Northeast Nebraska Standouts: 2023 Premier Players

<p class="p1" style="text-align: left">With the high school season in full swing, we have some standout seniors off to hot starts for their final season. Some familiar faces in the northeast Nebraska hoop scene, these 2023s are poised for another big year.</p> <p class="p1" style="text-align: left"><strong>Jaxon Claussen (2023) | 6-1 G/F | Wausa&nbsp;</strong></p> Ask for an uncommitted 2023 prospect who is turning heads to start the season, and I'll give you Jaxon Claussen. Fresh off a 39-point performance in a win over Elgin Public-Pope John, the 6-2 senior finds ways to score the basketball.&nbsp; His combination of freaky bounce and stretch-like arms help him finish around and above the rim. Claussen has scored 20+ points in each of Wausa's first four games averaging 25.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. The left-handed combo guard thrives in slashing opportunities, getting to the basket, or pulling up for a mid-range jumper. Despite common double teams or added help, Claussen has no problem getting an open shot, easily shooting over defenders with his jumping abilities and long arms. The 2023 senior prefers to get to the rim and play off the dribble but has shown to be a more consistent shooter this season. <p class="p1"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1018749' first='Landon' last='Classen']&nbsp; (2023) | 6-2 PG | O'Neill</strong></p> <a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/10/17-Landon-Classen.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1071124 alignright" src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/10/17-Landon-Classen.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="200"></a> The senior from O'Neill is no stranger to varsity basketball in northeast Nebraska. [player_tooltip player_id='1018749' first='Landon' last='Classen'] has been torching defenses for three going on four years, with his unique shooting ability and next-level vision. The 6'2 point guard scored 18.5 points per game last season and has averaged double figures in each of his first three seasons for the Eagles. Classen is a knockdown shooter with serious range. He shows the ability to catch and shoot or pull up off the dribble from anywhere on the court. Classen's deadly stroke from three opens the court for the Eagles' offense, stretching out defenses and opening up driving lanes. The 6'2 junior can get by defenders and finish at the hoop or drop it off to an open teammate. Classen averaged over five assists per game as a sophomore and junior. After a solid three years leading the O'Neill offense, keep your eye on Classen and the Eagles for his senior campaign. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1018715' first='John' last='Mitchell III']&nbsp; (2023) | 6-1 CG | Creighton</strong> <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/John-Mitchell-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1026915 alignleft" src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/John-Mitchell-2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="200"></a></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1018715' first='John' last='Mitchell III'] is a familiar name for high school basketball fans across Nebraska. Mitchell burst onto the scene as an underclassman for the Creighton Bulldogs back in 2020 and 2021. Talk about elite scoring ability, Mithcell III scored 61 in a game as a sophomore (tied for 8th all-time on Nebraska single-game scoring record) and would tally 1,056 points in his freshman and sophomore seasons for Creighton. After transferring to Bellvue West for his junior season, Mithcell III is back at Creighton for his final prep season. Mitchell has a unique skill set for northeast Nebraska, with strength, athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ. Mitchell III can score the ball about any way he wants for Creighton. His strength and athleticism also make him a force on the defensive end being able to guard multiple positions. With one of the top guards in the state transferring from Class A Bellvue West to Class D2 Creighton, look for the Bulldogs and Mitchell III to light up the scoreboard all season long. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300951' first='Brendyn' last='Ollendick']&nbsp; (2023) | 6-1 CG | Elkhorn Valley</strong> Another guard putting up numbers to start the 2022-23 season is Elkhorn Valley senior [player_tooltip player_id='1300951' first='Brendyn' last='Ollendick']. The 6'1 senior has a versatile skillset offensively and is one of the best scorers in the area. Ollendick is averaging 24.5 points helping propel his squad to&nbsp; 3-0 start to the season. A knockdown shooter with the ability to finish in multiple ways at the hoop, Ollendick is tough on defenses. On the defensive end, he is averaging a whopping 5.5 steals per game. While typically playing at the top of the zone or in the backcourt during the press, Ollendick's anticipation has forced plenty of turnovers leading to easy buckets. <strong>&nbsp;Jaxson Bernecker (2023) | 6-5 F | Hartington Cedar Catholic</strong> It's not just guards putting up numbers and helping their teams to victories so far this season. Hartington Cedar Catholic big man Jaxson Bernecker is back for his senior season and manning the middle for a talented HCC team. Bernecker uses his strength and mobility to give opponents fits inside. Offensively, he does a great job fighting for position on the block and scoring with either hand. Bernecker is tough on the boards, cleaning up defensive rebounds and attacking the glass for second-chance points. Defensively, you aren't going to push around the 6'5 post player. Bernecker can lock down post players on the block while providing help defense in the lane without fouling. Bernecker, a second-team all-state selection as a junior, filled up the stat sheet in a recent victory over O'Neill with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.