2021 Bryan Hoops Shootout: All-Tournament Teams
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Bryan High School played host to 16 teams over the weekend, for an entertaining two-day event. Omaha South came out on top, defeating Concordia in the final by a score of 74–62. I discovered several new names at the event,…
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Continue ReadingBryan High School played host to 16 teams over the weekend, for an entertaining two-day event. Omaha South came out on top, defeating Concordia in the final by a score of 74–62. I discovered several new names at the event, many of which you can expect to find in the next rankings update. In the teams below you’ll see a few of those new names, including a point guard who could be one of the state’s best this fall, as well as a few of the stars we’ve written about plenty.
First Team
JoJo Foard | Omaha South
We might as well start off with the player with the most complete performance on the weekend. JoJo Foard is allegedly a 2022 Omaha Northwest transfer, although I find no record of him anywhere. Simply put, he was the best point guard of the weekend. He has one of the better handles I’ve seen from anyone in Nebraska. He found himself swarmed with defenders several times a game and repeatedly found a path through the traffic, and made it look easy. Foard brilliantly finished at the rim over size, also making that look easy. And defensively, he was a menace. He showed awareness away from the ball, but can also be a stopper at the point of attack. It was my first weekend having eyes on Foard but the skills are undeniable.
Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE | Omaha Central (pictured)
It was an up and down tournament for Omaha Central game to game, but Jay Dawson was electric from start to finish. In the Eagles’ first game of the tournament, he posterized an unsuspecting Harlan, IA player which started the day off with a bang, and continued to roll from there. He dropped 34 in their next game on 12/17 shooting (and 5/5 on free throws), in a defensive grind against Omaha South he scored an efficient 19 points in the loss, and in the third place game he scored 21 on 6/10 FG. He has the best pull up and step back game in the state, and continues to refine those skills. His defense is a major strength too, and this weekend was no exception.
Karsten Mathsen | Concordia
Mathsen lit it up from distance, powering Concordia to the tournament final. He played with great competitiveness, rising to the moment and leading his team. Concordia is a very well-coached team, and they all communicate and move well, but Mathsen shined in that regard. He was the quarterback of the team on both ends. Offensively, he managed to keep everyone involved while also taking nearly 12 threes per game.
T’andre Perkins T’andre Perkins 6'5" | SF Omaha North | 2023 State NE | Omaha South
The last few times I wrote about T’Andre, he was a bright spot on a struggling Omaha North team. He has since transferred to Omaha South, where he has made an immediate impact. He fills in at the starting center spot, although he can play 3-5, with the transfer of Jacob Arop to Bellevue West, and that allows the Packers to play small and out-athlete opposing teams. Something I saw this weekend with his new team was his impact as a roll-man. Omaha South has several gifted passers who are solid in the pick and roll, and Perkins is a dynamic finisher with great hands. I am very excited about that group as the team grows more comfortable with their new addition.
Justin Otten | Concordia
There was only one player who I felt did a good job matching up against Perkins’ physicality and athleticism, and that was Justin Otten. He absorbs contact in the post, erases space, and challenges the shot without fouling. Otten was possibly the most impressive passer from a very good passing team, as well. He was excellent in the high post, scanning the floor and finding cutters for buckets. He played with great effort and energy while also playing with touch and grace, which can be a hard balance to strike in the game of basketball.
Second Team
Cole Kirschner Cole Kirschner 6'0" | PG Millard West | 2023 State NE | Millard West
Daniel Brocaille Daniel Brocaille 6'4" | SF Papio South | 2022 State NE | Papillion La Vista South
Zander Beard Zander Beard 6'0" | PG Lincoln Northeast | 2022 State NE | Lincoln Northeast
Grant Mielak Grant Mielak 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE | Lincoln Southwest
Wade Voss Wade Voss 6'5" | PF Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE | Lincoln Southeast