From Fall to BBall: Two-Sport Ballers
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Nebraska is full of athletes who compete in multiple sports during their high school tenures. In this article, we will be exploring some of these special athletes, who showed out on the football field in the fall and have now…
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Continue ReadingNebraska is full of athletes who compete in multiple sports during their high school tenures. In this article, we will be exploring some of these special athletes, who showed out on the football field in the fall and have now taken their talents into the gym to shine!
Isaiah Zelasney
Isaiah Zelasney
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Zelasney only played in five football games in the 2022-23 season but amassed almost a 1000 total yards with 19 touchdowns. His speed, athleticism and physicality has translated well to the basketball court this season. He currently is fifth in the state in scoring, averaging 23.3 points per game. Zelasney’s quick first step can leave defender’s wearing cinderblock shoes with multiple ways to finish around the rim. His ability to create turnovers, 2.7 steals per game, allows him to use his speed to get out in the open for easy buckets. Against Lincoln Lutheran, Zelasney scored 37 points while shooting 70% from the field. With multiple college offers to compete in track, Zelasney’s physical abilities are shining, and it should only be a matter of time before more notice he is a special athlete.
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The big frame of Gustafson has given opponents fits on the field and the court this year. In the fall, Gustafson averaged 194 yards per game while accounting for 37 touchdowns for Osceola, most of which came on the ground. His size and speed are a combination that makes scouts drool at the possible potential. On the court, Gustafson is averaging a double-double this year, with 21.1 points and 13 rebounds per game. His physicality is hard to match in the painted area, as he seems to thrive with contact. He moves fluidly up and down the court and has good hands on the offensive and defensive end. Only a junior, Gustafson should become a hot prospect for any college that values size, strength and speed, and the potential that lies with it.
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A leader between the sidelines both outdoors and indoors, Frank is a physical guard and a team leader for Malcolm. Coming off a football season with over 1600 yards passing and 1300 yards rushing, with 42 touchdowns. Frank has hit the court with the same aggressive mentality from the huddle. Averaging 23.1 points per game, Frank is a relentless attacker who has brims with confidence in his abilities. Frank serves as one of the primary ball handlers and decision makers. He has a strong basketball I.Q. and leads by the effort he displays, then expects others to follow with the same intensity. No matter the sport, Frank’s speed, athleticism, competitiveness and ability to lead stands out. These qualities make him an excellent prospect that colleges should have on their radar.
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The next prospect on the list is only a sophomore. As a Quarterback, Anderson threw for over 2000 yards with 20 touchdowns this past fall. Anderson is a strategic thinker and is the motor of the Oakland-Craig offensive attacks in both sports. Anderson becomes whatever the team needs him to be to win games. On the year, Anderson is averaging 9.9 points, 6.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, and has had two triple doubles on the season. He thrives making decisions with the ball and displays an effort that is contagious for his teammates. Anderson has a solid 6’3″ frame and has shown he can get to the basket through contact. His physical attributes will only get stronger, and if he works on his ability to put the ball in the basket, we could be looking at a solid prospect for the 2025 class.
Jax Biehl
Jax Biehl
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Biehl has a quick trigger in the pocket and on the court. He torched his class with almost 2600 passing yards with 32 touchdowns during the football season and has been lighting up the scoreboard this winter with four 20+ point games, including a 37-point performance against Superior. For the basketball season to date, he is averaging 18 points and 2+ assists, rebounds and steals per game. Biehl has excellent length which makes it tough to challenge his shots. As mentioned, he has a quick trigger and shoots well from deep but has shown a strong ability to take defenders off the dribble to finish near the rim. Biehl knows how to move without the ball, but his gunslinger mentality has him ready to put up a shot as soon as he touches it. An underrated prospect for the 2023 class, Biehl should turn some heads this season due to how he can put the ball in the basket.