NEWS RELEASE
NebPreps Debuts Analytical, Comprehensive Ratings System
Poll Will Be First-of-its-Kind Computer Rankings for Nebraska High School Sports
OMAHA, Nebraska, Jan. 6th, 2026 — Analytical, comprehensive, fact-based and transparent describe a cutting-edge ratings system that will debut for Nebraska high school sports in 2026. NebPreps, powered by Hurrdat Sports, now offers the first computer ratings for Nebraska high school sports to provide fans, coaches and the media with a powerful new tool to evaluate teams across Class A, B, C-1, C-2, D-1 and D-2 throughout the season.
“High school sports fans deserve the same analytical tools that college and pro sports fans have had for years,” NebPreps reporter and content creator Mike Sautter said. “This fills a gap in Nebraska high school sports coverage with transparent, fact-based ratings that will spark conversation and give fans a deeper understanding of the competitive landscape.”
NebPreps computer ratings for boys and girls basketball are currently available at https://hurrdatsports.com/nebpreps/. Weekly updates will be published every Tuesday throughout the regular season with additional sports to be added in the future.
Why computer ratings matter:
Computer ratings reduce subjective bias from the ranking process. While human editorial polls rely on perception, reputation and limited observations, the NebPreps computer ratings will evaluate every team based solely on what happens on a court, diamond or field. The result is a comprehensive assessment that:
NebPreps, which provides comprehensive coverage, polls and awards for Nebraska high school sports, will continue to publish a weekly coaches poll to give fans both traditional and analytical perspectives. The computer ratings will provide an objective complement to human-driven polls, similar to models used in college sports.
How the ratings system works:
The NebPreps computer ratings system is built on a points-based efficiency model that evaluates teams through these key dimensions:
“We waited until week five of the high school basketball season to launch the rating system to allow for sufficient data collection,” Sautter said. “Early-season ratings with limited game samples can be unreliable and volatile. By week five, basketball teams have typically played four to eight games, which provides enough information for meaningful initial assessments, while still leaving most of the season ahead.”
The computer ratings have limitations:
“Our ratings are one lens through which to evaluate teams,” Sautter said. “We encourage fans and analysts to consider ratings alongside traditional polls, expert opinions and their own observations. The best analysis combines multiple perspectives.”
As the season progresses, the NebPreps computer ratings system will:
“We’re excited to bring this analytical dimension to Nebraska high school sports,” Sautter said. “We encourage fans to follow NebPreps for weekly updates and join the conversation as we track the 2025-26 high school sports season through data-driven insights.”
ABOUT HURRDAT SPORTS
Hurrdat Sports offers spectators a new, engaging way to consume local sports media in Nebraska. Covering athletic events from Nebraska, Creighton, UNO and everything in between, Hurrdat Sports strives to generate podcasts, video and social media content that contains in-depth coverage, player perspectives and expertise that can’t be found anywhere in the state.
Hurrdat Sports Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
Media Contact: Sausha Durkan – sausha@hurrdatsports.com
