Basketball Scores from Thursday (2/23)

[Alum-Ni]

BOYS

SUBDISTRICT FINALS (unless noted)

CLASS B

B-1
Norris 63, Crete 61 (2OT)

B-2
Waverly 56, Plattsmouth 42

B-3
Platteview 58, Omaha Gross 35

B-4
Elkhorn 48, Omaha Skutt 47

B-5
Blair 63, Bennington 62 (OT)

B-6
Seward 45, Hastings 38

Final: Seward vs. York (Friday)

B-7
McCook 49, Grand Island Northwest 30

B-8
Scottsbluff 83, Gering 43

==============================

CLASS C1

C1-1
Auburn 43, Syracuse 19

C1-2
Lincoln Lutheran 61, Lincoln Christian 56

C1-3
Omaha Concordia 51, Boys Town 47

C1-4
Wahoo 54, Ashland-Greenwood 32

C1-5
Columbus Scotus 58, David City 50

C1-6
Winnebago 57, Wayne 48

C1-7
Pierce 46, O'Neill 40

C1-8
Central City 34, Aurora 25

C1-9
Adams Central 40, Kearney Catholic 31

C1-10
St. Paul 43, Centura 40

C1-11
Holdrege 70, Cozad 68 (2OT)

C1-12
Ogallala 65, Sidney 43

================================

CLASS C2

C2-1
Freeman 39, Tri County 35

C2-2
Yutan 39, Elmwood-Murdock 37

C2-3
Oakland-Craig vs. Omaha Nation (Friday)

C2-4
Wakefield 64, Wisner-Pilger 48

C2-5
Norfolk Catholic 62, Lutheran High Northeast 39

C2-6
Hartington Cedar Catholic 57, Ponca 40

C2-7
Elkhorn Valley 78, Atkinson West Holt 52

C2-8
Cross County 51, David City Aquinas 42

C2-9
Amherst 75, Doniphan-Trumbull 62

C2-10
Hastings St. Cecilia 29, Thayer Central 27

C2-11
Hershey 50, Hi-Line 40

C2-12
Gordon-Rushville 71, Kimball 39

============================

CLASS D1

D1-1
Johnson-Brock 68, Pawnee City 43

D1-2
Mead 78, Omaha Brownell-Talbot 41

D1-3
McCool Junction 56, Bruning-Davenport/Shickley 43

D1-4
Bancroft-Rosalie 62, Howells-Dodge 56

D1-5
Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 48, Elgin/Elgin Pope John 46

D1-6
Boyd County vs. Ainsworth (Friday)

D1-7
Ansley/Litchfield 49, Pleasanton 45

D1-8
Sandy Creek 51, Kenesaw 39

D1-9
Loomis 61, Southern Valley 45

D1-10
North Platte St. Patrick's 40, Maywood/Hayes Center 39

D1-11
Dundy County-Stratton 63, Hitchcock County 42

D1-12
Bridgeport 67, Leyton 62 (OT)

================================

CLASS D2

D2-1
Falls City Sacred Heart 74, Diller-Odell 32

D2-2
Friend 72, Exeter-Milligan 41

D2-3
Parkview Christian 71, Osceola 58

D2-4
Wausa vs. Wynot (Friday)

D2-5
Stuart 91, Santee 87 (2OT)

D2-6
Fullerton 44, Giltner 24

D2-7
Shelton 68, Red Cloud 30

D2-8
Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 52, Sandhills/Thedford 41

D2-9
Medicine Valley 55, Wallace 48

D2-10
Paxton 48, Mullen 38

D2-11
Potter-Dix 55, Garden County 36

D2-12
Crawford vs. Hay Springs (Friday)

 

[Alum-Ni]

GIRLS

DISTRICTS

CLASS A

A-6
Lincoln North Star 51, Fremont 29
Lincoln Pius X 31, Columbus 28

 

[mgbreis]

That's a big upset for Elkhorn over Skutt!

 

[Bubman86]

Two early calculations have Dundy County host Humphrey/LSF and Howells-Dodge hosting Bridgeport. Obviously they will play both at neutral sites and this is nowhere near official but wow what a drive for these teams.

 

[Llama57]

Two early calculations have Dundy County host Humphrey/LSF and Howells-Dodge hosting Bridgeport. Obviously they will play both at neutral sites and this is nowhere near official but wow what a drive for these teams.

