Chris’s 2020-2021 Nebraska Boys HS Basketball Season Standouts

Despite Covid-19, it was quite a year for Nebraska high school basketball. So amazing that this group is arguably the best class in the history of the Cornhusker state. Lead by McDonald’s all-American/state champion Hunter Sallis Hunter Sallis 6'4" | CG Millard North | 2021 State #8 Nation NE and followed up by the classy yet well respected Chucky Hepburn Chucky Hepburn 6'1" | PG Bellevue West | 2021 State #77 Nation NE , boatloads of more talent are right behind. The "game of the year" belongs to the magical rivalry match-up between the Bellevue West Thunderbirds and the Millard West Mustangs. On January 2, 2021, Loyola commit Saint Thomas Saint Thomas 6'6" | CG Millard North | 2021 State NE scored 48 points for the Mustangs while shooting 73% from the field against Bellevue West for a 94-91 victory. Millard West would advance to the state finals to meet Bellevue West again to battle for the championship. The previous year Chucky Hepburn Chucky Hepburn 6'1" | PG Bellevue West | 2021 State #77 Nation NE , Frankie Fidler Frankie Fidler 6'6" | SF Bellevue West | 2021 State NE , and the ThunderBirds won the state title against Millard West but fell short of a repeat in overtime this year. On another note, we saw Jadin Johnson Jadin Johnson 6'4" | PG Millard North | 2021 State NE develop into a solid point guard while Marcus Shakeer Marcus Shakeer 6'3" | SG Omaha Benson | 2021 State NE scored in bunches. We observed Denim Johnson Denim Johnson 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2021 State NE display tremendous athleticism and witnessed Isaac Traudt Isaac Traudt 6'8" | SF Grand Island | 2022 State #32 Nation NE attract big-time recruiters. There were others players who were exciting to watch.  The names I have listed below.   Tyler Sandoval Tyler Sandoval 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2021 State NE  6’7"| PF | Millard North | 2021                                                      Tyler appeared in 27 games this season and averaged 7.6 points per contest. He filled his role perfectly for the Mustangs and is very coachable. Sandoval plays great around the basket and takes smart shot attempts.  His field goal percentage for the year was 68%. Tyler is patient and the type of player that stays ready to excel down the stretch. His stat line does not show the value in his play. Tyler’s sacrifice is part of the reason his team is ranked 11th nationally and won the state title.                                                                                                                                 Pierce Bazil Pierce Bazil 6'2" | CG Lincoln Northeast | 2022 AZ  6’4" | CG | Lincoln Northeast | 2021 Pierce continues to get better and better. He averaged 20.6 points per game, threw amazing passes, and played solid defense.  Very exciting to watch Bazil run the fastbreak and find an open teammate or score the basketball. His jump shot is consistent from long to mid-range and he is also becoming more athletic. He has a great attitude on and off the court. Pierce is fierce, don’t let the nice smile fool you. The future is bright for Bazil.                   Faisaun Germany Faisaun Germany 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 TN  6’1" | CG | Omaha Central | 2021 is an athletic point guard that can shoot from behind the arc or midrange.  He passes the ball very well, especially in transition. Germany’s dribbling skills allow him to drive by the defense and finish with a layup. Faisaun averaged 11.1 points and also snagged 7 rebounds per game as well. He gives great energy and can be a force at the next level.                   Danair Dempsey Danair Dempsey 6'6" | PF Papillion-LaVista South | 2021 State NE  6’7" | PF | Papillion-LaVista South | 2021 Danair is a solid forward that has improved his spot-up shooting. His length allows him to be an excellent defender and strong rebounder.  He is the type of player that gets the job done while playing within the system. The 6’7" senior averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. His ability to put the ball on the floor as a forward and drive the lanes allows him the either finish over the defender or find a wide-open teammate. Dempsey can also step out beyond the arc and knock down 3 pointers. He is solid.                         Jaren Marshall Jaren Marshall 6'1" | CG Omaha Central | 2021 State NE  6’1" | CG | Omaha Central | 2021 Jaren has great floor leadership and the type who can score the basketball with finesse. His game shows glimpses of Nebraska’s former standout Tyron Lue. He averaged 10.3 points per game and ranked 10th in the state of Nebraska. If he continues to get better, Marshall could end up a top-tier point guard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Jasen Green Jasen Green 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2022 State #123 Nation NE  6’7" | PF | Millard North | 2022 | Grassroots Team: MOKAN Elite 17U EYBL.     Officially a state champion, Jasen still has his senior year ahead of him to get even better. Jasen was the third-leading scorer for the Millard North Mustangs who were ranked 11th nationally. He averaged roughly 12.0 points and 7 rebounds per game.With Hunter Sallis Hunter Sallis 6'4" | CG Millard North | 2021 State #8 Nation NE and Saint Thomas Saint Thomas 6'6" | CG Millard North | 2021 State NE going on to play division 1 basketball, look for Green to develop into a leadership role. The best way to describe his game is to call him an all-around player. He’s athletic, defends well, and can shoot long range.                     Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE  6’4" | CG | Omaha Central | 2022 | Grassroots Team: Nebraska Supreme 17U UAA    Dawson has a silky smooth jump shot and a nice set of handles to go with it. His post-entry passes are easy buckets for bigs. Jayden averaged 14.0 points per game this past season as a junior. Currently standing 6’4’ tall, he can be a nightmare for opposing guards with his skillset. Dawson is ranked 4th in the Nebraska Class of 2022. Don’t be surprised if he climbs up the chart this upcoming season.