Winter championship season is in full swing and the Newsletter is just hoping we can make it to mid-March without getting sick. A full Newsletter upon us before we get Class C and D sub-district girls basketball seeding later today.

But, one other quick note before we dive in to another Power 20.

This state bowling thing was completely mindblowing to us on Nebraska Public Television. The amount of pressure those kids face with each roll of the ball, each frame is maddening. And, how they handle it? All of them, with strength and dignity and class. Pure toughness.

If we have said it once we have said it 1,000 times, high school sports — whether it’s a sport you follow or not — teach so many lessons. And, if you have missed a minor sport get out there and watch. You just may just learn something, too.

Nebraska Girls Hoops Power 20

1 - Millard West (19-1): The Cats are operating at a high level right now. Not much else to say. Last ranking: 1.

2 - Millard North (18-2): With the winning streak now at 11, we get a good idea of what the state tournament might look like when they travel to Westview tonight and North Star on Saturday in a December make-up game. Last ranking: 2.

3 – Bellevue East (17-3): In their three-win week, they beat two Power 20 teams (Lincoln Pius and Omaha Central). Surging Bellevue West tomorrow. Last ranking: 3.

4 - Lincoln Christian (21-0): After tonight’s game with Lincoln Northwest, it’s postseason time for the Crusaders. Last ranking: 4.

5 - Omaha Skutt Catholic (21-1): Tuesday night’s 56-50 win over Norris might say more about how the Titans have improved than it would be a bad mark on the Skyhawk resume. Last ranking: 5.

6 - Omaha Westview (18-2): A chance to move back into the top five against Millard North tonight, and another good test at Kearney next week. Last ranking: 6.

7 – Millard South (13-8): Save a 48-47 loss to Marian, each loss is to a team above them in the poll with two more to Iowa powers Waukee Northeast and Bishop Heelan. Last ranking: 7.

8 - Lincoln Pius X (17-4): On a recalibration of the Bolts, we move them ahead of Westside on the head-to-head win from mid-December. An impressive list of wins, too. Last ranking: 9.

9 - Omaha Westside (14-6): The Warriors are 10-2 since the calendar moved to 2025. Last ranking: 8.

10 – Lincoln North Star (14-4): We might have the Gators too low, but it’s where they are for now. They can change the number by beating Millard North and Millard South in succession to finish the regular season. Last ranking: 10.

11 - Gretna East (15-5): The postseason draw could be crucial for the Griffins, who might have to see either Pius or Skutt early in Lincoln if they survive to state. Says here they will. Last ranking: 12.

12 - Bellevue West (12-8): Two big Power 20 wins over Kearney and on Tuesday night against Lincoln Southwest. Coach Dane Bacon’s team seems to be peaking at the right time. Last ranking: 14.

13 – Omaha Marian (11-9): Marian is off until next Tuesday, but it’s a sneaky good Power 20 game with Norris. We’ll have our eyes on it. Last ranking: 15.

14 - Lincoln Southwest (14-6): Now four straight losses for the Silverhawks, who have two more chances in the regular season against Omaha North and Omaha Central. Last ranking: 11.

15 – Milford (19-1): Got an up-close look at the Eagles in their Southern Nebraska Conference title win over Thayer Central. Can’t say they did anything wrong to drop but wins by Bellevue West and Marian cause the move. Last ranking: 13.

16 - Omaha Central (10-11): Gave Bellevue East a tussle in an 88-78 loss and now big opportunities coming up with Lincoln High and Lincoln Southwest before district play. Last ranking: 16.

17 - Papillion-LaVista (11-9): Have not had a game within 25 points in their three-game win streak. Last ranking: 17.

18 – Norris (13-6): Despite the loss to Omaha Skutt on Tuesday, we move them up a spot. A big one against an improving Elkhorn North team on Friday and Marian next Tuesday. Might need both to stay in the rankings. Last ranking: 19.

19 – Kearney (15-3): Three games left, two against Millard West and Omaha Westview. Winning one of them, would get them their first win over a team in the Power 20. Last ranking: 18.

20 - Bennington (17-4): Season splits with Norris and Gretna East keep them here and there isn’t really anyone giving them a push. Maybe Minden, with Pender next. Last ranking: 20.

Special Mention (listed alphabetically by class): Lincoln High (13-5), Waverly (15-3), York (18-2), Minden (20-2), Crofton (19-3), Elkhorn Valley (22-0), Oakland-Craig (19-3), Elm Creek (20-1), Pender (22-2).

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Yutan. Remember when the Chieftains shocked us all by defeating then unbeaten Crofton in last year’s Class C-2 state championship game? Yutan lost Jade Lewis to Millard West, but junior Mylee Tichota is now up to 16 points per game and Amelia Dieckman is at 11. All of the sudden with wins over Malcolm and Bishop Neumann, the Chieftains are 9-1 in their last 10 and 16-5 heading into postseason play.

COACHES POLL: You can catch the coaches poll each Monday (boys) and Tuesday (girls) over on nebpreps.com as well.

BOYS SIDE: Sure, we are more girls basketball than boys but we follow that game, too. Like Tuesday nights big home win for Omaha Skutt over top-ranked Norris in Class B. Our friends Mike Sautter and Jacob Padilla (and the whole nebpreps crew) cover the boys game better than anyone in the state.

Breakthroughs

The opening championship event of the winter sports season is the state dual wrestling tournament in Kearney at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. The event held last Saturday was highlighted by first-time wins from Lincoln East (Class A) and Battle Creek (Class C). Other champions were nationally ranked Omaha Skutt Catholic (Class B) and Burwell (Class D).

Read our full recap in partnership with NEWrestle on the NSAA website. 

The state bowling championships are also being held this week at Lincoln’s Sun Valley Lanes and Games. Team championships have been won in boys by Columbus (Class A) and Lincoln Pius X (Class B). On the girls side, team champions were Norfolk (Class A) and Grand Island Northwest (Class B). Boys brackets | Girls brackets

Individual competition will be held in Class A today. Winners in Class B on Monday were Dylan Jensen (Wayne) and Lauren Moore (Arapahoe).

The Season

Best Thing We Saw

If you have ever had the chance to catch a game in Broken Bow, consider yourself lucky. The Bow Dome is getting a revamp thanks to the awesome people of the Bow community who approved the work. But, some things will be seared in your mind forever.

For me, my game wasn’t even a Bow home game. Though I have seen teams I love on the wrong end of those too many times. My game was a boys district final between Gordon-Rushville and Fort Calhoun in 2023. Both teams brought the whole town to the game. It was a warm late February night — I interviewed Fort Calhoun coach TJ O’Connor outside after the game — and the Bow Dome was rocking.

Here’s hoping the new version is just as good. We know the town will be there.