Basketballs have been inflated, shoes have been laced up, and official practices have started. This season will bring a lot more balance into Class A, but may leave some unknowns after the departure of a very strong 2021 class. No worries, though. We will highlight all 31 Class A boys basketball teams throughout this Preseason Previews series and give you some information on every team, going 8 at a time in alphabetical order.
Bellevue East Chieftains
Last year's record: 6-17
Key Departures: TK Barnett, Ater Louis, Dige Dige, Will Foster
Key Additions: Gai Chan, Jaeden Jimenez
Returning Production: 29.3%
The Chieftains are reinventing themselves this season after seeing some major pieces depart from the team, including rim-protector Ater Louis. East is a rebuilding team that flashed some potential this summer during team camps and with various players finding success on their club teams. 2023 Eli Robinson will see some valuable court time this winter after a very good summer with Team Factory. 2022's Jaeden Jimenez and Gai Chan both played well during summer/fall leagues. 2022 Ryan Lenear will be a versatile piece for East to use as well.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Paul Schueyler (Senior)
Jaeden Jimenez (Senior)
Sam Prokupek (Senior)
Eli Robinson (Junior)
Ryan Lenear (Senior)
Bellevue West Thunderbirds
Last year's record: 25-3
Key Departures: Chucky Hepburn, Frankie Fidler, Greg Brown
Key Additions: TK Barnett, Jacob Arop, Robby Garcia, John Mitchell III, Jadyn Cascio-Jensen
Returning Production: 41.7%
A familiar face is slotted at the top of the preseason rankings. The Thunderbirds lose 2 D1 players, but they dove into the transfer portal and added some key new additions such as 2022 Jacob Arop, 2023's TK Barnett and John Mitchell III, and 2024 Jadyn Cascio-Jensen. They return key contributors such as 2022 South Dakota State pledge William Kyle, 2023 Josiah Dotzler and Jaxon Stueve, 2024 Jaden Jackson, and 2022 Evan Inselman. They also have a top incoming freshman in Robby Garcia. Their combination of skill, depth, coaching, and a winning tradition makes Bellevue West the favorite to win the state championship in what would be their 4th state championship game appearance in 5 years.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Josiah Dotzler (Junior)
Jaden Jackson (Sophomore)
Jaxon Stueve (Junior)
Evan Inselman (Senior)
Will Kyle (Senior)
Columbus Discoverers
Last year's record: 1-20
Key Departures: Garrett Esch, Hogan Kriech
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 88.6%
After a disappointing 2020/21 season that only saw the Discoverers win 1 game, they have some hopes of improvement this year, and some talent to do it with. They return back nearly 90% of their production from last year, something not a lot of teams can say. 2022 Sam Kwapnowski led the Discoverers in scoring last year (10.4 ppg) as he looks to do the same this year. 2022 Blake Thompson battled through injuries last year as he only played in 11 games, but averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game. He could very well start for the Discoverers this year. Columbus is a senior-heavy team that will be looking to improve off of last year.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Brody Mickey (Senior)
Tadan Bell (Senior)
Ean Lubbe (Senior)
Sam Kwapnowski (Senior)
Ashton Lapointe (Senior)
Creighton Prep Junior Jays
Last year's record: 23-3
Key Departures: Justin Sitti, Mai'Jhe Wiley, AJ Rollins, Brendan Buckley, Connor Buckley Alex Bullock
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 40.4%
Prep may not have the same star-power they’ve had in previous years, but the Junior Jays will still be a tough team to beat. 2022 Luke Jungers is looking for a very successful senior campaign before heading to Omaha for his college career. 2022 Casey O’Malley can build off a good summer with an increased role this year as well. 2022 Martell Evans is poised for a breakout year. He is one of the best pure athletes in the Metro, and consistently showed out for Powerhouse Hoops this summer. Prep is a well-coached team that knows how to reload, and they are looking to do so after losing a very talented senior class last year.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Joey Reischl (Junior)
Casey O'Malley (Senior)
Martell Evans (Senior)
Jadon Gbetanou (Senior)
Luke Jungers (Senior)
Elkhorn South Storm
Last year's record: 11-12
