The Season

The stories that can be told during a high school sports season are many. The lessons, generally, are about way more than winning and losing. They are the towns. The schools. The players and the thrill of being on a team with your best friends. High school sports are way more than results, but those matter too.

Last night we dropped our “intro” video for The Season, where we will follow four Nebraska high school basketball teams throughout the year and bring you inside what it’s like to be a player and a coach (heck, maybe the bus driver) during a basketball season.

We can’t wait to share these stories. We hope you’ll enjoy them.

The Girls Hoops Power 20

The Power 20 rolls on in week two of the season as we work on the rankings while watching a big one — No. 1 Elkhorn North and No. 2 Bellevue West. Who knows if it will stay that way. All records through games played last night, December 12. We make these rankings based on conversations with coaches throughout the state, by watching games, and with our gut if we are being honest.

1 - Elkhorn North (4-0): Solidified their spot with a 67-52 win over Bellevue West on Tuesday night. Britt Prince scored 18 points in the first quarter — 35 in all — as the Wolves bolted to a 21-11 lead. Last week: 1.

2 - Millard West (4-0): The ‘Cats jumped to No. 1 in our Class A Coaches Poll after Pius' win over Bellevue West. The first real big test will be the Metro Holiday Tournament. Last week: 5.

3 - Bellevue West (3-2): Despite the loss to Elkhorn North we leave the Birds here. After being down 10 at half, got the lead trimmed to five a couple of times before the Wolves pulled away. Now a road trip to Minnesota. Last week: 2.

4 - Omaha Skutt Catholic (2-0): After scoring 75 in their opener, the Skyhawks beat South Sioux City (a possible B semifinalist) 79-59 on Tuesday. Last week: 3.

5 - Millard North (3-1): Had a look to beat Bellevue West last Thursday night that didn’t fall. Sneaky tough one Friday against Omaha Benson. Last week: 4.

6 - Omaha Central (6-0): Overriding our coaches poll here just a little bit because we think that Harrisburg, South Dakota win might be a little better than you think. The No. 1 team in the Rushmore State. Last week: 7.

7 - Lincoln Pius X (1-1): After losing a close one to Millard North on opening weekend, the Bolts get a 55-50 win over Bellevue West. Can’t overlook Omaha Westview this weekend. Last week: 9.

8 - Lincoln North Star (3-1): Squeaked by Papillion-LaVista South over the weekend and just one more game before break and then the HAC Tournament which may help us sort things out. Last week: 6.

9 - Lincoln Southwest (4-0): We will really get to evaluate the Silverhawks next Tuesday night when they play Pius. The Bolts jump ahead this week on the Bellevue West win. Last week: 8.

10 - Lincoln Northeast (3-1): A pair of routes by the Rockets last week. Next big evaluation will be the HAC Tournament over Christmas break. Last week: 10.

11 - Bellevue East (3-1): Three nice wins to start the season and played Millard West well in a 61-52 loss. Last week: 13.

12 - Omaha Marian (2-1): Despite a loss to Lincoln Southeast, the coaches didn’t move the Crusaders so we are going to trust them for now. Last week: 11.

13 - Papillion-LaVista (3-1): Seems a good spot for the Monarchs, who lost to Marian 65-63 on opening weekend and won two more this week. Last week: 12.

14 - Lincoln Christian (4-0): The win against Seward made even more impressive after seeing the Jays in person. Unbeaten GICC on Friday. Last week: 15.

15 - Bennington (3-1): Moved up despite a loss to Elkhorn North. Why? It was only 69-42. Last week: 17.

16 - Lincoln Southeast (2-1): Big win over Marian and a chance to be 5-1 heading into the HAC Tournament. Will need to be to stay here. Last week: NR.

17 - Beatrice (5-0): We were watching the Lady Orange and then on Tuesday night, they blew the doors off of what we think is a pretty good Platteview team. Now, two in a row against Malcolm (who will be madder than hornet's nest) and Minden. Last week, NR.

18 - Papillion-LaVista South (1-3): Yes, we see the record. But the losses are up ahead in the rankings. Just need to put some wins on the board now. Last week: 18.

19 - Seward (4-1): Coach B will despise me for this one, but what the heck. Impressed with their length and athleticism last weekend. Now a de-facto play-in (or stay alive) game with Norris. Upcoming schedule is a beast. Last week: NR.

20 - Crofton (6-0): Coach Maggie Moon’s Warriors may have the biggest “small school” win in the state over Guardian Angels Central Catholic. Started off a big week with a thumping of Cedar Catholic on Tuesday night. Last week: NR.

Fell out: Gretna, Waverly, Malcolm, Norris.

Up Next (listed alphabetically by class): Columbus (3-2), Elkhorn South (2-2), Gretna (1-3), Omaha Benson (2-1); Omaha Westside (2-2), Omaha Westview (3-2), Norris (3-1), South Sioux City (3-2), Waverly (3-1), Adams Central (5-0), Malcolm (4-1), Bishop Neumann (3-0), Pender (6-0).

The Rankings

Each week our Tony Chapman will compile the girls basketball coaches poll and Mike Sautter the boys poll for nebpreps with help from coaches around the state. All season long, you can also catch game reports from Jacob Padilla for some of the best basketball content in the state.

ALL HOOPS THE SCORES: BOYS // GIRLS