Class A State Tournament Preview
GAME 1: #1 Millard South (26-1) vs. #8 Lincoln Southwest (18-8) LOCATION: Pinnacle Bank Arena TIME: 2:00 PM KEY PLAYERS FOR MILLARD SOUTH: The Patriots have perhaps the two best players in the entire state on their roster in the senior…
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Continue ReadingGAME 1: #1 Millard South (26-1) vs. #8 Lincoln Southwest (18-8)
LOCATION: Pinnacle Bank Arena
TIME: 2:00 PM
KEY PLAYERS FOR MILLARD SOUTH: The Patriots have perhaps the two best players in the entire state on their roster in the senior duo of South Dakota commit Maddie Krull Maddie Krull 5'10" | PG Millard South | 2020 State NE (14.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.5 spg) and Creighton commit Jayme Horan Jayme Horan 5'11" | SF Millard South | 2020 State NE (14.8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.5 spg). They are supported by a dynamic foursome of freshman in Cora Olsen, Mya Babbitt, Khloe Lemon and Juliana Jones, who combine for 32 points a night. A season-ending injury to sophomore Megan Belt Megan Belt 5'7" | PG Millard South | 2022 State NE has forced coach Bryce Meyers to adjust his rotations, but the Patriots are on a mission to bring home that elusive state title.
KEY PLAYERS FOR LINCOLN SOUTHWEST: Like Class B, the eight seed is perhaps one of the hottest teams in the state and could prove to be a difficult match-up for the #1 seed. The SilverHawks have been rolling with a stiflying defense that has lead them to wins in 14 of their last 16 contests. State sprinting champion Kate Dilsaver (13 ppg) leads Southwest, and it should be a great match-up between her and Krull. If Southwest can take care of the ball and control tempo, they have a chance to make this opening game very interesting.
GAME 2: #4 Lincoln Pius X (23-1) vs. #5 North Platte (19-4)
LOCATION: Pinnacle Bank Arena
TIME: 3:45 AM
KEY PLAYERS FOR LINCOLN PIUS X: The Thunderbolts have been outstanding all season long, but were thrown a scare in the district championship game by Lincoln Northeast. South Dakota State commit Alexis Markowski Alexis Markowski 6'3" | C Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE (21 ppg, 12 rpg) has been the dominant post player in the state, and she has been fed the ball all season long by junior point guard Jill Aschoff (11 ppg, 5.5 apg). They are supported by freshman Adison Markowski (6.9 ppg) and senior Laruen Taubenheim (8.3 ppg). The ‘Bolts are primed and ready to make a run at their first Class A state championship.
KEY PLAYERS FOR NORTH PLATTE: The Bulldogs have been a surprise this season on the Class A landscape, defeating a redhot Millard West squad in their district championship game, and they have a team that could physically match-up fairly well with Pius. Point guard Gracie Haneborg Gracie Haneborg 5'4" | PG North Platte | 2021 NE (18.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4 apg, 5 spg) is a stat stuffer, and only a junior, while senior Callie Haneborg Callie Haneborg 5'2" | PG North Platte | 2020 State NE chips in nine points a night. On the inside, 6’1″ junior Abby Orr Abby Orr 6'1" | PG North Platte | 2021 State NE (9.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and 6’0″ freshman Carly Purdy (10.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) will try to match up with Markowski. If North Platte can survive the adrenaline of the first few minutes of the contest, could they make this one interesting?
GAME 3: #2 Omaha Westside (22-4) vs. #7 Fremont (17-6)
LOCATION: Pinnacle Bank Arena
TIME: 7:00 PM
KEY PLAYERS FOR OMAHA WESTSIDE: Westside rode the wave of the math to jump to the #2 seed. The Warriors, who have been one of the more consistent teams in the state, have played well the last month, winning 11 of their last 12. Illinois State commit Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor (15.1 ppg, 10.7 rpg) anchors the paint, while Rockhurst commit Ella Wedergren Ella Wedergren 5'10" | SF Westside | 2020 State NE (13 ppg) runs the point. To be successful throughout the weekend, the Warriors will need their supporting cast to play well, including senior Brooklyn James (7.1 ppg). McGinnis-Taylor will also have to stay out of foul trouble for them to make a sustained run.
