Lincoln Pius X vs. Bellevue West Preview

<p>Lincoln- It'll be Thunderbirds vs. Thunderbolts in Lincoln Thursday night as the only remaining undefeated team in Class A gets arguably their biggest test of the season, in what just may be the best game of the week across Nebraska. The Bolts will host Bellevue West who'll come into the matchup with a 7-2 record, one of those losses coming without 2021 Wisconsin commit <strong>Chucky Hepburn </strong>against Omaha South, and the other coming on an ultracold shooting night against Creighton Prep in the Metro Holiday Tournament. Playing host to teams from outside Lincoln is nothing new for the 11-0 Thunderbolts, who already own home victories over Creighton Prep and Omaha Westside, and they will look to continue to protect their home court on Thursday night. This matchup has plenty of star power and will be full of skilled guards especially. </p> <p>When Bellevue West is at full strength they are close to the top of the heap when it comes to complete teams in the state. <strong>Chucky Hepburn </strong>as their catalyst, the straw that stirs the Thunderbirds' drink. He missed four games early in the season and he has been very efficient since his return, averaging 19 points a game, to go with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals a game. Bellevue West's greatest advantage in the matchup will the at the forward spots, not just in terms of size but in terms of talent. 6'5 brothers <strong>Louis</strong> (2020) and <strong>Frankie Fidler</strong> (2021) both can score at all three levels and both play 20+ minutes a game. <strong>Louis Fidler </strong>averages 16 points a game and shoots over 50% from the field. Senior and Black Hills State commit <strong>John Shanklin</strong> is the man in the middle, and will likely pose a matchup problem for Pius defenders.  A player for Bellevue West to keep an eye on, even in his limited minutes is freshman guard <strong>Josiah Dotzler</strong>, who comes from a great basketball pedigree, and is a stout defender. If he gets into this game he'll likely be tasked with guarding the Hoiberg boys. </p> <p>The guard tandem of <strong>Kolbe Rada </strong>and <strong>Sam Hoiberg</strong> have been on another level for Lincoln Pius to start the season. An argument could be made that they've been the most efficient backcourt in the state up to this point. Rada, one of the top uncommitted seniors in the state, and will likely be the focal point of Bellevue West's defensive gameplan, which could open up the game for <strong>Sam Hoiberg </strong>or even his twin brother and the usual first guy off the bench for the Bolts, <strong>Charlie Hoiberg. </strong>One of Pius' biggest strengths is how fundamentally sound they are. They rarely turn the ball over, their shot selection is intelligent, and they play good, savvy team defense. This game will certainly be their toughest test defensively given their disadvantage size-wise. The Rada-Hepburn matchup itself will be worth the price of admission. </p> <p>The gym at Lincoln Pius is likely to be rocking for this marquee matchup featuring two of the top teams in Class A.  For Pius this game will serve as an indicator of how they compete with teams who have a distinct size advantage. For Bellevue West this is an opportunity to get a big road win while also reinforcing their place amongst the upper echelon of Class A </p>