Friday Night Preview: Games to Watch
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An intriguing slate across the state awaits Friday night which includes the season debuts for the Class A schools in Lincoln. Here are some of the matchups you should keep your eye on and previews of each. Game of the…
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Continue ReadingAn intriguing slate across the state awaits Friday night which includes the season debuts for the Class A schools in Lincoln. Here are some of the matchups you should keep your eye on and previews of each.
Game of the Night: Omaha Central vs. Papillion La-Vista South
Two undefeated teams will meet in Downtown Omaha as the Titans visit traditional power Omaha Central. Papio South is led by the trio of 6’7 senior Danair Dempsey Danair Dempsey 6'6" | PF Papillion-LaVista South | 2021 State NE , 6’7 senior Graham Cassout, and 6’4 junior Daniel Brocaille Daniel Brocaille 6'4" | SF Papio South | 2022 State NE . Dempsey is averaging 20 points per game on 77% from the field so far. A lengthy 6’7, Dempsey is incredibly agile and athletic. Cassout has a chance to be one of the biggest breakout candidates of the year. He has started the season averaging 15.5 points game on 59% from the field and 56% from 3 point range. Cassout has great length and a good looking shot. Brocaile is one of the toughest guards in the state, and had a solid summer for Team Factory. He’s a name to watch in the 2022 class. Central is led by one of the top uncommitted 2021 prospects in the state in Denim Johnson Denim Johnson 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2021 State NE who is averaging 15 points a game along with 6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Johnson is possibly the most athletic guard in the state and can jump out of any gym he walks into. Central also features one of the most intriguing 2022 prospects in the state in Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE whose athleticism and consistency from 3 makes him a name to watch for sure. Papio South will have a significant size advantage on Central and I will be very interested to see how the Titans attack Central’s full-court press.
Other Top Matchups
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln North Star
The top two teams in both the Heartland Athletic Conference and the city of Lincoln get to start their seasons facing one another. Pius has the pieces to be dangerous with solid depth across the board and a good amount of size. Sam Hastrieter had a great summer for Lincoln Supreme and will look to carry that momentum into the high school season. Pius will be able to protect the rim with Hastrieter at 6’7, his twin brother Jack, as well as 6’8 senior Blake Daberkow Blake Daberkow 6'7" | C Macclay | 2021 State NE and 6’6 senior Jake Griesen. 6’5 junior Brady Christiansen should see his role expand this year and it could lead to big scoring nights this winter. The Thunderbolt offense will be run by senior point guard Sam Hoiberg Sam Hoiberg 6'0" | PG Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE who has shown the ability to score both inside and out. North Star has one of the better backcourts in the state in Kwat Abdelkarim Kwat Abdelkarim 6'3" | CG Lincoln Northstar | 2021 State NE and Josh Brown Josh Brown 6'0" | CG Lincoln North Star | 2021 State NE . 6’6 sophomore Brennon Clemmons Jr will have plenty of big nights for the Gators this year and is near the top of the board for 2023 prospects in the state.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Southwest
Southeast senior guard Ajantae Hogan Ajantae Hogan 6'5" | CG Lincoln Southeast | 2021 State NE averaged upwards of 20 points a game last season and will once again be a candidate to be one of the top scorers in the state. Southeast’s supporting cast features some very athletic returning multi-sport athletes in guards McGinnes Scheider, Derek Branch, and Jake Appleget Jake Appleget 6'4" | SF Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE . 6’4 senior Taveon Thompson Taveon Thompson 6'4" | PF Lincoln Southeast | 2021 NE had a great summer for OSA Porter and followed it up with a solid football season as well, his athleticism alone will make him an impact player for the Knights. Southwest returns their entire core from last season led by junior guard Jared Bohrer Jared Bohrer 5'10" | CG Lincoln Pius | 2022 State NE who is one of the better shooters in the state. Ben Hunzeker Ben Hunzeker 6'3" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE is the state’s ultimate glue guy, who may not stick out right away, but he is always making the right plays, diving for loose balls, and making the right cuts. Sophomore Rylan Smith Rylan Smith 6'1" | PG Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE also can shoot the lights out from distance and is near the top of our board for 2023 prospects in the state.
Lincoln Christian vs. Grand Island Central Catholic
GICC is one of the more intriguing teams in the state regardless of classification. Doane commit Koby Bales Koby Bales 6'2" | SF Grand Island Central Catholic | 2021 State NE and Russ Martinez man the backcourt. Brothers Dei Jengmer Dei Jengmer 6'9" | C Grand Island Central Catholic | 2021 State NE and Gil Jengmer Gil Jengmer 6'8" | PF Grand Island Central Catholic | 2022 State NE give the Crusaders a post presence that’s very impressive for Nebraska High School teams. Both have received NAIA and GPAC interest. Lincoln Christian will be led by 6’7 Drew Beukelman is a very good athlete and will be coming into this game off a 28 point outing against Lincoln Luthern where his highlight of the night was catching and finishing an emphatic alley-oop dunk. Christian also has a 7’0 junior big man in Easton Marshbanks.