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.
Omaha Central Eagles
Last year's record: 20-6
Key Departures: Fai Germany, Jaren Marshall, Denim Johnson, Jakson Page
Key Additions: Zion Bang-Hendon
Returning Production: 38.0%
Omaha Central boasts one of the top players in the state in 2022 Jayden Dawson, and the team will play through him as well as fellow senior PJ Davis. They add some size with Omaha South transfer Zion Bang-Hendon, who will likely start for the Eagles. They lack some key depth past their starting 5, but it’s familiar territory for them as they’ve shown the ability to be successful in the past with limited depth. They have a terrific coach that will know how to help his team find success this year.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Deombre Brodie (Senior)
Jayden Dawson (Senior)
PJ Davis (Senior)
Raheem Briggs (Senior)
Zion Bang-Hendon (Senior)
Omaha North Vikings
Last year's record: 9-13
Key Departures: Curtis Ogba Jr, T'Andre Perkins, Darryl Bennet, Trey Leger
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 54.6%
The Vikings have a few really good pieces this year and could very easily put together a successful season. 2022 Mason Strong is amongst the most underrated players in the state, as he's a quick defender who plays strong downhill. 2024 Daleron Thomas I've liked ever since I first watched him in his 8th grade year. He possesses a great handle on the ball and uses good control to get to the rim and finish amongst the taller defenders. 2022 Keshaun Williams has averaged north of 10 points a game in back-to-back years and has 67 games of varsity experience under his belt. The Vikings return more than half of their production and are looking for more success this year.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Daleron Thomas (Sophomore)
Mason Strong (Senior)
Keshaun Williams (Senior)
Deshawn Higgins (Senior)
Taejon Wilson (Senior)
Omaha Northwest Huskies
Last year's record: 1-22
Key Departures: Landon Broer, Jayden Curtis-Sayers, Marrieon Marks, Chot Chotyiel, Dontae Reed
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 34.4%
Northwest has had a few down years, but that hasn't stopped them from trying to build up their program. They bring in new head coach Thad Perry this offseason, and showed some flashes in their summer league games. I was really impressed by the versatility and downhill aggressiveness and athletic finishing ability of Antjuan Williams. He's got a good build and can play some tough, hardnosed basketball. Senior guard Isaiah Forte-Williams was 4th on the team last year in scoring with 5.4 points a game.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Walt Busby (Senior)
Isaiah Forte-Williams (Senior)
Antjuan Williams
Maison Johnson (Senior)
Mehki Marks (Junior)
Omaha South Packers
Last year's record: 4-16
Key Departures: Jacob Arop, Zion Bang-Hendon
Key Additions: Jojo Foard, T'Andre Perkins
Returning Production: 85.3%
Omaha South was one of the youngest teams in the state last year, but they return 85% of their production from last year as well as add a few big transfers (Jojo Foard and T’Andre Perkins) and will expect good play from Sophomore Rickey Loftin, juniors Jacob Martin and Isaiah Jackson, and seniors Dontryl Nunn-Love and Teriyon Griggs. They are a well-coached team who may get a little sped up at times, but they will be much improved from last year.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Jojo Foard (Senior)
Jacob Martin (Junior)
Rickey Loftin Jr. (Sophomore)
Isaiah Jackson (Junior)
T'Andre Perkins (Junior)
Omaha Westside Warriors
Last year's record: 17-7
Key Departures: None
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 97.5%
Omaha Westside’s coach, Jim Simons, has one of the best problems a coach can have: “Which 5 guys do I start tonight?” They have 8-9 guys capable of starting games for them at any point this season. Caleb Benning, CJ Mitchell, Kevin Stubblefield, Payson Gillespie, and more will all see valuable minutes this year, so the projected starting 5 is just one of the many options they have. They return a staggering 97.5% of their production from last year, and they lead Class A in returning production from every major statistical category. Westside shares the ball very well, and can really run and gun, so don’t be surprised to see this team hit some high point totals this year.
Projected Starting 5: (Name, Year)
Charlie Davis (Senior)
Chandler Meeks (Senior)
Reggie Thomas (Senior)
Tate Odvody (Junior)
Logan Wilson (Senior)
Papillion-La Vista Monarchs
Last year's record: 16-7
Key Departures: Joey Hylok, Aidan Graham, Chase Lett
Key Additions: None
Returning Production: 51.7%
The Monarchs had a good year, but ultimately fell short of a state playoff appearance last year. They look to change that this year. 2022 Kyle Ingwerson is heading to University of Sioux Falls for basketball after this year, and he is a scoring threat as soon as he crosses the midcourt line. The post duo of Will Hubert, an Iowa football commit, and Luke Lindenmeyer, a Nebraska football commit, can hopefully put the future rivalry aside for basketball season, as this has the potential to be one of the best post duos in the Metro. 2023 Ben Boudreau is a quick, smooth-shooting, high-IQ guard that might turn some heads this year with his play.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Ben Boudreau (Junior)
Derrick Buggi (Senior)
Kyle Ingwerson (Senior)
Luke Lindenmeyer (Senior)
Will Hubert (Senior)
Papillion-La Vista South Titans
Last year's record: 15-10
Key Departures: Danair Dempsey, Graham Cassoutt, Josiah Beckenhauer, Mason Burger, Both Dol, Jack McKittrick, Tyler Culp, Jackson Trout
Key Additions: Rio Haley
Returning Production: 31.8%
The Titans lost a large portion of production, but return a few important pieces. Perhaps no piece more important than 2022 Daniel Brocaille, who is someone I've been high on for a while. Always brings effort, great defender, does whatever his team needs to help them win. 2023 Devyn Jones is a very strong player, and if he gets downhill with a head of steam, it's best to move out of the way. 2022 Rio Haley transfers in from Florida, and can really shoot the ball well. He'll be a nice drive-and-kick option for the Titans. Papio South looks to make yet another trip to state this year.
Projected Starting 5 (Name, Year)
Tyler Mackling (Senior)
Devyn Jones (Junior)
Rio Haley (Senior)
Daniel Brocaille (Senior)
Ian Medeck (Senior)