Underclassmen Standouts from Class A State Tournament
The Nebraska Boys State Basketball Tournament is over and the Bellevue West Thunderbirds have been crowned the Class A State Champions. While many of the teams competing were stacked with upperclassmen talent, there was no shortage of freshman and sophomore…
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Continue ReadingThe Nebraska Boys State Basketball Tournament is over and the Bellevue West Thunderbirds have been crowned the Class A State Champions. While many of the teams competing were stacked with upperclassmen talent, there was no shortage of freshman and sophomore contributors. These are the 6 underclassmen who performed well at the State Tournament.
Luke Jungers – 6’8 – Class of 2022
Game 1 – 16 points
Jungers is a long swingman with some guard skills and shooting touch. He is usually the first man off the bench for Creighton Prep, but got the starting nod in the Bluejay’s first round loss to Omaha Westside. The 6’8 sophomore took what the defense gave him by posting up smaller defenders, taking open three-point looks, and attacking close outs with the dribble. Jungers can be a shot blocker and rebounder on the defensive end and a floor stretcher and playmaker on offense.
Daniel Brocaille Daniel Brocaille 6'4" | SF Papio South | 2022 State NE – 6’4 – Class of 2022
Game 1 – 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals
While there are a few plays from the Titan’s first round loss that I’m sure Brocaille would like to forget, his size and effort impacted the game and helped his team match up with Millard North. At 6’4, he can play inside and out, guard multiple positions, and he earned extra possessions for his team by chasing down 5 offensive rebounds. Brocaille couldn’t get his shots to fall from deep, but he found ways to contribute by rebounding, defending, and finishing at the rim.
Chandler Meeks Chandler Meeks 6'1" | CG Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE – 6’0 – Class of 2022
Game 1 – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Game 2 – 8 points, 1 block
Meeks is a physical two-way player. He is aggressive slashing to the rim and can adjust his shot to avoid contact and finish. He is a good ball handler that can create space for himself to pull up in the mid range or get to the rim. Defensively, he spends most of the game matched up with the opposing teams best player and does a good job pressuring the ball without fouling. Meeks plays with intensity and grit that should get him back to the state tournament before his career is over.
Reggie Thomas Reggie Thomas 6'0" | SG Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE – 6’0 – Class of 2022
Game 1 – 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Game 2 – 13 points, 8 rebounds
Thomas is a quick and hard working athlete. As a 6’0 guard, Thomas led his team in rebounding in both of their tournament games. He gets up and down the court and can defend ball handlers or wings. He scrambles defensively to close out on shooters and help on the interior. Thomas only missed one three point attempt during the tournament and shot 70% from the floor.
Josiah Dotzler – 6’1 – Class of 2023
Game 1 – 0 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Game 2 – 10 points
Game 3 – 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Dotzler was scoreless in his first state tournament game, but defended, forced turnovers, and played with high effort. He is long for the point guard position, moves his feet well, and can pressure ball handlers. Josiah finished the tournament with two strong scoring performances in the semi-finals and championship. He knocked down catch and shoot threes and finished strong at the rim. Dotzler didn’t look like a freshman and was a key part of Bellevue West’s Championship run.
Jasen Green Jasen Green 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2022 State #153 Nation NE – 6’6 – Class of 2022
Game 1 – 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block
Game 2 – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Game 3 – 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal
Green is a versatile and agile forward that creates and exploits mismatches. He defends at the rim and is a strong rebounder, as he showed with 11 boards in the state tournament final. At 6’6, Green can seal smaller defenders and has good patience and footwork to score in the post. He can also attack gaps in the defense with straight line drives and finish with either hand. Green is a well rounded and skilled forward that should be competing in the state Tournament final again next season.