Top 10 nonleague high school basketball games for Nebraska teams

As the 2014-15 Nebraska boys basketball season gets started next weekend, several big early contests are already coming up on the docket. Below is a look at the Top 10 contests that will take place from opening night to just before the Christmas break.

1. Skutt Catholic (Omaha) at Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), Dec. 5/ at Barstow (Kansas City, Mo.), Dec. 6
The defending Class B champion SkyHawks travel into the Kansas City Metro to take on the first of two solid clubs on back-to-back nights. A year ago, the Saints gave eventual Class 5 champion Lansing fits before falling 68-57 in a Class 5A quarterfinal. Aquinas trailed just 41-40 going into the final period. After winning the Class B state football title Tuesday for the second-straight year, Skutt hopes to get the possible football-basketball sweep started with a huge win over a very good opponent. On Dec. 6, Skutt then travels across another state line, heading into Missouri to battle defending Class 3 runner-up Barstow, which brings back another solid roster of players. Skutt Catholic will once again counter with Wills Wallrapp.

2. Exeter-Milligan at High Plains (Polk), Dec. 18
High Plains knocked Exeter-Milligan out of the Class D2 state tournament with a 49-45 win and then went on to earn a berth in the championship game before falling to champion Bancroft-Rosalie 62-47. Exeter-Milligan just won the 8 Man 2 state football championship and hopes to add a basketball title to its fine start in the 2014-15 sports season. A win over the Storm would be a terrific way to get the basketball season started.

3. Wahoo at Wayne, Dec. 12
Wahoo proved its 52-43 regular season win wasn't a fluke last March when it bumped Wayne from state championship contention with a 56-42 semifinal win on the way to a Class C1 state runner-up finish to crosstown rival Bishop Neumann. Wayne feels as if it is its turn to get into the championship contest. Ben Hoskins returns for Wayne, while the Warriors will lean on the talents of Jake Scheef.

4. Sioux City North (Iowa) at South Sioux City, Dec. 11
The Cardinals failed to qualify for the Class A state tournament a year ago, but Terry Comstock returns plenty of talent in 2014-15 and South Sioux City should take a huge step forward at season's end. Comstock's club will get an early test when crosstown rival Sioux City North comes calling. The Stars, who were upset by Valley in the quarterfinals of the Iowa big school state tournament last year, return Dan Tillo and Xavier Scarlett as they prepare to make another run in March. The Cardinals will be led by seniors Alex Borchers and Seth Hansen.

5. Bellevue West at Valley (West Des Moines, Iowa), Dec. 20
The defending Class A champion Thunderbirds hit the road looking for a giant win over defending Class 4A runner-up Valley, which returns Turner Scott and a trio of players that earned valuable state tournament playing time a year ago. Malik Hluchoweckyj is a force for the Thunderbirds.

6. Omaha South at Waukee (Iowa), Dec. 20
Omaha South lost to Norfolk 70-66 in three overtimes in a Class A quarterfinal contest at the Nebraska state tournament a year ago. Waukee (Iowa) didn't earn a berth in the Iowa Class 4A state tournament, but the Warriors did post a 19-4 record a year ago before ending the season with a 48-44 loss to Urbandale (Iowa). Both squads would love to get a huge win early on their way to postseason success.

7. Creighton Prep (Omaha) at Omaha North, Dec. 18
A year ago, the Junior Jays put together a solid 14-10 season, and now return enough talent to make improvements in both the win-loss column as well as their postseason possibilities. Tommy Pritchard, Chad Witecy, Drew Homa and Jacob Mattern will guide the Junior Jays against North. The Vikings, 8-15 a year ago, will counter with the talents of Justin Patton.

8. Wynot at Randolph, Dec. 23
Last year Randolph earned a hard-fought 48-41 regular season win over the Blue Devils before knocking off Overton for the Class D1 state championship. Just before the Christmas break, the Blue Devils, 20-6 a year ago, hope the same scenario plays out, only this time they come out on top.

9. St. Cecilia (Hastings) at Scotus (Columbus), Dec. 4
Hastings St. Cecilia failed to make the field at last March's Class C2 state tournament, but the Bluehawks did produce a 20-6 record. A win over Grant Lahm and the defending Class C1 consolation champion Shamrocks would give the Bluehawks a major early-season boost. And vice versa.

10. Archbishop Bergan (Fremont) at Mount Michael Benedictine (Elkhorn), Dec. 18
Last season Bergan upended Class B Mount Michael at home, 71-65, before going on to win the Class C2 championship. This season the Knights hope to get a triumph on the road as they go for a repeat. Mount Michael hopes to turn the tables on Bergan.

Honorable Mention

Dec. 4 – Clearwater/Orchard at St. Mary's (O'Neill)
Dec. 5 – Boone Central/Newman Grove (Albion) at Cedar Catholic (Hartington)
Dec. 12 – Yutan at Freeman (Adams)
Dec. 16 – Howells-Dodge at West Point-Beemer
Dec. 19 – Pius X (Lincoln) at Elkhorn South