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The Girls Hoops Power 20

The calendar has flipped and a New Year is upon us. The basketball is about to heat up. We have a huge day ahead of us (we’ll try to highlight some big weekend games) and next weekend’s Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase will have at least one game that could have a huge impact on our rankings.

The Friday ranking is upon us, but so are the Metro semifinals today as well as some big games in the Heartland Athletic Conference. These rankings will get us caught up from what’s happened over the holiday, but next week we’ll dig in for a real deep dive as we head down the home stretch.

1 - Lincoln North Star (6-0): In their 6-0 start, the Gators have been sharp including a make-you-take-a-second-look 32-16 win over Omaha Westview. In that game the North Star defense held the Wolverines scoreless over the second and third quarters which included 20-plus minutes of game time. Kendall Anderson, KJ Pinchon and Ani Leu are all in double figures heading into tonight’s contest with Lincoln Southwest. Last week: 1.

2 - Millard West (7-0): The ‘Cats are still rolling, but have their biggest test this afternoon in the Metro semifinal against new No. 3 Omaha North. Millard West has defeated the Vikings once, but a new look North team will be a big test. Minnesota pledge Kylee Paben is averaging 22 points and six rebounds per contest. Last week: 2.

3 - Omaha North (5-3): The Vikings are 4-1 since out last ranking with a new additions Himayajo Metoyer and T’Niyan Wilson-Smith now available. In Wednesday’s Metro quarterfinal win over Omaha Westside, Wilson-Smith had 11 points, 14 rebounds, five steals and four assists. The Vikings have depth and balance with this group. Last week: 6.

4 - Millard North (6-2): The Mustangs being rewarded here for maybe playing the most difficult schedule of all the Metro teams so far. The losses are to North Star and Millard West. We’ll settle a ranking with Omaha Westview tonight in the other Metro semifinal. Freshman Mia McKenzie is averaging nearly 20 points and seven rebounds per outing. Last week: 9.

5 - Bennington (5-0): The Badgers balance continues to impress and they defeated Norris 53-44 in Tuesday’s EMC tournament championship game behind 14 points and eight rebounds from sophomore Macie Reiner. A wild next week ahead as they have five games — two in St. Joseph, MO this weekend, hosting Blair on Tuesday before a Scottsbluff, Gering road trip next weekend. Last week: 4.

6 - Omaha Westview (7-2): The Wolverines 16 points against North Star is the main reason for this drop, but Westview will get to prove the Power 20 wrong tonight in their semifinal with Millard North. Kaylyn Bailey and Stella Williams are both averaging over 12 points per game. Last week: 3.

7 - Kearney (9-0): It’s very possible that the Bearcats could be 14-0 when the head to Lincoln North Star on January 20th. A big Power 20 game in the final game of the Showcase next Saturday against Gothenburg. Freshman Hallie Garner is averaging just over 17 points per game. Last week: 7.

8 - Malcolm (9-0): Got our first look at the Clippers in wins over Class B Northwest and 2025 state qualifier Arlington in their holiday tournament. Malcolm has not been played within 15 points all season and we will get a hunch on where they are really at this week with games against Wahoo, No. 16 Milford and Class C-1, No. 6 Central City. It feels like Malcolm has another gear, and we’d like to see it. Last week: 8.

9 - Norris (6-1): This might be a harsh drop and if it is we apologize. It’s mostly because we see the Titans are battling injuries to Marlee Emerson and Alli Bornschegl. That said, there is plenty of time to move up. Next Friday’s rematch with Gretna East could tell us a bit more. Last week: 5.

10 - Lincoln Southwest (6-1): Since a 52-38 loss to Kearney, the Silverhawks have scored 60 points in each of their last three wins. If they score 60 tonight and figure out a way to top Lincoln North Star that could give these rankings quite the shake up. Kaytee Irons and Wayne State pledge Eleanor Griffin are combining for 32 points per game. Last week: 11.

11 - Lincoln Christian (10-0): Now 10-0, the Crusaders have been pushed for a half by Omaha Skutt and Aurora in the last 10 days. St. Joseph Benton and Scotus this weekend precedes a rare two-week break leading up to a big game with Pius on January 17th. Jessa Heuser, Sam Dearking and Maci Pittenger are all averaging double figures for LC. Last week: 13.

12 - Omaha Westside (8-4): For now, we’ll make the Warriors the leaders of the Metro quarterfinalists. Last week: 10.

13 - Papillion-LaVista (5-3): The Monarchs keep plugging away, but a tough January schedule awaits them. Last week: 14.

14 - Millard South (6-2): Losses only to Millard West on Wednesday and Papio earlier, but the Patriots are going to need to hold on tight. Westview, Omaha North and Pius in the next week. Last week: 19.  

15 - Gothenburg (9-1): The Swedes rolled through the Chadron State College holiday tournament that included a 84-43 win over previously undefeated Bridgeport. The loss is an overtime battle with Cheyenne (WY) East, which Kearney defeated. Last week: 16.

16 - Milford (9-1): Survived the Lincoln Lutheran holiday tournament with a 46-45 win over Holdrege and a 46-38 win over Platteview. Still just a lone loss to Norris, but two big ones await this week — pesky North Bend on Saturday and No. 8 Malcolm on Thursday. Last week: 15.

17 - Pender (9-1): You read this right. We moved the Pendragons up after a loss to South Dakota No. 2 West Central (6-0) in the finals of the Great Northeast Nebraska Shootout. Last week: 19.

18 - Gretna East (5-3): Losses to Westside, Bennington and Norris. Today comes an underrated, thank you coaches, cross class match up with Oakland-Craig. Gosh, we need more of these in Nebraska. Last week: 17.

19 - Lincoln Pius X (6-2): Since the opening loss to Gretna East, the Bolts have just a 51-49 setback to Iowa power Bishop Heelan. Millard South an intriguing matchup next Saturday. Last week: 20.

20 - Oakland-Craig (9-1): The Knights make their debut off holiday tournament wins over Archangels Catholic and Crofton. Against Crofton, Briar Ray had 28 points and 15 rebounds. Last week: not ranked.

Watching You (listed alphabetically by class): Bellevue West (4-5), Elkhorn South (2-4), Omaha Marian (4-5), Elkhorn North (4-3), Central City (9-0), Ogallala (8-0), Elkhorn Valley (8-0).

📈📉 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.

🏀🏀 Buzzer Beater

The final shot of 2025 for Wayne’s Jaxson Kneifl? This corner triple in double overtime to send the Blue Devils to a title in the Great Northeast Nebraska Shootout.

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