Chris’s Nebraska Boys High School Basketball Opening Week Recap

<p>Opening week for Nebraska high school basketball popped off and as suspected, there is a tremendous amount of talent in the cornhusker state. Returning players showed their improvement while new names emerged! Some teams even had the opportunity to host a scrimmage right before opening night to serve as a warmup. They shouldn’t have done that because when I tell you these high school students came to play, THEY CAME TO PLAY! Last season set the bar higher than ever for Nebraska student-athletes this year, due to graduates Hunter Sallis (Gonzaga), Chucky Hepburn (Wisconsin), Saint Thomas (Loyola-Chicago), and many more reaching an agreement with the NCAA/NJCAA. Athletes having a real-time connection to the players stated helps current high school athletes strive harder. Helps them have even more confidence to believe they can also reach the next level. Below are the names of athletes that came out of the gate full throttle, ready to do what it takes to make basketball more than just a high school memory.</p> <p><br /> *Players to Watch*</p> <p><br /> Tyrese Lovejoy Jr. | 6’2"| 160 lbs | Junior | Waltwill High BluJays</p> <p>Tyrese scored 48 points in his opening act. He also had 4 steals, a rebound, and one assist. His team tallied 102 points overall. Lovejoy is in his junior season and sees action at both guard positions. Any player, regardless of location, scoring 48 points in a game will continue to improve and be a strong candidate for a collegiate program. Keep an eye on Tyrese.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1031437" first="Mason" last="Strong"] | 6’1" | 165 lbs | Senior | Omaha North Vikings</p> <p>Mason poured in 33 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a rejection opening night. Strong has a reputation for stellar play in previous seasons. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the best guards in the state because he sure played like it opening night.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1013209" first="Josiah" last="Dotzler"] | 6’3" | 185 lbs | Junior | Bellevue West Thunderbirds</p> <p>Dotzler dropped 22 points in their first game, shooting 67% from the field. He followed up that performance with 13 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. Dotzler has a picture-perfect jump shot (pictured above). A returning state champion, look for Josiah to continue to push the championship pedigree for the Thunderbirds.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1300999" first="Jadyn" last="Cascio Jensen"] | 6’2" | 165 lbs | Sophomore | Bellevue West Thunderbirds</p> <p>Looking for a shooter? Jadyn has a beautiful jump shot from mid/long range. A sophomore with NBA range early in his campaign. Cascio Jensen also boxes out well and grabs a decent amount of rebounds per game. He went a flawless 3 for 3 from downtown in his first game and 50% from 3 point land in his second game. This young man will continue to impress.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="890572" first="Reggie" last="Thomas"] | 6’1" | 180 lbs | Senior | Omaha Westside Warriors</p> <p>Reggie is an athletic guard that has an all-around skill set. In the first two games, he has averaged 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He’s very active and tough-nosed. The senior guard had a very nice two-handed slam dunk against Columbus that had the crowd going crazy.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1018812" first="David" last="Harmon"] | 6’3" | 185 lbs | Senior | Millard North Mustangs</p> <p>David increased his stock over the summer. Since the season has started, Harmon’s stock has increased even more. Posting 24 points against the Westside Warriors and 11 against Lincoln High. He is the type of guard that can be trusted down the stretch. He has excellent experience throughout his high school career and has had the chance to already be around top-rated talent and coaching.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1152113" first="Jacob" last="Martin"] | 6’1" | Junior | Omaha South Packers</p> <p>Jacob has emerged onto the Nebraska basketball scene in the past year. Martin is a shifty junior guard that plays with lots of energy. He’s been scoring in bunches all summer and continued his reign into opening night, documenting 18 points in the season opener. Jacob had 15 points in his second contest. Martin is a great passer and always seems to find his teammates for easy lay-ups and wide-open shots. Great kid with a great future.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1018738" first="Connor" last="Millikan"] | 6’1" | 165 lbs | Sophomore | Platteview High Trojans</p> <p>Connor is continuing his offensive showcase from the previous year as a freshman! He was second in the state in scoring last season, with 26 points per game. After two games this season Millikan is averaging 29 points and eight rebounds per contest. If he keeps this up, he can go down as one of the greatest Nebraska high school scorers in Cornhusker history.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="890610" first="Antone" last="McNair"}] | 6’2" | 170 lbs | Senior | Omaha Benson Bunnies</p> <p>Antone came out guns blazing in his season opener against Omaha Burke, scoring 34 points. Then Mcnair put up an additional 16 points against Omaha Central in a tough loss. He can score in several ways. The senior combo guard has made a huge improvement from last year and looking to lead the Bunnies to a successful season.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1131121" first="Neal" last="Mosser"] | 6’3" | Sophomore | Millard North Mustangs</p> <p>Neal can flat-out shoot the basketball. He also has great ball-handling skills and plays the game with good energy. He shot 100% from three-point land in his last game against Westside. Don’t sleep on Mosser, he’ll catch fire or drop a dime to a teammate.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1300952" first="T’Andre" last="Perkins"] | 6"5"| 180 | Junior | Omaha South Packers</p> <p>T’Andre is a great addition to any team. He can play guard and has the size to play the forward position too. After the first two games, Perkins leads the state in blocked shots with 4 per game (9 points per game). He is the type of player that gets the team going, hustles on defense, and swings the ball on offense to keep the team fundamentally sound. T’Andre is extremely coachable and very athletic. He can handle the ball as well too. Perkins is a vicious opponent.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1235599" first="Nick" last="Dolezal"] | 6’5" | Senior | Millard North Mustangs</p> <p>After the first two games of the season, Nick is averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game. The senior forward has great hands, moves his feet well, and is team-oriented. He had a two-handed reverse dunk against Omaha Westside that left all of us pumped up. Nick is also a pretty good three-point shooter. He has a strong all-around game.</p> <p><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="890577" first="Cale" last="Jacobsen"] | 6'4" | 190 lbs | Senior | Ashland-Greenwood Bluejays</p> <p>Cale is no doubt one of the top two guards in the state of Nebraska. He missed last season due to an injury. You wouldn't be able to tell he was injured by the way he played opening night! Jacobsen had multiple fast-break dunks and showed why he is one of the best guards in the state. He is physically fit and definitely ready for the next level. Be prepared to see a phenomenal season from Cale.     </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>