Cross state match ups happen all the time in the round of 16 in football, but there's rarely complaints about that. District finals are the equal. Call them what you want, playoffs, district finals, whatever. Just my .02.

 

[mgbreis]

Two early calculations have Dundy County host Humphrey/LSF and Howells-Dodge hosting Bridgeport. Obviously they will play both at neutral sites and this is nowhere near official but wow what a drive for these teams.

It's a fun experience for the teams and the communities. It's great to get out of your region and see teams you normally don't.

 

[Bubman86]

Cross state match ups happen all the time in the round of 16 in football, but there's rarely complaints about that. District finals are the equal. Call them what you want, playoffs, district finals, whatever. Just my .02.

I’m not complaining I’m just saying that we live in a big state and sometimes people forget how big our state is. I personally think the home team should play at home regardless of the distance.

 

[Bubman86]

It's a fun experience for the teams and the communities. It's great to get out of your region and see teams you normally don't.

I couldn’t agree more!!!

 

[Llama57]

I’m not complaining I’m just saying that we live in a big state and sometimes people forget how big our state is. I personally think the home team should play at home regardless of the distance.

Agreed 100%

 

[HighPlainsCoach]

Two early calculations have Dundy County host Humphrey/LSF and Howells-Dodge hosting Bridgeport. Obviously they will play both at neutral sites and this is nowhere near official but wow what a drive for these teams.

Frankly it's insane. And not justifiable to any reasonable person. A complete waste of time, resources, and money. To drag kids all over the state, for no good reason, is simply a sign that we've lost all perspective when it comes to high school sports. Compared to Texas, for one example, WE'RE the crazy ones...

 

[abaxa5]

That's a big upset for Elkhorn over Skutt!

Along with Norris upsetting Crete and Blair beating Bennington. All kinds of upsets in Class B yesterday

 

[jsker58]

Everyone in C-1 is done. If the pts don't move much due to other classes....

Wahoo v St. Paul
Ogallala vs Adams Cent.
Ashland-G v Winnebago
Pierce v Scotus
Om. Conc. v Holdrege
Sidney v Wayne
Cent. City v Aurora
Auburn v Lincoln Luth.

Or I could be wrong.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

Frankly it's insane. And not justifiable to any reasonable person. A complete waste of time, resources, and money. To drag kids all over the state, for no good reason, is simply a sign that we've lost all perspective when it comes to high school sports. Compared to Texas, for one example, WE'RE the crazy ones...

In my opinion, it comes down the a general philosophy of what a State Tournament is supposed to represent.

I can see your side here in that you would rather see 8 "regional champions" reach the State Tournament (or 6 + 2 wildcards or whatever variation). There is certainly nothing wrong with that, if that is what the member schools want to do.

Or the other side is the idea of wanting the best 8 teams to play their way into the State Tournament, in which case this is the only way that I know to do it. At the most extreme, Falls City to Crawford is a 4 hour drive to meet in the middle. Howells Dodge to Bridgeport is about 3. It is certainly a long haul even meeting in the middle.

I would be in favor of the "Regional Champion" as long as it was 6 regions and 2 wildcards. I would even support 4 + 4. What I can't get behind is a Regional system that leaves out one of the best couple teams in the state due of a bad night or a player battling through a 24 hour flu like illness.

 

[mgbreis]

I would be in favor of the "Regional Champion" as long as it was 6 regions and 2 wildcards. I would even support 4 + 4. What I can't get behind is a Regional system that leaves out one of the best couple teams in the state due of a bad night or a player battling through a 24 hour flu like illness.

I agree with you for the most part, but I'm not in favor of the "regional champs" strategy at all. It's a state tournament and should strive to include the best 8 teams as much as is possible. I'm with you that driving 3-4 hours to meet for a game in the middle is not a big deal. All schools make huge investments in time, resources and money throughout the regular season, it would be making a mountain out of a molehill to say the LAST game before state we suddenly can't justify the cost. It is a very exciting experience for the teams, parents and communities to make those trips! I get why an administrator or a board member might not like it.

 

[Bumping Cutters]

What's everyone's thoughts on Elm Creek boys??

