State Tournament: Thursday Standout Performances

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #999999;">Photo Credit: Noah Borgmann</span></p> <p>Lincoln- While most of the chatter leading into the state tournament was diverted from games to crowds following the NSAA’s decision to limit admittance to the 2020 state tournament all first-round games went off as scheduled and without a hitch on Thursday to get the tournament rolling. There was plenty of talent on display across all 6 classes and 4 different tournament sites. Here are some stand out performances from the first day of action across all classes. </p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="890577" first="Cale" last="Jacobsen"]</strong> (Ashland Greenwood)- 32 points (11-22 FG), 10-13 FT, 12 rebounds. </p> <p>The 6’3 sophomore guard led Ashland Greenwood in a near-upset of Auburn in the Class C2 quarterfinals Thursday afternoon at the Devaney Center. He scored 30 of the Bluejays final 37 points as they fell to Auburn 54-48. Jacobsen is certainly one of the top 2022 prospects in the state due to his natural scoring ability. He is definitely not built like most high school sophomores either. </p> <p><strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="890477" first="Brad" last="Bennett"] </strong>(Mount Michael Benedictine)- 23 points 6-8 3 PT, 5-6 FT</p> <p>For the second time in less than two weeks, Bennett shot the lights out against the Wahoo Warriors. The two teams met in their  Class B Sub-District Final and the 6’2 junior guard torched the Warriors for 25 points on 7-11 shooting from 3 point range and he just about replicated that performance when the two teams met again in the state quarterfinals. Bennett will definitely be one of the top shooters in the Class of 2021 along with a strong group of teammates who will also be seniors next year. The Knights advance to the state semifinals to face top-ranked and undefeated Omaha Skutt. </p> <p><strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="945976" first="Danair" last="Dempsey"] </strong>(Papillion LaVista South)- 20 points (9-17 FG), 12 rebounds, 4 assists</p> <p>The 6’6 junior forward was one of my pre-tournament picks for a breakout performance and he did just as I expected. Dempsey was aggressive from the jump, taking the ball to the rim, hitting some mid-range shots, and even showing off a few nice post moves in the process. Though the Titans came up short against Millard North, the game would not have come down to the wire if not for Dempsey’s performance. He was the only player on the day in Class A to notch a double-double. Dempsey’s length and athleticism make him an intriguing name to keep an eye on for the Class of 2021 in Nebraska. </p> <p><strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="890479" first="Saint" last="Thomas"] </strong>(Millard North)- 14 points (6-10 FG), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals</p> <p>Thomas was another of my pre-tournament picks of Class A players who could break out, and while Thomas wasn’t the leading scorer for the Mustangs, it was his mid-range jumper with 6 seconds left that made sure Millard North advanced to the state semi-finals. Thomas thrives in the midrange game and it was just that area where he hit the game-winner. He has been extremely efficient all-season long and is the unsung hero of sorts for the Mustangs. Millard North will face defending Class A champions Omaha South in the semi-finals. </p> <p><strong>2020 [player_tooltip player_id="890384" first="Skyler" last="Wilson"] </strong>(Omaha South)- 18 points (7-8 FG), 1-2 3PT, 3-5 Ft, 4 Rebounds</p> <p>The 6’ senior guard was the catalyst for the defending state champions as they avenged a loss to Omaha Central earlier in the season. Wilson who is a natural slasher at guard had some tough finishes throughout the night and a highlight-reel dunk that made me stand up from my seat. South will advance to face Millard North in the state semi-finals. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>