Chris’s Metro Holiday Basketball Tournament Microupdate (2)
Day 2 at the 60th Annual Metro Basketball Tournament was a beautiful cold day/night with teams eager to qualify for the championship round. I was able to watch three games that day. The earlier games were consolation games for teams…
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Continue ReadingDay 2 at the 60th Annual Metro Basketball Tournament was a beautiful cold day/night with teams eager to qualify for the championship round. I was able to watch three games that day. The earlier games were consolation games for teams who previously lost and the evening games were for the winning teams looking to win the tournament.
Omaha South Packers vs Omaha Burke Bulldogs (Consolation game)
The Packers defeated the Bulldogs 70 to 27. The first quarter ended 16-10 (South) but after that, Omaha South would put intense pressure on Burke and create a 43 point victory. T’andre Perkins T’andre Perkins 6'5" | SF Omaha North | 2023 State NE played great for South putting up 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Isaiah Jackson Isaiah Jackson 6'1" | SG Omaha Bryan | 2023 State NE was also huge for the Packers scoring 12 points, grabbing four rebounds, and 3 steals. Jackson played great defense and had a highlight fastbreak tomahawk dunk. Jacob Martin Jacob Martin 6'0" | PG Millard North | 2023 State NE (South) caught a few fouls early on so his play was limited but he was still able to show off some offensive skills. A great all-around performance from the Omaha South Packers.
Papillion-Lavista South Titans vs Millard West Wildcats (Consolation game)
The Titans would remain in control the entire game against the Wildcats. Daniel Brocaille Daniel Brocaille 6'4" | SF Papio South | 2022 State NE would lead Papillion-Lavista South to a commanding 52-31 victory scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to seal another double-double. Titans freshman guard Reece Kircher Reece Kircher 6'0" | PG Papio South | 2025 State NE scored 8 points off 50% shooting from the field. Trace Thaden tallied 15 points for Millard West, 10 rebounds, and a steal. Thaden played hard despite the tough loss to Papio-South.
Bellevue West Thunderbirds vs Omaha Central Eagles (Semifinal)
This was a great game to witness in person. The T-birds would get away with the victory but not without a strong fight from the Eagles. Josiah Dotzler Josiah Dotzler 6'3" | CG Bellevue West | 2023 State #225 Nation NE (Thunderbirds) poured in 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists/steals. Senior William Kyle William Kyle 6'8" | C Bellevue West | 2022 State NE added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle had his way in the paint and looked like Nebraska’s best big so far this year. John Mitchell had a solid game for Bellevue West shooting 100% from downtown (2 for 2). Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE would score 20 points (9 points off three-pointers), snag four rebounds, dish five assists, and 2 steals. PJ Davis PJ Davis 6'2" | SG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE added another 23 points and played with great energy but the eagles still came up short. Keah Paljor went 100% from the field including one three-pointer. Paljor should take more shots for Central.
Omaha Westside Warriors vs Millard North Mustangs (Semifinal)
Omaha Westside pulled off a big unexpected upset against the returning state champions. Led by the tough-nosed Tate Odvody Tate Odvody 6'4" | SF Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE ‘s 22 points, the Warriors beat the Mustangs convincingly 74-61. Odvody also was 2 for 3 from downtown. Tate gets to the basket and uses his pump fakes effectively, he just knows how to play the game. Senior Warrior guard Chandler Meeks Chandler Meeks 6'1" | CG Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE scored 17 points off 7 for 9 from the field (78%). Meeks looked poised and even had a highlight slam dunk that is trending on social media. I was most impressed with his mid-range game. CJ Mitchell CJ Mitchell 5'10" | PG Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE was a huge reason the Warriors were able to pull away. Mitchell had 14 points off four for six shooting. He also got to the free-throw line 11 times for six makes and 6 rebounds as well. If you take away CJ’s 14 points they lose by 1. For Millard North, Jasen Green Jasen Green 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2022 State #153 Nation NE had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Nick Dolezal Nick Dolezal 6'4" | SF Millard North | 2022 State NE contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. The rest of the Mustangs were pretty quiet and it was very unusual. Expect the Mustangs to come back with a vengeance.