 

[NeNebraskaGuru]

I agree with you for the most part, but I'm not in favor of the "regional champs" strategy at all. It's a state tournament and should strive to include the best 8 teams as much as is possible. I'm with you that driving 3-4 hours to meet for a game in the middle is not a big deal. All schools make huge investments in time, resources and money throughout the regular season, it would be making a mountain out of a molehill to say the LAST game before state we suddenly can't justify the cost. It is a very exciting experience for the teams, parents and communities to make those trips! I get why an administrator or a board member might not like it.

This sums it all up. Nailed it.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

I agree with you for the most part, but I'm not in favor of the "regional champs" strategy at all. It's a state tournament and should strive to include the best 8 teams as much as is possible. I'm with you that driving 3-4 hours to meet for a game in the middle is not a big deal. All schools make huge investments in time, resources and money throughout the regular season, it would be making a mountain out of a molehill to say the LAST game before state we suddenly can't justify the cost. It is a very exciting experience for the teams, parents and communities to make those trips! I get why an administrator or a board member might not like it.

I prefer the system we currently use. I reread my post and didn't really clearly state that.

I want to see 7 competitive games per class rather than 1st round blowouts.

 

[runningback43]

I really like our current system. Makes teams win to get to Lincoln and helps to make sure the best 8 teams in the state are playing for the Championship in each class.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

I really like our current system. Makes teams win to get to Lincoln and helps to make sure the best 8 teams in the state are playing for the Championship in each class.

I agree. I don't like to see teams qualifying for State coming off of a loss.

With that said, I also believe that @HighPlainsCoach has some valid points as well. I get this from past threads and interactions with him. Not to speak for him, but generally he was of the opinion that we don't have to cater to the goal of the best 8 teams and can award berths on a regional basis. That is certainly not wrong.

The thing I like about our NSAA system in all activities is that the majority rules and that majority is our individual schools that have a vote. At least there isn't a small group of people not personally effected making these decisions.

 

[HighPlainsCoach]

In my opinion, it comes down the a general philosophy of what a State Tournament is supposed to represent.

I can see your side here in that you would rather see 8 "regional champions" reach the State Tournament (or 6 + 2 wildcards or whatever variation). There is certainly nothing wrong with that, if that is what the member schools want to do.

Or the other side is the idea of wanting the best 8 teams to play their way into the State Tournament, in which case this is the only way that I know to do it. At the most extreme, Falls City to Crawford is a 4 hour drive to meet in the middle. Howells Dodge to Bridgeport is about 3. It is certainly a long haul even meeting in the middle.

I would be in favor of the "Regional Champion" as long as it was 6 regions and 2 wildcards. I would even support 4 + 4. What I can't get behind is a Regional system that leaves out one of the best couple teams in the state due of a bad night or a player battling through a 24 hour flu like illness.

That's a good post. For myself, I could care less about any philosophy except for two factors: Give me the teams that could win state realistically and whats best for kids and families. The ridiculous way we do football and basketball playoffs does ONE of those. Using geography as the basis, like we used to, does BOTH. I think you're referring to my correcting someone who said that "the state tournament was designed to get the best..." No. it wasn't. It was designed to bring the best of the different parts of the state together. A "State Fair" of hoops one leader described it. In fact initially it was fully an invitational at it's inception. No team was EVER left home that could have realistically won state, once we instituted the wild card. The best 4, 5 teams made state. And they are the only ones that really matter from a Championship standpoint. If one or two from one of the corners or some district by a yearly fluke of talent sneak in, I could care less. Anyone who really likes this format has to absolutely HATE the NCAA men's tournament. If they don't, they are complete hypocrites.
And, while I'm not one of them, western folks get completely screwed by this deal. Almost any C1 school that Bridgeport might host has probably already been eliminated by them in the Subs.
For a family from Crawford to go to Sacred Heart, or vice versa, will incur hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars ($732.20 per irs) in travel costs alone, since every family drives safe, dependable, fuel efficient vehicles. It is a MINIMUM of 17 hours drive time round trip. Add in that most people lose wages (not a problem for the pajamma class) or have to be gone 2 days of calving, lambing, harvesting, it all adds up. I do forget that only rich kids can be successful so maybe we shouldn't consider economics.
Do you know what insurance actuaries say about mileage? From a safety standpoint, every single mile driven increases the risk of something bad happening. A small risk, to be sure, but increased with each mile. Probably a good thing all these extra miles aren't driven in bad visibility, or at times of dicey weather conditions, or that it's a time when deer are moving in large numbers.
Some risks, costs, inconveniences are impossible to avoid. These are eminently avoidable. And for almost no benefit. That's the crazy thing. Every year since we started doing this I glance at C & D. The difference? Between 1 and 2 teams per class. The average has never been more than 1.8 teams. And only one of those teams that wouldn't have qualified, have even won a first round game! So in essence, we're just choosing which team gets to treasure a first round loser T shirt.
You mention a safety net for a really great team that has some illness or a bad night? THAT risk is far, far greater with these winner-take-all sub state games. If Maywood or St Pats, or apparently JB were to lose would that change the fact that those teams have seperated themselves from the rest of the class? The top two teams lose because of the factors that you mentioned and Elm Creek (0-2 against both) and Dundy County (0-4) qualify is that the "best" field?
I could go on. But let me just end with this:
We have a plan that does very little to change the competetive balance of the state tournament, NOTHING to change to eventual result of the class (except possible dillute it with a top team getting picked off), and impose a hardship on nearly everyone...sounds brilliant.

