4 Observations from Week #1 of the OSA Prep Fall League
Omaha- This past Saturday was week one of the OSA Prep Fall League at the UBT Sports Complex in Elkhorn. Teams from Class A and B from Lincoln and Omaha were in attendance. In four hours of games, I observed…
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Continue ReadingOmaha- This past Saturday was week one of the OSA Prep Fall League at the UBT Sports Complex in Elkhorn. Teams from Class A and B from Lincoln and Omaha were in attendance. In four hours of games, I observed some of the many talented rosters that will be taking to the court this winter. Here are 5 takeaways from the moring’s action.
Creighton Prep will be one of the toughest teams to defend in Class A
The Junior Jays return many members of last year’s state tournament qualifying squad. Guards Justin Sitti Justin Sitti 6'3" | PG Creighton Prep | 2021 State NE and Mai’jhe Wiley Mai’jhe Wiley 6'3" | SG Omaha Creighton Prep | 2021 State NE are incredibly tough on the defensive end and both being capable slashing scorers. Brendan Buckley Brendan Buckley 6'3" | SG Creighton Prep | 2021 State NE is one of the better shooters in the state of Nebraska. 2022 big man Luke Jungers Luke Jungers 6'9" | PF Omaha Creighton Prep | 2022 State NE and 2021 Nebraska football commit AJ Rollins AJ Rollins 6'5" | PF Omaha Creighton Prep | 2021 State NE will give Prep an inside-outside game that will make them one of the top competitors in Class A.
Emerging Youngsters Give Bellevue West Even More Firepower
The defending state champion Thunderbirds return Wisconsin commit Chucky Hepburn Chucky Hepburn 6'1" | PG Bellevue West | 2021 State #77 Nation NE and a fellow 2021 D1 prospect in 6’6 forward Frankie Fidler Frankie Fidler 6'6" | SF Bellevue West | 2021 State NE , but that’s not all. They also added transfer guard Greg Brown Greg Brown 6'5" | SF Bellevue West | 2021 State NE from Omaha Burke this summer. As well, a group of emerging young talent will give Bellevue West plenty of offensive firepower. 2023 guard Josiah Dotzler Josiah Dotzler 6'3" | CG Bellevue West | 2023 State #225 Nation NE made the most of his minutes off the bench last season and after overcoming some injuries this summer will see his role increase. 2023 wing Jaxon Stueve plays really smart on both ends and thrives when cutting to the basket. 6’6 wing Evan Inselman Evan Inselman 6'6" | SF Bellevue West | 2022 State NE is a sniper from behind the 3 point line and 6’7 forward William Kyle William Kyle 6'8" | C Bellevue West | 2022 State NE is skilled inside the paint on both ends of the court. This group of youngsters, couple with Hepburn running the point, gives the Thunderbirds a great shot at repeating as Class A state champions.
Omaha Central Won’t Have Much Size, But They’ll Still Be Resilient
The Eagles’ tallest player on the court Saturday morning was talented 2022 wing PJ Davis PJ Davis 6'2" | SG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE who stands about 6’5. Talking with Central head coach Eric Behrens he said his squad will have “little to no size,” on the court at times, which is different from what we’re used to seeing from a typical Eagles roster. However, the Eagles will have plenty of tenacious guard talent that will keep them in games. The additions of Omaha Burke transfer Jaren Marshall Jaren Marshall 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2021 State NE and Omaha Benson transfer Denim Johnson Denim Johnson 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2021 State NE , coupled with returners Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE , Faisaun Germany Faisaun Germany 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 TN , and Jackson Page means Central will have plenty of depth. The resilient bunch of Eagles came back from down 22 points to cut it within 5 against a tough Creighton Prep squad in their first game of the afternoon.
A Very Competitive Year Ahead for the Lincoln Schools
Lincoln Northeast, Southwest, North Star, East, and Pius X were in attendance for games on Saturday and all of these teams showed signs of potential for this winter. In talking to some coaches, they agreed with my thought that it could be the most competitive year of hoops for the Lincoln Schools in quite some time. Pius X was missing twin brothers Sam and Charlie Hoiberg Charlie Hoiberg 6'0" | CG Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE on Saturday but combine the two of them with the Hastreiter brothers Sam and Jack and you’ll have a very good inside-outside team. Northeast returns one of the best point guards in the state in Pierce Bazil, and junior guard Zander Beard Zander Beard 6'0" | PG Lincoln Northeast | 2022 State NE is a candidate to have a breakout season. Southwest has a core of youngsters in Jared Bohrer Jared Bohrer 5'10" | CG Lincoln Pius | 2022 State NE , Ben Hunzeker Ben Hunzeker 6'3" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE , and Rylan Smith Rylan Smith 6'1" | PG Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE who all had solid summers and will look to bring that momentum to their high school campaigns. North Star returns Kwat Abdelkarim Kwat Abdelkarim 6'3" | CG Lincoln Northstar | 2021 State NE , and this year will a healthy Brennan Clemmons Jr. Lincoln East will always play tough, and with players like Carter Glenn, Brayden McPhail, and Carter Templemeyer, they will find ways to stay in games. There will be plenty of quality hoops to watch this winter in the capital city.