Eastern Midlands Conference Preview
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We’re bouncing around the state and seeing what this year has in store. Let’s take a look at the always competitive EMC. Conference Commentary Top Ten: Waverly, BenningtonĀ The top ten in Class B is looking really wide open afterā¦
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Continue ReadingWe’re bouncing around the state and seeing what this year has in store. Let’s take a look at the always competitive EMC.
Conference Commentary
Top Ten: Waverly, BenningtonĀ
The top ten in Class B is looking really wide open after the loss of so many incredible players to graduation. Nonetheless, there are still teams with solid talent bases that will compete weekly. As of now, I have Waverly and Bennington as locks in my preseason top ten. The Vikings lose Andrew Heffelfinger Andrew Heffelfinger 6'1" | SG Waverly | 2021 State NE but his little brother AJ should be ready to step up and take on a larger role. AJ wonāt be alone in that endeavor though. Cole Murray Cole Murray 6'2" | SG Waverly | 2022 State NE returns and the three-sport stud will be one of the leaders of the squad. Preston Harms Preston Harms 5'11" | PG Waverly | 2023 State NE is going to have a breakout season and the Vikings have a pair of solid bigs down low in Hogan Wingrove and Drew Miller. They are always a scrappy squad but they wonāt be sneaking up on anyone this year. I wouldnāt be surprised if they made another deep tourney run this season. I really like Benningtonās squad. Austin Holtz Austin Holtz 5'10" | CG Bennington | 2022 State NE is one of the best players in Class B and I have him tabbed as my Preseason Conference Player of the Year. This dude can flat-out go on offense, and heās one of the most fun players to watch when he catches fire. While Holtz will be the player that most scouting reports key in on, keep an eye out for Isaac Conner Isaac Conner 6'3" | SF Bennington | 2023 State NE . Heāll be the engine that keeps the Badgers rolling. Conners plays an undersized big for them but is such a strong player that he holds his own. He handles all of the dirty work and does it at a high level, his intensity really caught my eye this summer. The Badgers went .500 a season ago but I predict a lot more wins coming their way this season, watch out!Ā Ā
Top Ten Potential:Ā Blair, Elkhorn North
After a Cinderella run to state last season, Blair is one year better and should have a stronger squad. Theyāve got some solid shooters in their backcourt in Luke Ladwig Luke Ladwig 5'11" | SG Blair | 2022 State NE and Kip Tupa. If their state-run last year has the returners playing with a lot of confidence, the Bears could find themselves right back on the grandest stage in Nebraska. Elkhorn North had no seniors so everyone is back for the Wolves. Brandon Orgilbold Brandon Orgilbold 6'1" | SG Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE will get a lot of buckets this season and ditto for Jack Lusk Jack Lusk 6'4" | SF Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE . If that senior duo puts together a big-time campaign this year, the Wolves could have a special season in only their second year of existence.Ā
Compete with Most: Elkhorn
The Antlers lose a lot from a team that was in the state championship last season. Luckily for them, they return one of the best players in the class in Dane Petersen Dane Petersen 6'4" | PF Elkhorn | 2022 State NE . Petersen is an uber-athletic wing that plays with a super high motor. These are some great qualities to have when you play in Elkhornās vaunted zone. Petersen is going to get a lot of blocks, steals, and dunks this year. If you have a chance, catch an Antler game, because Petersen is always primed to make a jaw-dropping play.Ā
Rebuilding: NorrisĀ
This was a senior-laden squad that dominated in Class B last season. Theyāll be a lot younger this year but Lincoln Southwest transfer Myles Hoehne Myles Hoehne 6'2" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE will be a solid player for them.Ā
21-22 Conference Predictions
- Waverly
- Bennington
- Blair
- Elkhorn North
- Elkhorn
- Norris
Preseason Player of the Year
Austin Holtz Austin Holtz 5'10" | CG Bennington | 2022 State NE (Bennington)Ā
Preseason All-EMC Team
(Note: I went with six players and chose them regardless of what position they play)
- Austin Holtz Austin Holtz 5'10" | CG Bennington | 2022 State NE (Bennington)
- Luke Ladwig Luke Ladwig 5'11" | SG Blair | 2022 State NE (Blair)Ā
- Cole Murray Cole Murray 6'2" | SG Waverly | 2022 State NE (Waverly)
- Brandon Orgilbold Brandon Orgilbold 6'1" | SG Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE (Elkhorn North)
- Dane Petersen Dane Petersen 6'4" | PF Elkhorn | 2022 State NE (Elkhorn)Ā
- Jack Lusk Jack Lusk 6'4" | SF Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE (Elkhorn North)