Fifty-eight postseason games hit the hardwood Thursday across Classes B, C1, C2, D1, and D2 boys basketball. Ten teams sent home a higher-rated opponent. And in the most fitting upset of the postseason so far, Guardian Angels knocked out the Archangels. Here’s your Feb. 26 recap, powered by the NebPreps Computer Ratings.
Upset of the Day: Guardian Angels 55, Archangels Catholic 51
You can’t write this. Guardian Angels Central Catholic — rated No. 20 in Class D2 — traveled to Humphrey and eliminated No. 2 Archangels Catholic 55-51 in Subdistrict D2-3. That’s an 18-spot rating gap. Archangels entered as one of the top state tournament contenders in D2, and they won’t get there. GACC did. The bracket just got a lot more wide open in the smaller classes.
York Wins by One at Aurora
The Class B district semifinal slate was the most compelling of the night, and York’s finish at Aurora was the best game. The No. 21 Tigers went into Aurora — rated No. 7 — and won 48-47. One point. A 14-rating-spot gap. York advance to the District B-7 final and eliminated one of Class B’s legitimate state tournament threats in the process.
More Upsets to Know
Thursday’s chaos didn’t stop at the top two:
- Mount Michael Benedictine 68, West Point-Beemer 46 (C1, Subdistrict C1-5) — No. 24 Mount Michael put together the most dominant upset performance of the night, handling No. 12 West Point-Beemer by 22 at home.
- Lincoln Pius X 55, Platteview 52 (Class B, District B-5) — No. 18 Pius X edged No. 10 Platteview by three on the road to punch their ticket to the district final.
- North Bend Central 58, Freeman 54 (C2, Subdistrict C2-3) — No. 12 North Bend Central took down No. 6 Freeman on the road.
- Yutan 46, Johnson-Brock 42 (C2, Subdistrict C2-1) — No. 8 Yutan eliminated No. 3 Johnson-Brock at home.
Lincoln Christian Eliminated
One of the most notable results of the night came in Subdistrict C1-3, where No. 9 Douglas County West knocked out No. 13 Lincoln Christian 55-43. The Crusaders’ boys program won’t be making a state tournament run this year — a bracket exit that will sting for a school currently celebrating its girls program’s state title run.
Ogallala Still Perfect
The last undefeated team in Nebraska boys basketball kept it clean. Ogallala — rated No. 1 in Class C1 — dismantled No. 5 Bridgeport 85-44 in Subdistrict C1-10 to move to 23-0. The Raiders are hitting their stride at exactly the right time. No. 1 Omaha Skutt Catholic wasn’t far behind, rolling past Ralston 72-23 in the most lopsided result of the night.
By the Numbers
Games played: 58 | Upsets: 10 | Classes in action: B (district semis), C1/C2/D1/D2 (subdistrict semis) | Closest game: York 48, Aurora 47 | Biggest blowout: Gretna East 95, Gering 41 (54 points) | Games decided by 3 or fewer points: 5 | Last undefeated: Ogallala (23-0)
What’s Next
Thursday’s winners advance to subdistrict finals in Classes C1, C2, D1, and D2 — those games are coming up in the next few days to determine who advances to the district finals. In Class B, Thursday’s eight district semifinal survivors now set up for district finals on March 2-3, with the state tournament bracket beginning to take real shape. Keep up with every rating and matchup at the NebPreps Computer Ratings.