KEY PLAYERS FOR FREMONT: Legendary coach Kelly Flynn leads a new program to the state tournament, but he will have them ready to play. Taylor McCabe Taylor McCabe 5'9" | CG Fremont | 2022 State NE (20.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is perhaps the state’s best overall prospect, and she is just a sophomore. Fort Hays State commit Sydney Golladay (11.3 ppg, 5 apg) is an outstanding point guard and will control the tempo to the Tigers liking. Junior Charli Earth Charli Earth 5'9" | PF Fremont | 2021 State NE (10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg) is the glue that holds the Tigers together. If they can contain McGinnis-Taylor in the paint and shoot well, they have a shot to move forward in the bracket.
GAME 4: #3 Lincoln East (22-3) vs. #6 Papillion LaVista (20-5)
LOCATION: Pinnacle Bank Arena
TIME: 8:45 PM
KEY PLAYERS FOR LINCOLN EAST: The Spartans are perhaps the deepest team in the field, consistently playing ten players a night, lead by the terrific combination of Charly Boviard (12 ppg) and Taylor Searcey Taylor Searcey 5'9" | SF Lincoln East | 2020 State NE (12.4 ppg). The attacking, pressing style of the Spartans can be difficult to handle, especially on a short turnaround, and they have been harder to kill than a zombie herd on “The Walking Dead”, mounting numerous 4th quarter comebacks throughout the season. Lincoln East owns an eight point win earlier this season against the Monarchs, and they hope to sweep the season series.
KEY PLAYERS FOR PAPILLION LAVISTA: Morningside College commit Olivia Boudreau Olivia Boudreau 5'9" | SG Papillion LaVista | 2020 State NE (15.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) commands the perimeter for the Monarchs, while Rockhurst commit Lindsey Ingwerson Lindsey Ingwerson 6' | PF Papillion Lavista | 2020 State NE (16.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg) has been dominant in the paint all season. However, the supporting cast has, at times, been inconsistent for the Monarchs, and they will need players like junior Jenna Hoelschner (5.4 ppg) and sophomore Brooklyn Wrice (4.3 ppg) to be consistent contributors for Papio to make a long run this weekend.
CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS: Millard South over Lincoln Southwest, Lincoln Pius X over North Platte, Fremont over Omaha Westside, Lincoln East over Papillion LaVista
SEMI-FINAL #1: This is the game that the state has been waiting for all season. This could be an instant classic that folks will be talking about for a while. There are so many subplots; will Millard South’s pressure disrupt Pius X’s disciplined system? Does Millard South have a match-up inside for Alexis Markowski Alexis Markowski 6'3" | C Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE ? Will Markowski be able to play perimeter defense on Millard South’s five skilled players? Will Millard South’s freshman step up on the biggest stage? What X’s and O’s adjustments will both coaching staffs make?
This is so tough to call, but on this stage, I tend to lean more towards the team that can play at multiple tempos more easily, which would be Pius. I think Millard South will have trouble matching up against Markowski, and I trust lay-ups more than 3’s on this stage. Regardless, get your tickets early, as this is going to be a great game.
SEMI-FINAL #2: These two teams have already played this season, with Lincoln East winning by six. The difference in this game could be experience; Lincoln East has been on this stage before and have six seniors that contribute to their team, while Fremont will be treading into uncharted waters. I also think that the Spartans are a little more prepared for this situation and will have a little bit easier first round match-up than Fremont. However, Fremont has the best player on the floor and if McCabe gets going early, she will be tough to stop. My pick is with Lincoln East in a high-scoring battle.
FINALS: An all-Lincoln matchup is a rematch of two previous meetings, with Pius being the victor in both contests by double digits. However, this one will probably be a bit different. I think that whomever comes out of the first semi-final will have used a tremendous amount of energy and may be a half-step behind on Saturday, which would favor Lincoln East. I do think that Pius’ point guard play will neutralize the Spartan full court pressure, and Markowski will be too much to handle on the blocks for Lincoln East. Look for Lincoln Pius X to cut down the nets just a few miles away from home Saturday evening.