State Basketball 2018: Capsules and Players to Watch
Overview: The Patriots were defeated by Lincoln Pius X in the NSAA A-7 district final at home on Monday, where they gave up 31 first quarter points. They're 16-7 on the year, finishing seventh in our final power rankings, and have qualified for the NSAA Class A state tournament for the second straight year.
Player to watch: Tyrell Carroll
It was hard to pick just one player to feature in this article for Millard South, but the guard has been regarded as a "true floor general" in our mentions this year. He averages 17.8 points as a guy that really knows how to make his way to the rim, as well as averaging 6.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. He's headed to Emporia State.
Overview: Pius X took down Millard South in the A-7 final on Monday, led by Joe Dworak with 35 points. They shot 69% in that game, and are shooting 47% on the season. The Thunderbolts are 16-8 on the year. This will be the school’s 33rd trip to the state tournament.
Player to watch: Charlie Easley
Basketball runs in the blood of the Easley family, and young Charlie is no different. He leads the way for Pius this year with 17.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game. The 6-foot junior guard scored 22 in the win over Millard South, and he has yet to go scoreless in a game this year. He’s quick enough to break up passing lanes but also has the eyes to get good looks when needed.
The Bears took down Bellevue East at home on Monday to earn their first state tournament berth since 2012. They were without star guard Javen Udofia in that game, until the dying minutes, but the squad is well-rounded enough so that others stepped up and chipped in. They were led in the district final by Tre Crawford, with 23 points; Keelyn Moses got himself a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Player to watch: Tre Crawford
The 6-foot-1 senior forward averages 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Four years ago, he sat in the locker room on the losing side of things for 23 games. Now, he’s led his team to Lincoln looking for the school’s second boys basketball state championship game appearance and first state championship.
5. Bellevue West Thunderbirds
Overview: Bellevue West made their way to a qualification with a 61-52 victory over Omaha Westside in the A-5 district final at home. They’re 18-6 on the year and finished fourth in our final power rankings.
Player to watch: Cedric Johnson
The senior has taken the Thunderdome by storm this year, and he has scored in double digits in 22 of his 24 appearances this year. He stands at 6’2” and is shooting 57% from the floor this year. He has a shot at walking away from Bellevue with a second state championship after winning one last season in football.
4. Kearney Bearcats
Overview: Drake Beranek’s crew from the southwest is 18-6 on the season, finishing sixth in our final power rankings, and is making the trip to Lincoln for the second straight year. They qualified with a 51-37 win at home in the A-4 district final over Lincoln North Star.
Player to watch: Kanon Koster
The 6-foot-3 senior has scored at least 20 points in 16 of his 24 games this season. He averages 22.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and he is shooting 52% from the floor on the season. Koster will attack the rim with apparent ease and rise up above almost anyone in the paint.
3. Lincoln East Spartans
Overview: The Spartans earned their right to play for a state championship when they took down Lincoln High by a 57-44 score at home in the district A-3 final. They currently sit at 24-1, with the loss coming from Millard South. They finished third in our final power rankings.
Player to watch: Samuel Griesel
The 6-foot-5 senior forward is averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game headed into the state tournament. Griesel is shooting 50% on the season thus far, and he consistently scores at least 15 points for the Spartans.
Overview: Creighton Prep earned a spot in the state tournament with an 81-56 win over Millard West at home in the A-2 district final. The Junior Jays are 23-1, with the loss coming in the Metro Conference holiday basketball tournament at the hands of Omaha Central, finishing second in our final power rankings. Since the Metro tournament, two key transfers, Jaylin Hunter and Thomas Faber, have helped the Junior Jays be undefeated since their eligibility. Faber, though, has been ruled out for the state tournament due to injury. Prep qualified for the state tournament for the fourth year in a row.
Player to watch: Akol Arop
After missing a few late season games on injury, Arop is back to 100% and will look to contribute in major ways for Creighton Prep. He is averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game this season. Arop has had multiple 20 rebound games this year and will look to control the paint this weekend.
1. Omaha Central Eagles
Overview: The Eagles are 24-2, with their two losses coming from Papillion-La Vista South and Creighton Prep. They finished top dog in our final power rankings, and have qualified for the state tournament for the eighth year in a row. They earned a state bid by virtue of an 84-76 victory over Papillion-La Vista in the A-1 district final.
Player to watch: Roman Behrens
The senior guard, who is playing under the direction of his father this season, averages 16.4 points, 7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Behrens is a 47% shooter, but he is also able to hurt a defense through his vision and precision passing ability.
All stats are per MaxPreps.