The Ruby Five

“Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.

“In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.”

— Grantland Rice, The New York Herald-Tribune, October 18, 1924

On February 16th, 1968, Class A, No. 1 Omaha Central beat No. 2 Creighton Prep, 61-48. In an Omaha World-Herald sidebar, long-time prep sports editor Don Lee described the Eagles.

‘It was a five-man victory with the Rhythm Boys playing all 32 minutes. Willie Frazier, John Biddle, Phil Griffin and Roy Hunter lined up behind the fabulous (Dwayne) Dillard.”

Omaha Central’s Rhythm Boys were born.

— Don Lee, Omaha World-Herald, February 17, 1968

GRAND ISLAND, RUBY AVENUE— The snow was yet to pile up last Friday night when the Grand Island Central Catholic girls hosted Kearney Catholic.

Crusader coach Kevin Mayfield knew a few things heading into another bruising Centennial Conference clash with the neighboring Stars. 

First, was that his team — off to a surprising 10-1 after this 44-29 win and now 11-1 on the season and ranked fifth in Class C-1 — would play their guts out. Most coaches know that luxury in high school sports. It’s why most kids participate.

But it’s the second thing that Mayfield knew — and his opponents now do, too — that makes The Ruby Five just a little bit different. He knew he’d play the whole game without playing a single bench player unless the game was in doubt. 

It’s not a typo. In 12 games the Crusaders have 20 bench points. Against Kearney Catholic, there wasn’t a substitute until the last minute of the third quarter when starting guard Bryndal Moody picked up her fourth foul. 

“They hate me sometimes,” Mayfield quipped after the Kearney Catholic win. “We told them this year that we were going to work harder than we ever have before, mostly because we had to.”

The Ruby Five is two seniors and three juniors. There real names are Maser, O’Boyle, Herbek, Moody and Tibbetts. Together, they are as competitive a quintet as you might find anywhere. Their impressive wins have piled up — Norfolk Catholic, Seward, Columbus Scotus, Minden, St. Mary’s.

The seniors are both bound for college athletics. Post Carolyn Maser will head to Drake to be a setter on the volleyball team, and Avery O’Boyle will play softball at Concordia next fall. 

The juniors — Moody, Anna Tibbetts and Maggie Herbek — are each multi-sport standouts. Herbek for the always powerful Crusader volleyball team. Moody and Tibbetts excel at both softball and in the defensive backfield for the Northwest/GICC soccer team in the spring. 

“They are all the buzz words,” the coach says. “Competitive. Team first. They trust each other and have confidence in their teammates. Sometimes the biggest thing is getting them to have confidence in themselves.”

They each do a little bit of everything, but they all know their role.

Moody leads the team in scoring at 13.6 points per contest and Maser has more rebounds than points (126 rebounds, 116 points) as she nearly averages a double-double. Tibbetts (35) and O’Boyle (33) lead the team in assists and Herbek leads the team in steals (30).

“What does a coach look for in teams,” Mayfield asks. “Well, you need a good point guard, you need some shooters, you need a good post player. And, I only have five girls and we have all of those elements. This group seems to have that it factor.”

As a team, they are shooting above 45% from the floor for the season. They all know what a good shot looks like.

Mayfield is just as proud of a bench that doesn’t see much time but has embraced the team concept. To be fair, participation at GICC is not an issue — they have over 20 out — but only 10 have made the varsity roster. They develop younger, more inexperienced players through a freshman and reserve schedule. Because of injury and illness only eight were suited up against Kearney Catholic.

“Our bench is crucial,” Mayfield said. “One, we practice against them, and they have got to go as hard as they can to give us a good look. And it’s hard for them. Their enthusiasm is their role.

“Jordan Stegman is the epitome of a positive teammate. She’s very vocal and she really gets our team going. We love her for that.”

As winter presses on there will be more big games for GICC, including a weather pending game with York tonight. The Crusaders will win some and probably lose a few more too. It’s just how basketball works.

But what they are doing together and how they are doing it will end up being way more important than wins and losses down the road. Mayfield knows, he thinks they all do.

“They are absolutely great kids,” he said. “I don’t know if I have ever been around a more coachable group. They are determined and focused. They are well-mannered and disciplined. But yet we have fun too.

“They know the line between are we screwing around and having fun. You never know if all that means you’ll be successful, but it’s worked out well for us this year.”

But Mayfield? He’s enjoying the ride the best he can. Until someone says it’s over. He and The Ruby Five.

Our featured content and series “The Season” during the 2023-24 winter sports season is provided by a partnership with Tom Dinsdale Automotive — proud supporters of Nebraska High School athletes.