The Nebraska prep basketball season moves on as we near conference tournament season in the next few weeks. That is sure to lead to big shuffles in our Coaches Poll over at nebpreps.com as well as the Power 20 that we pass on below.

We are working on some more content in the coming weeks, including some new state championship ideas you’ll be sure to hate. (Wink emoji) Let’s dive in on a Thursday morning and give you the latest in our thoughts on girls basketball in Nebraska as we head into another huge week of games on the slate.

Nebraska Girls Hoops Power 20

1 - Millard West (13-1): Three more wins and a couple of black eyes for the Cats this week, but the win over Colorado’s Riverdale Ridge in the Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase was gritty as it was impressive. The odds on favorite as we barrel through January. Last ranking: 1.

2 – Bellevue East (9-2): The season opening win over Omaha Westside gets better and better and the win over Millard West is still there. The next big test is tonight against Omaha Westview. Last ranking: 3.

3 - Millard North (10-2): No. 1 in the Class A point standings and another big win over Columbus this week. A huge week ahead of them with Millard South and Westside on the slate. Last ranking: 4.

4 - Omaha Westside (7-4): What a week for the Warriors who have bounced back from a Metro Tournament quarterfinal loss to Bellevue East with three wins including 60-47 over previous No. 2 Lincoln Southwest. Last ranking: 14.

5 - Lincoln Southwest (9-2): After a pair of losses to Bellevue East and Westside, the Silverhawks have a chance to bounce back before the Heartland Athletic Conference tournament at the end of the month. Last ranking: 2.

6 - Omaha Westview (10-1): Is the verdict still out on the Wolverines? Maybe. But wins over Millard South and Lincoln North Star are surely worth something. Prove it games coming up tonight (Bellevue East) and Friday with Marian. Last week: 7.

7 – Millard South (9-4): After a drop last week, the Patriots are back here off a nice win over Lincoln Pius on Saturday. But, the next three are against Millard West, Millard North and Westside. Mercy. Last ranking: 10.

8 - Lincoln Pius X (10-1): If the Bolts are still here (or higher) next Thursday they will have certainly earned it. Papillion-LaVista on Friday and Lincoln Christian on Saturday. That will test anyone. Last ranking: 5.

9 - Omaha Skutt Catholic (11-1): It might take one more loss from the Bolts to move the Skyhawks back past Pius. South Sioux City on Saturday before the River Cities Tournament next week. Last ranking: 6.

10 - Lincoln Christian (11-0): We finally get to figure out if we have the Crusaders right on Saturday when they host Lincoln Pius. Impressive win over Gretna East in the Showcase. Mattea Kassebaum and Kena Ailes would start for any team in the state. Last ranking: 8.

11 – Kearney (9-1): We wish we knew more about the Bearcats (no excuse for us, really), but a move possible for the Bearcats with a win over Lincoln North Star on Tuesday. Last ranking: 9.

12 – Lincoln North Star (7-3): The Gators are back after falling out last week as they bounced back with wins over Omaha Marian and Papillion-LaVista. A big one Saturday at Millard West before they head to Kearney. Last ranking: NR.

13 - Pender (15-0): We know it’s a big jump. But think the score Marian had on Tuesday with Millard West would be similar — if not better — than what Pender could do. They are going to have to keep rolling like they did on Tuesday beating previously unbeaten Homer, 54-28. Last ranking: 16.

14 – Milford (10-1): The big wins have commenced, and they had a similar margin of victory over Malcolm as did Pender. It’s gonna be fun following the Eagles the rest of the year. Their length will cause almost anyone loads of problems. Last ranking: 18.

15 – Omaha Marian (6-6): Three straight losses for the Crusaders, but all to teams ahead of them this week. Wins over Papillion-LaVista and Millard South still have some clout. Last ranking: 12.

16 – Bennington (12-1): A big EMC game with Waverly tonight and the Badgers will need it to stay here. The Vikings and conference mate Norris are knocking on the door of the top-20. Last ranking: 14.

17 - Papillion-LaVista (7-6): A big stretch looms for the Monarchs with three ranked teams in their next four contests. Last ranking: 15.

18 - Gretna East (10-4): Do you evaluate the Griffins with their soccer players or without? Well, a little bit of both, hence the drop after losses to Norris and Lincoln Christian. A week off to get better. Last ranking: 11.

19 - Bellevue West (6-5): Each loss to teams ahead of them in the rankings. Just no place for the Chieftains to move. Last ranking: 17.

20 - Crofton (13-1): No penalty for the Warriors who lost on Tuesday night to South Dakota AA, No. 3 Brandon Valley. Last ranking: 20.

Special Mention (listed alphabetically by class): Columbus (8-4), Lincoln Southeast (4-6), Papillion-LaVista South (4-5), Norris (8-3), Waverly (8-1), Minden (11-1), Guardian Angels CC (10-2), Elkhorn Valley (13-0), Oakland-Craig (13-1).

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Omaha Westside. In a “must win” against Lincoln Southwest senior Kimora Jenkins had 29 points and freshman Himayajo Metoyer had 17 for the Warriors who jumped 10 spots in our Power 20 this week. Contender Papio South and No. 3 Millard North are up next.

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