 

[ClkTwr2011]

That's a good post. For myself, I could care less about any philosophy except for two factors: Give me the teams that could win state realistically and whats best for kids and families. The ridiculous way we do football and basketball playoffs does ONE of those. Using geography as the basis, like we used to, does BOTH. I think you're referring to my correcting someone who said that "the state tournament was designed to get the best..." No. it wasn't. It was designed to bring the best of the different parts of the state together. A "State Fair" of hoops one leader described it. In fact initially it was fully an invitational at it's inception. No team was EVER left home that could have realistically won state, once we instituted the wild card. The best 4, 5 teams made state. And they are the only ones that really matter from a Championship standpoint. If one or two from one of the corners or some district by a yearly fluke of talent sneak in, I could care less. Anyone who really likes this format has to absolutely HATE the NCAA men's tournament. If they don't, they are complete hypocrites.
And, while I'm not one of them, western folks get completely screwed by this deal. Almost any C1 school that Bridgeport might host has probably already been eliminated by them in the Subs.
For a family from Crawford to go to Sacred Heart, or vice versa, will incur hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars ($732.20 per irs) in travel costs alone, since every family drives safe, dependable, fuel efficient vehicles. It is a MINIMUM of 17 hours drive time round trip. Add in that most people lose wages (not a problem for the pajamma class) or have to be gone 2 days of calving, lambing, harvesting, it all adds up. I do forget that only rich kids can be successful so maybe we shouldn't consider economics.
Do you know what insurance actuaries say about mileage? From a safety standpoint, every single mile driven increases the risk of something bad happening. A small risk, to be sure, but increased with each mile. Probably a good thing all these extra miles aren't driven in bad visibility, or at times of dicey weather conditions, or that it's a time when deer are moving in large numbers.
Some risks, costs, inconveniences are impossible to avoid. These are eminently avoidable. And for almost no benefit. That's the crazy thing. Every year since we started doing this I glance at C & D. The difference? Between 1 and 2 teams per class. The average has never been more than 1.8 teams. And only one of those teams that wouldn't have qualified, have even won a first round game! So in essence, we're just choosing which team gets to treasure a first round loser T shirt.
You mention a safety net for a really great team that has some illness or a bad night? THAT risk is far, far greater with these winner-take-all sub state games. If Maywood or St Pats, or apparently JB were to lose would that change the fact that those teams have seperated themselves from the rest of the class? The top two teams lose because of the factors that you mentioned and Elm Creek (0-2 against both) and Dundy County (0-4) qualify is that the "best" field?
I could go on. But let me just end with this:
We have a plan that does very little to change the competetive balance of the state tournament, NOTHING to change to eventual result of the class (except possible dillute it with a top team getting picked off), and impose a hardship on nearly everyone...sounds brilliant.

There is nothing in here that I disagree with.

This post is a perfect example of why I like to follow along with you. You and I can fight tooth and nail over an issue (see the Malcolm Softball Coach thread from this fall 🤣) and I can respect your opinion and respect you for vocalizing that opinion.

As I said above, I personally prefer the current system. I do however understand your point and could live with a Regional situation with 2 or even 4 Wild Card berths....if that is what our schools decided to do.

And you are correct, I was referring to a past post when you shared your thoughts on what the State Tournament was designed to do.