State Tournament: Friday Standout Performances
Photo Credit: Logan Foote // @Logan_Foote6 Lincoln- Friday was jam-packed with semi-final action across all six classes in the boy’s state basketball tournament in Lincoln. From D1 prospects flexing their muscle in Class A, to a Triple OT thriller in…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Credit: Logan Foote // @Logan_Foote6
Lincoln- Friday was jam-packed with semi-final action across all six classes in the boy’s state basketball tournament in Lincoln. From D1 prospects flexing their muscle in Class A, to a Triple OT thriller in Class C2, the day had a little bit of everything. Here are the prospects whose performances stood out to me.
2021 Hunter Sallis Hunter Sallis 6'4" | CG Millard North | 2021 State #8 Nation NE (Millard North) – 24 points, 10-15 FG (2-3 3pt), 5 rebounds, 4 assists
The Mustangs’ semi-final matchup with defending state champions Omaha South was close until Millard North went on one of their what seem to be patented runs to pull away. They exploded on a 21-2 in the 3rd quarter to put the Packers away, and Hunter Sallis Hunter Sallis 6'4" | CG Millard North | 2021 State #8 Nation NE scored half of his points for the game in that single quarter. The junior guard displayed his superb scoring ability at all three levels in the quarter and even threw a nice alley-oop pass to sophomore Jasen Green Jasen Green 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2022 State #153 Nation NE in transition that will be on the tournament highlight reel.
2021 Chucky Hepburn Chucky Hepburn 6'1" | PG Bellevue West | 2021 State #77 Nation NE (Bellevue West)- 28 points, 10-16 FG (1-2 3pt), 7-8 FT, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
The 6’1 Wisconsin commit took over for the Thunderbirds in their semi-final win over Omaha Westside, especially in the second half where he scored 20 of his game-high 28 points. It wasn’t just scoring however as he ended up with the second double-double of the Class A tournament. Hepburn displayed all the skills he’s been known for his whole career, excellent court vision, and tough finishes at the basket.
2021 Frankie Fidler Frankie Fidler 6'6" | SF Bellevue West | 2021 State NE (Bellevue West)- 23 points, 8-9 FG (2-3 3pt), 5-8 FT, 8 rebounds
The 6’6 junior guard was one of my picks to have a breakout tournament and he has done exactly that. After opening the tournament with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals, Fidler was still on fire in the first half against Westside as he started the game 8-8 from the field with 18 first-half points. Fidler made plays on both ends for the Thunderbirds and helped them advance to the Class A state championship game.
2021 Cam Binder Cam Binder 6'0" | CG Auburn | 2021 State NE (Auburn)- 24 points, 5-7 FG (4-5 3pt), 10-10 FT
The 6’ junior guard has always been one of the better shooters in the state regardless of class and Auburn’s semi-final win over Lincoln Christian proved no different. Binder was the catalyst for the Bulldogs as they advanced to the C1 final where they will look to defend their title, and also extended their win streak to 35 games in a row. Every time Lincoln Christian made the game tight it seemed that Binder had an answer including a sequence where he hit a 3 from each corner on back to back possessions to extend Auburn’s lead.
2021 Lucas Vogt Lucas Vogt 5'11" | PG BRLD | 2021 State NE (BRLD)- 26 points,
The BRLD Wolverines entered last night’s game with a 50 game winning streak and it came about as close as it has all year to being snapped as upset-minded Sutton took them to overtime in the Class C2 semi-finals. Vogt is the go to guy for the Wolverines and the 5’11 junior is definitely one of the more entertaining players to watch in the state. Vogt and his BRLD teammates will look to claim back to back state titles against Grand Island Central Catholic Saturday night.