It’s All Working

We apologize for the brief delay and no Newsletter last week. As we mentioned in our January 9th edition we were changing the name of the letter (and our social media feeds) to Harvest Sports. More on that here.

At any rate, we were really trying to get everything right during the hiatus and we think we have all the kinks squared away. If you enjoy the Newsletter, please share with a friend and follow us on social media. Plenty of big hoops content coming your way as the season progresses.

We are glad you are with us!! Let’s dive in.

The Girls Hoops Power 20

After a minor week off to work on this whole name change thing, the Power 20 is ready for a stretch run. We got a major hunch these ratings are going to change as the dog days of the season progress. Loads of big games and conference tournaments over the next two weeks.

The great thing about these rankings? They will change before we cut the nets down. All records through games played last night, January 23rd. We make these rankings based on conversations with coaches throughout the state, by watching games, and with our gut if we are being honest.

1 - Elkhorn North (13-0): The Wolves continue on and added a win over Millard North on Saturday at Sokol Arena. But we will say this: Millard West is nearing 1A status. Last week: 1.

 2 - Millard West (12-1): The ‘Cats bounced back from their first loss of the season on Saturday to Johnston, IA (No. 15 in the nation by MaxPreps) with a huge home win over Lincoln Southwest. Last week: 2.

3 - Lincoln Southwest (12-2): Too many good wins to move the Silverhawks much lower after the 56-39 loss to Millard West last night. Their final ranking likely comes down to the postseason. Last week: 4.

4 - Millard North (10-4): The coaches and media have notched Millard North below Lincoln North Star and Lincoln Northeast after the Rockets topped the Mustangs in double overtime. We aren’t quite there yet. Next Tuesday’s game with Southwest will give us a good measuring stick. Nice win over Westside last night. Last week: 3.

5 - Lincoln North Star (10-2): Last year’s young, surprise team isn’t surprising anyone anymore. Just ahead of Northeast based on their 56-55 win over the Rockets last week. Last week: 7.

6 - Lincoln Northeast (9-2): Wins over Westside, Pius and Millard North all on the resume and do the Rocket’s have an all-class, all-state player in Doneelah Washington? We think so. Last week: 8.

7 - Omaha Skutt Catholic (13-1): The Skyhawks only drop because of the big wins by North Star and Northeast. Rolling through Class B competition, a nice win over Pius and a chance at Omaha Central on Friday. Last week: 6. 

8 - Papillion-LaVista South (11-4): Out of nowhere come the Titans, with wins over Omaha Westside, Omaha Central and Lewis Central (IA) last Saturday, enter the rankings. A Friday date with Millard North is on the horizon. Last week: NR.

9 - Omaha Westside (11-6): Five Power 20 opponents in a row started last night with a 4-point loss Millard North. Going to have to put together a couple wins to stay here. Last week: 10. 

10 - Omaha Central (13-4): Eagles need to get back on track and they get a real opportunity on Friday against Omaha Skutt. Last week: 5.

11 - Bellevue West (6-6): The Birds have not had a chance to get untracked since the Christmas break only playing three times. Wins over Marian and Kearney this week could give them some new mojo. Last week: 11. 

12 - Sidney (15-0): Ty Shaw and the Raiders just keep winning. Last week: 12.

13 - Lincoln Christian (13-1): Crusaders are going to probably have to win a loaded Centennial Conference tournament to keep their spot here. Last week: 13.

14 - Lincoln Southeast (10-3): Knights keep flying under the radar here with a nice win over Pius last week. But they are going to need a big one to move much more and they don’t have a lot of chances. Just need to pile up wins now. Last week: 15.

15 - Lincoln Pius X (8-6): Bolts are in a rut and need to bounce back as quickly as possible. After Tuesday’s loss to Skutt, it’s Marian, Kearney and North Star next. Last week: 9.

16 - Omaha Marian (11-3): Drop after a 68-66 loss to Omaha Westview, but a chance to move back up with Bellevue West and Pius this week. Last week: 14.

17 - Norris (10-2): Two more games until this gauntlet: at Beatrice, at Lincoln Christian, Omaha Skutt, at Elkhorn North. Mercy. Last week: 16.

18 - Beatrice (13-1): Beatrice will need to win the Trailblazer Tournament this week in pretty convincing fashion to stay here. Last week: 18.

19 - Gretna East (8-5): We might have Weekday’s crew too low here after the win over Omaha Central. But, we’ll try this for now as B seems as strong as it has been in sometime. An earlier win over Lewis Central, which took Papio South to OT, looms more impressive, too. Give us a week and we might advance the Griffins some more. Last week: 19.

20 - Crofton (14-0): The Warriors have played just three games in January. Sad face. Last week: 19.

Fell out: Papillion-LaVista, Pender.

Up Next (listed alphabetically by class): Papillion-LaVista (9-3), Waverly (9-3), Bridgeport (15-0), Grand Island CC (14-1), Minden (11-2), Guardian Angels CC (14-1), Pender (16-0).

Polling Season

Not the New Hampshire primary, but each week our Tony Chapman will compile the girls basketball coaches poll and Mike Sautter the boys poll for nebpreps with help from coaches around the state. All season long, you can also catch game reports from Jacob Padilla for some of the best basketball content in the state. (The Newsletter is also a big fan of Jacob’s “Top Performance” tweets.) And, vote for the Pinnacle Bank Game of the Week with Mike Sautter as well.

UP TO DATE: ALL HOOPS THE SCORES: BOYS // GIRLS. Plus, point standings: BOYS // GIRLS

THE RUBY FIVE: The Grand Island Central Catholic girls are still rolling. If you are new here, or missed it, you can read their unique story that we published on January 10th right here. 

ODDS AND ENDS: Omaha Westside’s Claire White was named the Gatorade runner of the year for cross country earlier this week. The Iowa State commit was the 2023 Class A state champion. Shot clock: Good update here from the Omaha World-Herald’s Stu Pospisil on the 35 second shot clock hitting all classes next year. Creighton’s Island: In Grand lsland, the new football coach will be Adams Central grad Creighton Reed, who has been a high school coach in Texas. He’s Still Here: Wes Ferguson, sheesh. The Fremont senior is back for one more go round at UNK and he started off by breaking the Loper indoor mile record.

The Season: Episode Two

Our second episode of The Season presented by Tom Dinsdale Automotive dropped on Tuesday. This episode followed the Centura girls and their “colorful” coach Laethion Brown in a win over Gibbon.

“The game honors GRIT.” You dang right it does, coach.

Also, new Facebook page alert, where you can watch the full episode too.

Setting Sail

We just wanted you all to see this one, before you got your day started. That’s all. Hope we see you on the hardwood soon. Much love.