Key Departures: Derrick Merwick, Reid Nelson, Nate Hoesing, Brian Kardell
Key Additions: Koy Wilke
Returning Production: 38.0%
Elkhorn South is a team that I haven't heard many people talking about as being a potential sleeper team this year. But don't forget about the Storm. They bring in a lot of size and depth, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them crack the Top-10. They are one of the few teams that could feel comfortable running 10-11 guys a game. Their 2023 class is tremendously deep, as includes names such as Cole Ballard, Alec Noonan, Evan Werner, Jackson Moeller-Swan, Gavin Hornbacher, and Caden Stone, all of which, except for Ballard (who was busy preparing to be a 1,000-yard, 21 TD rusher for the Storm's football team) had strong summers with their OSA National teams. Another big addition to the Storm's lineup is 2022 Koy Wilke, who makes his return to the court for the first time since his Sophomore year. In the preseason rankings, the Storm were put just outside the Top-10, coming in at #11. But this team is capable of a lot more success than most think.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Cole Ballard (Junior)
Ashton Allison (Senior)
Chase Anderson (Senior)
Koy Wilke (Senior)
Parker Spann (Senior)
Fremont Tigers
Last year's record: 5-18
Key Departures: Mark Mendoza, Sam Gifford, Dawson Glause, Connor Richmond, Jadyn Cascio-Jensen
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 53.9%
Fremont is back under the leadership of Mark Williams, who coached them for 17 years including a Class A State Runner-Up trophy in 2016. Williams takes over for Joe Tynon, who left after 2 years. The Tigers are led by a trio of seniors who led the football team as well. 2022 Carter Sintek is an electric shooter, as he had a streak of 55 consecutive free throws until early last year. 2022 Micah Moore has some very good open-court speed and can get by many defenders with his quickness. 2022 Drew Sellon is a very good all-around athlete who started for the Tigers last year and can do a lot for Fremont. The Tigers don’t have much height, so they will rely on their speed and shooting ability. They have the farthest game away from home of any Nebraska team this year, as they will travel 2,793 miles for a multi-day tournament from December 14th-18th in Kissimmee, Florida.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Micah Moore (Senior)
Carter Sintek (Senior)
Drew Sellon (Senior)
Jackson Cyza (Junior)
Ashton Sagehorn (Senior)
Grand Island Islanders
Last year's record: 12-11
Key Departures: Aiden Klemme, Aidan Keyes
Key Additions: Barrett Olson
Returning Production: 88.2%
The Islanders hold the state's top prospect, Virginia commit Isaac Traudt. He is the preseason favorite for player of the year in Nebraska, and leading his team is nothing new for him. He has a bit more help this year than he did last year, as Grand Island gains a York transfer in 2023 Barrett Olson, who should help share some of the scoring responsibilities. 2022 Kytan Fyfe was an all-around force on the gridiron this year, and he looks to translate that all-around game onto the basketball court as well. They will play multiple quality out-of-state opponents including Vashon (MO), Blue Valley (KS), and Council Bluffs-Abraham Lincoln (IA). Grand Island landed just outside the preseason Top-10, but don't overlook this team.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Tyler Fay (Senior)
Kytan Fyfe (Senior)
Dylan Sextro (Senior)
Jacob Nesevara (Senior)
Issac Traudt (Senior)
Gretna Dragons
Last year's record: 12-10
Key Departures: Quinn Frost, Blake Rose
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 52.8%
Gretna is projected to start 4 Sophomores, as they have one of the best 2024 classes in the state. Landon Pokorski, Alec Wilkins, and Alex Wilcoxsen all saw good varsity minutes last year, and this year will be no different. The one non-sophomore starter will be senior Grant Jansen, a strong, smart post who finishes well around the rim despite being a good amount shorter than opposing post players. If Gretna’s youth can build off of the success they had last year as district runner-up, and play as a team as well as they did this summer, this team could really open some eyes this year as well as in the future.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Landon Pokorski (Sophomore)
Alex Wilcoxsen (Sophomore)
Joey Vieth (Sophomore)
Alec Wilkins (Sophomore)
Grant Jansen (Senior)