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OrthoNebraska believes creating the best experience for each patient begins by listening to their healthcare needs, lifestyle and goals to create truly personalized care. At OrthoNebraska, patients are able to see an orthopedic specialist same day across multiple locations, leading to a quick diagnosis and faster return to the things they love. Whether it be sidelining injury or just a desire to perform better, athletes benefit from the comprehensive care and an easier, more confident road to recovery and competing at their best. OrthoNebraska is your team behind the team and a proud supporter of Nebraska high school athletics.

The Girls Hoops Power 20

After a difficult time with the Power 20 last week, we offer just one flip-flop this week in analyzing the top-20 girls basketball teams in the state. More conference tournament finals tonight and we head into the final week of the regular season next week for Classes C and D. Districts in those classes will be seeded on Thursday.

1 - Omaha North (18-3): Big week ahead for the Vikings who continue to impress. They start today with Westside, then road trips to Millard North on Tuesday and Lincoln Southwest on Friday. Last week: 1.

2 - Lincoln North Star (19-1): Gators have won five in a row since losing to Omaha North. Sneaky one with Elkhorn South on Tuesday before finishing with Lincoln Pius and Millard South. Last week: 2.

3 - Bennington (21-0): Man. Super impressed with the Badgers in person on Tuesday. So many athletes all over. Would think not much standing between them and the first Saturday in March. Last week: 3.

4 - Norris (18-2): A really good schedule to finish the season. In their next three games will face Omaha Skutt, Elkhorn South and Omaha Marian. Gonna need 21-2 to keep this spot. Last week: 4.

5 - Millard West (14-4): Sometimes a little break is just what the doctored orders. Beat Lincoln Southwest 47-42 last night. It was the Cats first game since last Thursday. It was the Silverhawks 4th against a Power 20 team. Last week: 5.

6 - Kearney (15-2): Have not played since their 40-38 loss to Southwest in the HAC semifinals. Staying here may require something more. Bellevue West tonight, Millard West and Westview are three of their final five games. Last week: 6.

7 - Milford (20-1): No signs of letting up for the Eagles who have a pair of 30-point wins in the SNC Tournament. Sandy Creek (!!!) tonight for the championship and then again next week to end the regular season. Last week: 7.

8 - Pender (20-1): Nothing more to say here than the EHC final tonight against Oakland-Craig. Familiar faces. Last week: 8.

9 - Malcolm (19-1): The Clippers won their first ever Trailblazer Conference title last Saturday against Wahoo in another meat grinder. Can’t look past Aurora today (who beat Waverly last night) and Adams Central (who beat St. Cecilia this week) to end their season. Last week: 9.

10 - Lincoln Pius X (15-3): Just a win over Bellevue East last night since their loss to Norris. Gretna is up next. Last week: 10.

11 - Omaha Westview (16-5): Six straight wins for the Wolverines who also saw Stella Williams become the first 1,000 point scorer in school history this week. Now, Millard North, Elkhorn South and Kearney to finish. Last week: 11.

12 - Omaha Westside (16-5): Four straight wins for the Warriors, who get their crack at Omaha North today. Last week: 12.

13 - Lincoln Christian (14-1): Seven straight for the Crusaders including wins over Hastings St. Cecilia and Elkhorn North on Thursday. Us silly media types have our eyes on the game with Pender next Thursday. Last week: 13.

14 - Lincoln Southwest (12-7): Gonna give the Silverhawks a break for grinding through a brutal 10-day stretch. But, the game with Bellevue West is pivotal to staying ranked. Last week: 14.

15 - Lincoln High (14-4): The Links — to stay here — need to be 17-4 before they go to play Omaha North to end the regular season. Last week: 15.

16 - Omaha Marian (9-9): Crusaders get a huge 58-55 win over Lincoln Southwest to jump a spot. The only move this week, switching spots with Millard North. Lincoln Southeast tonight to get above .500. Last week: 17.

17 - Millard North (13-6): The Mustangs keep grinding. Huge opportunities next week against Omaha Westview and Omaha North at home. Even just one win will cause a jump. Last week: 16.

18 - Bellevue West (10-8): The next two games will make or break the Birds rankings. A trip home to Kearney today for Dane Bacon and then they host Lincoln Southwest on Tuesday. Last week: 18.

19 - Gretna East (15-5): Now eight in a row for Wade Coulter’s crew. But, don’t ask him. He’ll probably tell you they are 4-16. The Griffins have firmly established themselves as a top-four team in Class B. The loss to Oakland-Craig keeps them down just a bit. Last week: 19.

20 - Papillion-LaVista (12-7): It appears the Monarchs have three more wins to get before they host Lincoln Northeast on February 20th. They may be playing for this spot. Last week: 20.

Watching You (listed alphabetically by class): Elkhorn South (9-9), Lincoln Northeast (12-5), Gothenburg (17-3), Holdrege (17-3), Ogallala (17-2), Omaha Nation (18-2), Alma (21-1), Elkhorn Valley (20-0), Oakland-Craig (19-2).

Here Come The Trophies

Today marks the start of the NSAA winter championship season with the state wrestling duals in Kearney. Next week we have team and individual bowling before individual wrestling and swimming take the stage to end the month. It’s a sprint and a marathon all at the same time.

We are again honored to be doing previews and recaps of each state event on the NSAA website. You can catch the state dual wrestling preview here on your way to Kearney if you like. Thanks for our friends at NEWrestle for their help with our wrestling coverage.

Senior Night

I was in Omaha for work most of the week, but on Monday night I was watching some throw away basketball game and Ella was on the other couch.

“What are you doing,” I asked?

“Writing notes to the seniors,” she said.

Tonight is Senior Night for the five girls who will open these envelopes. I know not what they say and I don’t want to.

What I would like to tell you is how much they have meant to our family. They played with Liv AND Ella. They ran track and played volleyball, they won softball state championships and they shared a basketball with our kids.

But that’s not even the important stuff. Silly things like playing time and wins and losses. The good stuff is the rides they gave home, the hours they spent together in Bible study, the team meals, the bus rides.

I saw a post on Instagram the other night and a football coach had asked his 21 seniors what their favorite moment of high school football was and all 21 of them answered something that WASN’T A GAME.

I think too often we worry about wins and losses — they are important, no doubt — but who our kids get to be around, and who they are for others, is what we really should be thankful for.

Kerry and I are so glad our kids got to play with these five. I can’t wait to see the impact they have on the world.

“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.