Class A boys basketball opened its district tournament with four first-round games Friday, all involving the lower seeds in five-team district brackets. Light slate, modest stakes — but one two-point nail-biter was worth staying up for. Here’s your Feb. 27 recap.
Closest Call: Grand Island 50, South Sioux City 48
The night’s tightest game went down in District A-2, where Grand Island (#30 in the NebPreps Computer Ratings) edged South Sioux City (#31) 50-48. Grand Island came in at 4-19, South Sioux City at 2-20 — neither team entered with a winning record, but someone had to move on. Grand Island held on in the final minutes to advance.
Burke Handles Bryan, Buena Vista Gets the Upset
Omaha Burke (7-17, #23) dealt Omaha Bryan the most lopsided defeat of the night, 91-57 in District A-4. In District A-1, Omaha Buena Vista (5-18, #29) knocked off Omaha South (4-17, #27) 63-57 — a minor two-rank upset by the NebPreps Computer Ratings, but Buena Vista’s best win of the season. Fremont (6-17, #25) rounded out the slate with a 66-58 win over North Platte (5-18, #26) in District A-3.
By the Numbers
Games played: 4 | Class: A | Upsets: 1 | Avg margin: 12.5 points | Closest game: 2 points (Grand Island 50, South Sioux City 48) | Biggest blowout: 34 points (Omaha Burke 91, Omaha Bryan 57)
What’s Next
Friday’s winners advance to Class A district semifinals, where they’ll face the top seeds in their respective brackets. The class’s contenders — Omaha Westside (#1, 21-4), Creighton Prep (#2, 19-5), Millard North (#3), Bellevue West (#4) — are still waiting to play their first postseason game. District finals are scheduled for March 2-3. Seven Class A district champions advance to the state tournament March 11 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
