Upcoming Notable Games In The Metro

<p>It all comes down to the final weeks of February, the last month of the regular season in high school basketball. For most teams its not about how you start but how you finish the season. I’ve typed up a couple of notable games this upcoming week you should keep your eye on.</p> <p><b><i>Tuesday, February 2nd</i></b></p> <p><i>Grand Island Islanders (9-7) @ #1 Bellevue West Thunderbirds (15-1)</i></p> <p>Grand Island is a team that needs to play there best basketball from here on out. The Islanders dropped there last game against Omaha Bryan on the road 64-67. Grand Island will have to play remarkable in order to compete with the #1 ranked team in the state. In order to have a shot at winning this game, 4 Star recruit <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890574" first="Isaac" last="Traudt"]</em> will have to dominate both inside and outside the paint. The Islanders role players will also have to keep the turnovers to a minimum.</p> <p>The Thunderbirds are now the #1 ranked team in the state after beating both Millard North and Creighton Prep on the road this past weekend. The Thunderbirds are being led by Wisconsin signee <em>[player_tooltip player_id="773431" first="Chucky" last="Hepburn"]</em> and UNO signee <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890468" first="Frankie" last="Fidler"]</em>. The defending State Champ with have to contain the 6’10 Junior <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890574" first="Isaac" last="Traudt"]</em> and if they can do just that, they can carry there winning streak to 9 games.</p> <p><i>#7 Papillion-La Vista Monarchs (10-5) @ #3 Creighton Prep Jr. Jays (13-2)</i></p> <p>The Monarchs will be traveling to The Bird Cage as they take on the 3rd-ranked team in the state. The Monarchs are rolling hot winning 6 of there last 7 games. They are being led by 6’6 junior <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890583" first="Kyle" last="Ingwerson"]</em>. Ingwerson is averaging 13.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per-contest.</p> <p>The Jr. Jays are looking to bounce back from an 77-79 OT loss to Bellevue West. The Jr. Jays won the first match-up against the Monarchs in fashion, winning 62-40. Creighton Prep is being led by <em>[player_tooltip player_id="946019" first="Brendan" last="Buckley"]</em> who’s averaging 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds and <em>[player_tooltip player_id="981701" first="Luke" last="Jungers"]</em> 11 points and 6 rebounds.</p> <p><b><i>Friday, February 5th</i></b></p> <p><i>#8 Millard West Wildcats (12-3) @ #6 Omaha Westside Warriors (11-4)</i></p> <p>The Wildcats are facing Omaha Westside for the first time this season on the road. This will be a must-win game for the Wildcats if they want to be able to host districts. And with the senior star power in <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890478" first="Evan" last="Meyersick"]</em>, <em>[player_tooltip player_id="958185" first="Dom" last="Humm"]</em>, <em>[player_tooltip player_id="958192" first="Ryan" last="Larsen"]</em>, and <em>James Conway</em>, these guys will put up a battle.</p> <p>Omaha Westside has one of the youngest and exciting teams in the Metro. Sophomore <em>[player_tooltip player_id="1013207" first="Tate" last="Odvody"]</em> is leading the Warriors in points and rebounds with 14.2ppg and 5.8rpg, behind is junior <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890572" first="Reggie" last="Thomas"]</em> 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. The Warriors are 6-1 when playing home and will look to add to the winning column.</p> <p><b><i>Saturday, February 6th</i></b></p> <p><i>Lincoln Northeast Rockets (9-5) @ #3 Creighton Prep Jr. Jays (13-2)</i></p> <p>Lincoln Northeast will be making a trip to Omaha to take on #3 Creighton Prep. The Knights have dropped there last two games playing against Grand Island and against Elkhorn South. This will be the Knights last time seeing an ranked opponent until districts come to play. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="890550" first="Pierce" last="Bazil"]</em> is one of the top state leading scorers averaging 20.8 points. Bazil and company will need to show up from the tip to the final buzzer. </p> <p>The Jr. Jays will being playing another worthy opponent this weekend as they host the Knights of Lincoln Northeast. The last time Creighton Prep has lost to Lincoln Northeast, came the 2005-06 season, since then Jr. Jays has been 5-0  head-to-head. This Jr. Jays will look to protect The Bird Cage this Saturday @ 2:30pm.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>