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March has passed and it was busy one, so as we begin April we take a look back. We’ll start by giving you a final girls basketball Power 20 for the awesome 2025-26 season that was and then who knows where it goes from there. But, the good news is this — the sports calendar has changed and we have some more stories lined up for you starting on Friday with a new member of the team and some soccer.

As always, thanks for being on this ride with us. We appreciate all the good vibes you send our way for the “different” way we try to bring you Nebraska sports (pretty cool to mix in a little Nebrasketball last week from Baz). So good.

It prompted this text to us from a friend of the Newsletter.

“Chris, great story today! America needs more of what you guys are doing. There should be 3,000 versions of what you are doing all across America reminding us of why our nation fell in love with sports in the first place. So, so good. …you’re keeping hope alive in some of (redacted 😀)-aged coaches who are worried we lost everything that got us in this crazy business.”

We couldn’t agree more. Share with your friends if you like. Your words, however, they come mean the world to us.

The Girls Hoops Power 20

A final wrap on a such an awesome girls basketball season. You may or may not agree with our final Power 20 and that’s okay. We still appreciate you all!

1 - Bennington (28-0): I think many will take a pause at this final ranking, but just know this: the Badgers will be the team to beat when they move up to Class A next year at the start of the season. So we put them here to end 2026. Last ranking: 1.

2 - Lincoln North Star (27-1): The Navigators completed a dream season that ended with the first-ever team state championship in school history. A total team effort that was punctuated with an outstanding defensive effort for three games at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Last ranking: 3.

3 - Omaha North (26-5): A historic season for the Vikings should not be diminished one bit by a title game loss to North Star. North was leading most of the first half before star Jo Metoyer went down with an ankle injury. The Viking ship will be loaded pretty well next year. Last ranking: 2.

4 - Millard West (21-5): The attempt at third straight state title ended in the Class A semifinals to Lincoln North Star, but still another great run for Coach Marc Kruger’s Wildcats who will need to replace Minnesota-bound Kylee Paben. But, everyone else is back. Last ranking: 4.

5 - Omaha Westside (22-6): Despite a quarterfinal loss to Millard West at state, the Warriors stay slightly ahead of Kearney (a semifinalist) based on a strong back half of the season, just four Nebraska losses (three to teams in front) and the win over Omaha North. Last ranking: 5.

6 - Kearney (21-4): A historic season in Buffalo County for the Bearcats who won their first state tournament game since 2008. Their young starting cast could be ready to improve on 2026 next season. Drew Danielson will sleep well this offseason. Last ranking: 6.

7 - Milford (28-1): One of the great small-town seasons we can remember. The Eagles soared to the Class C-1 state title and completed a volleyball, basketball double in the process. You know about Shayla Rautenberg, but the supporting cast that returns — Abby Crabtree, Adalyn Cisneros and Ashlynn Miller — will have the Eagles firmly in the top-10 to open 2026-27. Last ranking: 8.

8 - Malcolm (27-2): Two losses. An all-timer to Milford in the regular season. And another to the same team in the state finals where the Clippers simply ran out of gas. The Dolliver sisters got their one crack together in a historic season in “The Village” that led to Malcolm’s first state title game appearance. Last ranking: 9.

9 - Lincoln Southwest (16-9): A big jump for the Silverhawks, who played round three with Kearney in nailbiting fashion before losing in the opening round in Lincoln, 55-51. Seven of nine losses to teams ahead of them here plus a win over Kearney in the HAC Tournament. Last ranking: 15.

10 - Gretna East (22-6): A late-season surge by the Griffins lands them in the top-10 after a trip to the Class B finals. The all-around play of junior Madi Shelburne made up for the unfortunate loss of standout guard Sophia Lindsey down the stretch as Gretna East upset Norris in the Class B semifinals, 45-43. Last ranking: 16.

11 - Norris (23-4): A season long run in the top-10 falls just short of that mark for Norris, which lost two of their final five games this season. Prior to that it was just two losses to Bennington and a big win over Milford early in the season. A talented nucleus returns. Last ranking: 7.

12 - Lincoln Pius X (21-5): If you want to move Pius up in your rankings, we don’t mind. They played really good teams very, very well. A 43-38 loss to North Star, and they took Bennington to the buzzer in the state semifinals as well. But, hard to ignore the head-to-head losses to both Gretna East and Norris. Last ranking: 10.

