearney Catholic in the Class C1 consolation championship at the state basketball tournament. In the tournament opener, a 77-66 win over Fairbury, Kulm ripped the cords for 40 points. Her performance netted the 5-7 senior the Class C1 record for points scored in a single state tournament game. Kulm, who guided Platteview to a 23-4 record last season, is set to continue her basketball career at Hastings College next season. Kulm landed on the All-Nebraska third team by the Omaha World Herald and netted first and second team All-State honors in C1 by the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star, respectively.

7. Haley Thiele, Bishop Neumann (Wahoo) Sr. SG
20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds
Thiele guided the Cavaliers to a 20-6 record and a berth in the Class C1 state tournament by scoring 20.3 points per game as well as pulling down 3.2 rebounds per outing. Bishop Neumann fell to Kearney Catholic 47-44 in first round state basketball tournament action. A first team All-State selection by both newspapers, Thiele played her way onto the World Herald's second team All-Nebraska Squad, and was deemed a third team Super-State selection by the Journal Star. Thiele will be attending the University of Nebraska at the conclusion of her prep career, but she will compete for Husker golf coach Robin Krapfl.

8. Allison Arens, Crofton 5-9 Sr.
16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds
The University of South Dakota signee will join her sister Bridget and Bradley in Vermillion next season. But first, the 5-9 senior guard and her Warrior teammates have their sights set on another huge season. Aaron Losing's senior class will be vying for its fourth-straight Class C2 state basketball championship, and Arens has played a huge role in Crofton's success. A year ago, Arens averaged 16 points and 3.2 rebounds in guiding the Warriors to a 27-1 record. Crofton is 77-5 during the three-championship run. Arens scored 46 points as the Warriors outscored their opposition 203-118 during the school's third-straight C2 state championship run. Arens was tabbed a third team Super-State selection by both major Nebraska newspapers and was named to the first team Class C2 All-State team by both newspapers.

9. Taylor Kissinger, Minden 6-0 So. SG
16.8 points, 5.7 rebounds
Heading into her sophomore season, Kissinger already has a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois, and by the time she concludes her prep career, may rise to the top of the Kissinger family, which includes older sisters Brooke (Illinois) and Jamie (San Diego). Kissinger's brother Derek plays at Hastings College. Kissinger, a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor, averaged 16.8 points and pulled down 5.7 rebounds per outing a year ago in guiding the Whippets to a 27-1 record. Kissinger introduced herself to state tournament fans by scoring 57 points in three games as the Whippets fell to Pierce 69-60 in the C1 state championship game. The then-freshman played her way onto both Class C1 second team All-State teams.

10. Tantashea Giger, Lincoln Northeast 5-8 Jr. SG
13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds
Known for her quickness and ballhandling skills, Giger did everything well a year ago, and in the process helped guide the Rockets to a fourth-place finish at the Class A state basketball tournament. Giger averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.9 assists per game last season, and led the Rockets to a 22-6 record. The 5-8 junior netted second team Class A all-state honors in both newspapers in 2013-14. Heading into just her fifth season of competitive basketball, Giger has a ton of upside.

Others considered:
Chloe Akin-otiko, Bellevue West; Marisa Lowe, Millard West; Kylie Hohlen, Norris; Maddie Egr, Yutan; Clare Hamburger, Hastings St. Cecilia; Abby Drieling, Emerson-Hubbard; Kaylea Watson, Arapahoe; Christa Brockhaus, Humphrey St. Francis; Maggie Goltz, Falls City Sacred Heart; Blair Hofstetter, Meridian; Christina Daniels, Wallace; Abby Werkmeister, Maywood; Jay Bridgeman, Omaha Westside; Shandra Farmer, Hastings St. Cecilia; Marylyn Mozena, Weeping Water; Abby Magdanz, Falls City Sacred Heart; Jaden Schafer, Stuart; Kennedy Sander, Lincoln Pius X; Jacey Olmer, Humphrey St. Francis.

Top stat lines from a year ago:
Augusta Thramer, South Sioux City 5-8 Jr. PG
10.4 points, 4.7 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 0.6 blocks

McKenna McClintic, Burwell 5-10 Sr.
15.4 points, 4.8 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.2 blocks

Ellie Carr, Ainsworth 5-7 Sr. PG
13.4 points, 5.8 assists, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 0.1 blocks

Brooke Turek, Hemingford 5-8 So.
12.9 points, 4.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 steals, 1.0 blocks

Jamie Winkler, Louisville 5-4 So. G/SG
10.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 steals, 0.2 blocks

Jessica Harvey, Morrill 5-7 So.
9.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 steals, 0.3 blocks

Haley Schnoor, Randolph 5-5 Sr. PG
9.7 points, 4.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 steals, 0.3 blocks

Simone Goods, Omaha Northwest 6-2 Sr.
13.3 points, 1.3 assists, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 2.6 blocks

Taylor Vasa, Arthur County 6-0 Sr. C/PF
16.2 points, 0.5 assists, 11.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals, 3.6 blocks

Brielle Schneider, Kenesaw Jr.
11.9 points, 2.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 steals, 0.6 blocks

Grayce Jorgensen, Medicine Valley 5-8 Sr.
11.5 points, 2.0 assists, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 steals, 0.4 blocks

Lauren Shymkewicz, Ralston 6-1 Jr.
10.4 points, 0.7 assists, 11.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 3.4 blocks

Audra Corbit, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 6-2 Sr.
11.3 points, 0.7 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 2.5 blocks