Nebraska Week 2: Headlines & Analysis

Lincoln- We are two weeks into high school basketball season in the state of Nebraska and with a majority of schools across all classes now having multiple games under their belts, we are approaching holiday conference tournament season. Schools in Lancaster County got a later start to the season than most, with the Class A schools in Lincoln, still have not opened their seasons yet, but there has been plenty of talent and impressive performances on display this season. Here are the games and performances that stood out in week number two.  Jungers Tip In Helps Jr. Jays Prevail  A low scoring Saturday night tilt at Millard West saw the host Wildcats take on Creighton Prep in a game where not many shots were falling for either team. Prep junior forward Luke JungersLukeJungers6'9" | PFOmaha Creighton Prep | 2022StateNE wound up being the hero getting the offensive rebound and tip-in off a missed layup with five seconds left to help the Junior Jays escape the upset-minded Wildcats by a score of 42-40. Jungers, a junior who is listed at 6’9 was the high scorer for Prep with 12 points on 5-8 shooting from the field while also grabbing 6 rebounds. Evan MeyersickEvanMeyersick6'5" | PFMillard West | 2021StateNE led the way for Millard West with 14 points on the night.  Central Uses Multiple Runs to Claim OPS Jamboree Crown Basketball is a game of runs, and Omaha Central had multiple go their way in the OPS Jamboree title game against district foe Omaha Bryan. A 20-2 run to start the second quarter brought the Eagles back from a 9 point first-quarter deficit and they never looked back. Senior guard Denim JohnsonDenimJohnson6'1" | CGOmaha Central | 2021StateNE continued his hot start to the season with 19 points and 7 rebounds on the night while fellow senior Faisaun GermanyFaisaunGermany6'1" | CGOmaha Central | 2021StateNE had another double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson and Germany are probably the best rebounding backcourt in the state, even though they are somewhat undersized. Bryan big man Lam KuanyLamKuany6'6" | PFOmaha Bryan | 2022StateNE led the way for the Bears with 16 points.  Saint ThomasSaintThomas6'6" | SFMillard North | 2021StateNE’ Hot Start Continues Through four games for the Millard North Mustangs, senior forward Saint ThomasSaintThomas6'6" | SFMillard North | 2021StateNE is off to a roaring start. After changing his body over the summer and improving his shot from deep, Thomas is averaging 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists a night so far on 64% shooting from the field and 50% from 3 point range. On a team that features four starters with Division 1 scholarship offers, something unheard of in Nebraska, Thomas is the go-to guy when the Mustangs need a bucket. His best game of the season came against Papillion La-Vista, where Thomas scored 30 points on 67% shooting, this included 5 makes from 3 point range, as well as 11 rebounds and 6 assists.  Merwick Breaks Elkhorn South Single Game Assist Record After a very solid summer for Hoffman Hoops Academy, Elkhorn South point guard Derrick Merwick has been all over the court for the Storm in the early going. Merwick plays very smart both with and without the ball. Against Omaha Burke Merwick had a stat line of 5 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds. The 11 assists for Merwick set a new single-game school record. There have been some pretty good guards to come through Elkhorn South’s program and Merwick is point guard who plays both strong and smart.