5 Takeaways: Omaha Creighton Prep vs. Omaha Central

<p>OMAHA- Friday night may have given us the game of the year in Nebraska high school basketball. A rivalry game that more than lived up to the hype as Omaha Central went down Dodge Street to visit Creighton Prep. In one of the best rivalry games in the state, and in front of a packed and raucous crowd, Prep stormed back in the second half after trailing 41-28 at the half. Prep went to a bigger lineup for a majority of the second half to take advantage of Central's lack of size, which made the double-digit lead evaporate rather quickly. Despite a 29 point outing from Senior Guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/latrell-wrightsell-jr/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/latrell-wrightsell-jr/">Latrell Wrightsell Jr</a></a>, the Eagles couldn't find consistency from their supporting cast. The final sequence of the game was insane, Wrightsell took a missed Prep free-throw coast to coast to give Central a one-point lead, and then calamity ensued following a buzzer-beating three by Northwest Missouri State commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/spencer-schomers/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/spencer-schomers/">Spencer Schomers</a></a>. A crazy ending to a crazy game, here are my 5 takeaways. </p> <p>https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsNE/status/1223434737911549952?s=20</p> <p><strong>Latrell Wrightsell Remains the Top Uncommitted Player in the State</strong></p> <p>Wrightsell's 29 points on the night far and away lead all scorers on the evening. The vast majority of his makes came at or around the rim, including one of the most impressive in-game dunks I have seen this year, catching an alley-oop from his point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-polk/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-polk/">Max Polk</a></a> and throwing it down with one hand. He finished game 11-18 from the field and went 7-7 from the free-throw line, on top of seven rebounds and three assists. Though I have referred to him as a 3 and D guard, Wrightsell found a way to 29 points without making a single three-pointer on the night. This was the first time since the early season OPS Jamboree that I had watched Wrightsell in person, and even since that game back in December, he looks quicker and bouncier than he did at the start of the season. </p> <p><strong>Have A Night Luke Jungers</strong></p> <p>This game served as a coming-out party of sorts for Creighton Prep sophomore forward <strong>Luke Jungers. </strong>With starting forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-rollins/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-rollins/">AJ Rollins</a></a> in foul trouble for a majority of the game, Jungers was given a chance to shine and he took full advantage. He finished as the Junior Jays' leading scorer with 15 points on the night on a perfect 7-7 from the field. He saved his best for the final quarter where he hit a big 3 and also gave Prep a late lead with a jump hook inside. Jungers showed his potential in this matchup against a quality opponent and showed he could play a critical role down the stretch for Prep. </p> <p>https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsNE/status/1223430885430697989?s=20</p> <p><strong>Youngsters On Display for Both Sides</strong></p> <p>Aside from Jungers, there were other sophomores to watch that had some solid games. The main one being Omaha Central sophomore guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-dawson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-dawson/">Jayden Dawson</a></a>, who came in off the bench and shot 3-4 from behind the arch to finish with 9 points. Dawson is a very solid shooter who's shooting 40% from 3 on the season and is certainly a name to watch in the 2022 class. Fellow sophomore <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pj-davis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pj-davis/">PJ Davis</a></a> is also a name to watch in that class who also is shooting 40% from 3 this year. Davis finished with 3 points on the night, but only attempted two shots. </p> <p><strong>A Tale of Two Halves</strong></p> <p>The two halves of this basketball game could not have been more different. Central lead 21-20 at the end of the first quarter that was as back and forth as 8 minutes of basketball could be. Central then outscored Prep 20-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a double-digit lead into halftime. I have no idea what Creighton Prep head coach Josh Luedtke told his team in the locker room, but it flipped some kind of switch. Prep shot an incredible 75% from the field in the second half. The second-half surge was lead by Luke Jungers and junior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-rollins/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-rollins/">AJ Rollins</a></a> who is a legitimate two-sport prospect. Rollins finished with 12 points on the night. For the second time in the span of four days, Central let a double-digit lead slip away. </p> <p><strong>Class A Remains Wide Open</strong></p> <p>Man oh man the state tournament is going to be fun this year. District play to get to the state tournament is going to be crazy as well. The players such as Wrightsell, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-sallis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-sallis/">Hunter Sallis</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chucky-hepburn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chucky-hepburn/">Chucky Hepburn</a></a>, and the rest of the immense talent in this state are going to make every game worth the price of admission. It seems like just about anybody can compete with anyone, and especially when the stakes are high in the postseason, anything goes. Expect the unexpected, this next month and a half is going to be a wild ride. </p>