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The Girls Hoops Power 20

We start anew and this first poll will always catch some eye rolls we are sure. But, we do the best we can based on a few things: returning players, what we gathered over the summer, jamboree games and, of course, the few results we have to go on so far.

We are going to try to stay consistent and rate teams on Friday each week to preview the weekend and give some credit for those pesky Tuesday and Thursday games that sometimes get missed.

1 - Lincoln North Star (1-0): As talented as we have it seems. Omaha pledge Ani Leu and Nebraska-Kearney commit Kendal Anderson have returned and been joined by Kansas transfer KJ Pinchon who helped lead the Gators to the state volleyball championship game. Big game with Millard North on Saturday.

2 - Millard West (2-0): The defending champions lost a ton of firepower, but return the top player in the state’s senior class in Kylee Paben who is committed to Minnesota. In defeating Omaha North 59-50 on Thursday, the ‘Cats got a second 30-point effort from Paben and 15 points and seven rebounds from Jaelynn Moody.

3 - Omaha Westview (2-0): Traveled to Quincy (IL) for an opening win before turning around and topping Omaha North 71-57 in their first in-state game. Junior Kalyn Bailey has poured in 50 points in the Wolverines first two contents. A looming game on December 22 with Lincoln North Star.

4 - Lincoln Southwest (2-0): Irons is averaging 21.5 points through the first two games and Wayne State pledge Eleanor Griffin 15 points an outing for Coach Tim Barada. A big weekend ahead against Papillion-LaVista South and Kearney.

5 - Norris (2-0): An impressive start to open for the Titans, who led Wahoo 18-0 after one quarter in their last outing. The powerful back court of Landri Gates and Marlee Emerson leads the way, while Ize Tidball is on our short list of players to watch this season. Elkhorn tonight before a game with No. 19 Milford on Tuesday leads them to the Eastern Midlands Conference tournament where they can settle this with…..

6 - Bennington (2-0): The powerful Badgers have a load of talent that will get its first big test tonight when they travel to Elkhorn North. Three players — Harper Bohaboj, Macie Reiner and Skylar Johnson — are averaging double figures for the Badgers.

7 - Omaha North (0-2): Losses to Westview and Millard West are the only two games they will play until the first semester is over next Friday when they travel to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona. That is when the Vikings have multiple transfers eligible that could make them the top team in the state. Until then, they stay here.

8 - Kearney (4-0): The Bearcats 4-0 start gets a big test on Saturday with Lincoln Southwest at home. Kearney’s opening win over Elkhorn South continues to look more impressive by the minute, however.

9 - Malcolm (3-0): With Omaha pledge Halle and sophomore sister Payton Dolliver leading the way, the Clippers have all the look of a Class C-1 title contender. That said, they are going to have to be impressive in the win column to stay here and maybe be nursing an undefeated regular season to stay in the top-10.

10 - Millard North (2-1): An opening loss to Millard West has been followed by strong wins over Elkhorn South and Bellevue West. Maybe the biggest test awaits on Saturday.

11 - Elkhorn South (1-3): Not often you’d see a 1-3 team this high, but Jake Nannen’s team has endured and finally got in the win column on Thursday with a gritty 62-59 win over Omaha Marian in overtime. The losses: Kearney, LSW and Millard North.

12 - Gretna East (2-0): Weekday Wade has the crew off to a 2-0 start and on the winner’s side of the Class A/B Crossover Tournament with an impressive 60-42 win over Lincoln Pius X on Thursday. A city showdown with Gretna tonight after they knocked off Omaha Skutt.

13 - Lincoln Christian (3-0): Like Malcolm, we expect a ton of wins for the Crusaders until we get to postseason time. Three players are in double figures led by junior Sam Dearking for new coach Trey Pittenger. Trust us, the Newsletter has personal experience being on the losing end of games he’s coached.

14 - Elkhorn North (2-0): Big, big home game against No. 6 Bennington tonight could give us a huge grade on the Wolves as they enter a second season with Coach Michael Kroupa. Then Hastings before the EMC Tournament over the holidays.

15 - Omaha Marian (2-1): A Power 20 game with Millard South awaits on Tuesday that will help us grade the Crusaders just a bit more. Had plenty of chances against Elkhorn South and the opening win over Papio keeps them here for now.

16 - Gothenburg (2-0): Super impressed with the Swedes in a 63-31 win over Adams Central on Thursday night where they forced 23 first half turnovers. Most of the teams that Gothenburg plays won’t be able to handle the pressure and pace they produce. Gonna be some ugly scores, but games with Holdrege, Cheyenne (WY) East and Kearney in the next month will sure help.

17 - Papillion-LaVista (2-1): Nice wins over Millard South and Bellevue West after the opening loss to Marian. Tonight’s game with Omaha Westside is a needed one to stay here early in the season. Then a crossover game on Saturday with Gretna East or Gretna.

18 - Pender (2-0): Still uber talented, the Pendragons have not allowed 10 points yet (not a typo). That should change tonight against Class C-2, No. 2 Oakland-Craig. Another game with huge rating implications, both here and with our coaches poll next week. They might see each other a few times before the run to March is over.

19 - Milford (3-0): A good start for the Eagles who may have two of the top posts in the state regardless of class in Ashlynn Miller and Shayla Rautenberg. Can’t look past Lincoln Lutheran and Fairbury, but the Tuesday matchup with No. 5 Norris is especially enticing.

20 - Millard South (2-1): Patriots win a de facto ranking game with Lincoln High 42-39 on Thursday night. We had graded the Links slightly higher than Lincoln Northeast (our next Class A team) based on scores from Blue Springs (MO) last weekend. Still so much basketball left, however.

Watching You (listed alphabetically by class): Bellevue West (0-2), Lincoln High (2-1), Lincoln Northeast (2-0), Omaha Benson (3-0), Omaha Westside (2-1), Blair (3-0), Gretna (3-0), Sidney (2-0), Holdrege (3-0), Ogallala (3-0), Alma (3-0), Crofton (4-0), Elkhorn Valley (4-0), Elm Creek (3-0).

📈📉 Rank ‘Em

The full nepbreps.com Coaches Poll rankings are here for BOYS and GIRLS. Those polls are released Sunday (boys) and Monday each week.

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