13 - Pender (28-2): We are now in 1990s Sandy Creek territory for the Pendgragons won their fourth straight state title. A second in Class C-2 (2023) to go with two in Class D-1 (2024, 2025). The Pendragons took on all comers with just losses to West Central, SD (a Class A state qualifier) and Lincoln Christian. The season punctuated by a big Showcase win over Millard North in Kearney. Last ranking: 12.

14 - Omaha Westview (20-6): A second straight trip to Lincoln for the Wolverines, who played in the Metro Conference final and won their last 10 games before losing to Omaha North in Lincoln. Last ranking: 14.

15 - Millard North (15-10): The Mustangs move back up after earning the wild card berth to Lincoln. The Mustangs, however, defeated just one team that made it to Lincoln — Omaha Westside. Last ranking: 20.

16 - Omaha Marian (14-10): A strong final month for the Crusaders, who gave Kearney all they could handle for about 27 minutes in the district final. Last ranking: 13.

17 - Gothenburg (23-5): A return to the Power 20 for the Swedes who defeated Ogallala and Fort Calhoun in Lincoln to finish third in a loaded Class C-1. Halsey Thomalla had one of the great tournaments in recent memory with 85 points over three games. Last ranking: NR.

18 - Elkhorn Valley (28-1): Another fantastic season for the Falcons that ended with a lone loss to Pender in the Class C-2 state title game. EV has won 56 of 58 games with two Class C-2 title appearances the past two seasons. Last ranking: 17.

19 - Central City (24-4): Let’s analyze the Bison for the first time all year. Excellent group of athletes; many were on the Class C state softball runner-up team. Lost four games by 17 points total. The opponents: Malcolm, Elkhorn Valley and Milford (twice). Their 37-34 meat grinder with Milford was the Eagles closest game in Lincoln. Gave Class C-2 qualifier Centura two of their four losses and in a month where Raymond Central beat fellow state qualifiers Lincoln Christian AND Fort Calhoun, the Bison beat the Mustangs 54-26 in the district final. Last ranking: NR.

20 - Lincoln Christian (24-3): Our final spot comes down to Lincoln Christian (they will hang me in Fort Calhoun) and Papillion-LaVista with the nod going, just barely, to the Crusaders. All based on scores with No. 12 Lincoln Pius X. The Bolts played the two teams on back-to-back nights in mid-January and beat the Monarchs by 13 (on the road) and LC by 10 (at home). Heck, Pius coach Ryan Psota may disagree. He probably does. But, we’re sticking with it. Last ranking: 11.

Watching You (listed alphabetically by class): Bellevue West (14-11), Lincoln High (17-7), Papillon-LaVista (16-8), Fort Calhoun (25-4), Holdrege (22-5), Ogallala (21-5), Raymond Central (19-5), Centura (24-4), Guardian Angels CC (21-8), Oakland-Craig 24-4), Yutan (22-5). Special Mention: Howells-Dodge (22-7), Dundy County-Stratton (28-1).

A Mental Attitude Award

If you know the Newsletter — even just a little — you’ll know the love we have for the Indiana high school basketball tournament. And, heck, the way they do high school sports there in general. Just last Saturday, they finished the state high school boys tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

One of the great things they do each year — in all sports — is the awarding of the “Trester Award” for mental attitude. You can read about the award here. At the beginning of each state tournament school administrators and coaches, select a player from their team to be nominated for this award given at the conclusion of the tournament. While historically, the award is given to a player on the losing team in the finals that is not always the case. Bobby Plump of Milan was the 1954 winner — they turned him into Jimmy Chitwood.

Off and on for many years in Nebraska, I have wondered if an award like this could happen. South Dakota does a similar award called “The Spirt of Su” Award, named after 1992 South Dakota Miss Basketball SuAnne Big Crow. This year, however, I just couldn’t get out of my mind, that this would be a perfect year for an award like this in Nebraska.

The winners — for me — would start and end with Scottsbluff’s Nate Kelley and Malcolm’s Halle Dolliver. We profiled both earlier this month. And as we sign off of a great winter sports season they both epitomize to us exactly what high school sports should be all about.

Before You Go

Our final recaps from the state boys and girls basketball championships can be read at the links.

Also if you missed any of our other recaps you can catch them at the following links: state dual wrestling, bowling, girls wrestling, boys wrestling and state swimming and diving championships.

“Discipline, drive, and dedication. Competitive spirit. A commitment to constant improvement. These qualities make great athletes and coaches. They also make great financial advisors. Northwestern Mutual advisors educate clients to make important decisions to live differently and achieve their goals of financial security. Learn more about joining our team. Karges Financial Group and the Great Plains District are proud supporters of Nebraska high school athletics.