Class A Check-In: Lincoln, Part 2

Class A basketball will be as competitive as it’s ever been in Lincoln this upcoming season. I wanted to take some time to highlight key players from a few Class A teams in Lincoln that I got to see over the past few months. I also wanted to give a mini-preview of what I expect from each squad this upcoming season as they prepare for an exciting battle to see who’s the king of the city. Here’s Part 2.  Lincoln Northstar  Key Players to Watch: Brennon Clemmons Jr., Jake Hilkemann Jake Hilkemann 6'4" | SF Lincoln North Star | 2024 State NE , Antallah Sandlin’el Antallah Sandlin’el 6'7" | PF Lincoln North Star | 2023 State NE , Kajuan Sidney, Kuet Gatwech Kuet Gatwech 6'2" | SF Lincoln North Star | 2024 State NE Northstar will be putting out some very young lineups this year, but that will not hold them back from competing at a high level. Brennon Clemmons Jr. is no doubt one of the stars of this squad. He’s got a great nose for the ball when rebounding and is a phenomenal shot blocker. Clemmons Jr. can also stretch the floor on offense and will be a true double-double threat every night. Lining up in the frontcourt with him will be junior Antallah Sandlin’el Antallah Sandlin’el 6'7" | PF Lincoln North Star | 2023 State NE . He really impressed me this summer with his shooting ability at 6’7 and was great at attacking closeouts. Northstar also boasts a trio of sophomores that will be excellent players for years to come. Point guard Kajuan Sidney is blur attacking the hoop and has a budding pull-up game, Guard Kuet "KG" Gatwech is a great on-ball defender and is solid attacking the hoop as well, and guard Jake Hilkemann Jake Hilkemann 6'4" | SF Lincoln North Star | 2024 State NE is one of the most offensively skilled players in his class. This team is going to be a PROBLEM for years to come.  Lincoln Southwest  Key Players to Watch: Rylan Smith Rylan Smith 6'1" | PG Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE , Ben Hunzeker Ben Hunzeker 6'3" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE , Bhan Buom Bhan Buom 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE , Lukas Helms Lukas Helms 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE , Chuck Love Jr, Grant Mielak Grant Mielak 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE I love the mix of youth and experience that the Silverhawks will have this season. Ben Hunzeker Ben Hunzeker 6'3" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE is near the top of everyone’s most underrated player’s list. He plays with incredible poise offensively and has a knack for making the right play on both sides of the ball. He’s the quintessential team player and it’s only right that he shares a backcourt with another unselfish player in Rylan Smith Rylan Smith 6'1" | PG Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE . Smith should have a monster season after having dealt with some injury last year. He sees the floor well and is a vocal leader on the court. A common theme amongst the players on this squad is that they make the right play, and junior Lukas Helms Lukas Helms 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE is no different. He doesn’t force it on offense and I loved his activity level on defense all summer. Chuck Love Jr. should get some run as a freshman this year with his already eye-popping shooting ability. Bhan Buom Bhan Buom 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE has a high ceiling as a 6’6 wing who can put it on the floor and get to the rim with ease. The Silverhawks will be one of the most fun teams to watch this season with their fast pace and high volume three-point shooting.  Lincoln Southeast Key Players to Watch: Wade Voss Wade Voss 6'7" | PF Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE , Jake Appleget Jake Appleget 6'4" | SF Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE , Taye Moore Taye Moore 5'9" | PG Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE , Bangot Dak Bangot Dak 6'7" | SF Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE   This is the youngest team in the city and they will be in their second year under Coach Werning. The Knights will have some great building blocks with players like Wade Voss Wade Voss 6'7" | PF Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE and Taye Moore Taye Moore 5'9" | PG Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE . Voss is a versatile forward who has a nice face-up game and he has really started to pop now with his added athleticism. Moore is one of the best guards in his class and does it with pure basketball ability. His handle is tight and he uses it to get all the way to the rim for tough finishes, or he can create space to pull from three. His game is nice and will only get better with time. Bangot Dak Bangot Dak 6'7" | SF Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE will be another guy to watch. He’s a solid shot blocker due to his immense wingspan and has some floor spacing ability. If he continues to improve his handle and add more strength, he’ll be a really intriguing prospect.