Heartland Hoops Classic Preview Part One

<p><em>The month of February has brought about the tail end of the high school basketball season in Nebraska. The post-season push is well upon us and with only two weekends left in the regular season one of the best basketball events this state has to offer each year returns this weekend. The Heartland Hoops Classic returns for its 15th edition this weekend in Grand Island, kicking off Friday night with a matchup of two national high school powerhouses in Sunrise Christian and Link Academy. Saturday will bring about a full day of hoops at the Heartland Events Center. Seven games in total split into a morning and afternoon session. I will be in attendance on Friday and Saturday for all of the action. Here is a preview of the matchups and players to watch for on Saturday in Session One. </em></p> <p><strong>8 am: Ashland Greenwood vs. Grand island Northwest</strong></p> <p>The Heartland Hoops Classic puts an emphasis on cross-class matchups between Nebraska teams, as well as getting all 3 high schools in Grand Island a showcase matchup of their own. We’ll start the day off by checking both of those boxes as Class B’s GI Northwest hosts one of the top Class C1 teams in Ashland Greenwood. Ashland Greenwood is led by the top uncommitted player in the state in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="890577" first="Cale" last="Jacobsen"]. Not only is he a prolific scorer, but in recent weeks he has showcased his ability as a distributor in the drive and kick game with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1371599" first="Evan" last="Shepard"] and corner specialist [player_tooltip player_id="1371600" first="Max" last="Parker"] on the perimeter. This game will be determined by Northwest’s defensive game plan as the Vikings have struggled so far this season in Class B and will have to focus in on Jacobsen. </p> <p><strong>9:40 am : Osceola vs. Doniphan-Trumbull</strong></p> <p>The second game of the day will be a school from the smallest classification in Nebraska high school basketball, Class D2 Osceola in a game against an opponent two classes above them in Class C2’s Doniphan-Trumbull. Osceola is led by junior multi-sport athlete Isaiah Zelasney who is averaging just over 16 points a game on the season. Doniphan-Trumbull has a quartet of seniors averaging in double figures on the season, led by Ethan Sith and Blake Detamore. Doniphan-Trumbull plays solid, team basketball and they have plenty of experience. </p> <p><strong>11:20 am : Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family vs. Milford</strong></p> <p>Game 3 features two teams that made runs to the state tournament last season and also features some intriguing players that some small schools in the region should keep an eye on in Class C1 Milford and Class C2 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family. Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family jumped up to Class C2 this year and they are one of only two boys teams in the state remaining with an undefeated record on the season. The Sjuts brothers Jacob and Jason lead the way for HLHF and there aren’t many one-two punches like them in Class C2. [player_tooltip player_id="890576" first="Jacob" last="Sjuts"] averages 16 points a game as well as 9 rebounds and 5 assists while [player_tooltip player_id="890573" first="Jason" last="Sjuts"] averages 12 points and 5 assists per game, as well as 3 rebounds. Milford is led by Concordia (NE) commit [player_tooltip player_id="890603" first="Jaxon" last="Weyand"]. </p> <p><strong><em>Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Our Heartland Hoops Classic Preview. </em></strong></p>