An eventful Sunday across all six boys basketball classes produced 26 postseason games, nine upsets by the NebPreps Computer Ratings, and a handful of results that will reshape the state tournament picture heading into the final week of district play. Here’s your daily recap.
Upset of the Day: Lincoln Pius X Shocks Wahoo in Class B
The night’s most stunning result came out of Class B’s District B-5 final, where Lincoln Pius X — ranked 18th with an 8-16 record — knocked off fifth-ranked Wahoo (18-4) by a final of 67-53. That’s a 13-spot swing in the NebPreps Computer Ratings, the largest upset magnitude of the entire night. Wahoo entered as a heavy favorite and a legitimate state contender. Lincoln Pius X punched their ticket to Lincoln anyway.
Class C1: Syracuse Sends Cozad Home
The second-biggest upset of the night belonged to Class C1, where Syracuse (16-7, #15) eliminated Cozad (22-2, #3) 60-53 in the District C1-3 final — a 12-spot swing in the ratings. Cozad’s season ends with a résumé that earned them a spot as a top-three program in C1 all year; Syracuse earns a state tournament bid and the right to call themselves the biggest bracket-busters of the postseason so far.
Class A: Lincoln High Upsets Creighton Prep — But the Jays Aren’t Done Yet
In Class A, Lincoln High (#12, 14-8) handed Creighton Prep (#2, 19-5) a 62-55 loss in the District A-3 final — a 10-spot upset by the ratings. Creighton Prep’s district run is over, but their season may not be. As a losing district finalist, the Jays are now in the wildcard race. Per the latest NSAA standings, Creighton Prep sits third in Class A wildcard points at 45.88, and with Bellevue West already advancing as a district champion, the teams ahead of them are rapidly coming off the board. If Omaha Westside wins their district final tonight, Creighton Prep could be the top-ranked losing finalist and the likely wildcard recipient.
Upsets to Know
- Papillion-LaVista (#8) def. Lincoln North Star (#6), 48-46 — Class A District A-6: A two-point final in one of the night’s closest games. PL handed North Star a tough finish in what amounted to a coin-flip matchup.
- Pender (#14) def. Kimball (#7), 59-43 — Class C2 District Final C2-6: Kimball entered ranked and favored; Pender won by 16 and didn’t look back.
- Falls City Sacred Heart (#11) def. Leyton (#7), 67-51 — Class D2 District Final D2-8: Sacred Heart handled the #7 seed comfortably, a four-spot upset on the ratings.
- Freeman (#6) def. Johnson-Brock (#3), 60-36 — Class C2 District Final C2-7: Johnson-Brock entered at 21-3; Freeman won going away by 24.
Closest Call: Millard North Holds Off Lincoln Southeast by One
The tightest finish of the night came in Class A’s District A-5 final. Millard North (#3) held off Lincoln Southeast (#10) 64-63 in a single-possession finish. The Mustangs are state bound; Southeast’s season ends at 13-10. Papillion-LaVista’s two-point escape in District A-6 wasn’t far behind.
Top Seeds Rolling
The top seeds in Classes B, D1, and D2 all took care of business. Omaha Skutt Catholic (#1 in Class B, 22-2) dispatched Gretna 44-36 in the District B-1 final, keeping the state’s second-highest rated team on track for a deep run. Norris (#2 in Class B) made an even louder statement, routing Omaha Gross Catholic 86-25 — a 61-point margin that stands as the night’s biggest blowout. In Class D1, #1 Howells-Dodge (20-3) dismantled BDS 77-44. Class D2’s #1 St. Mary’s (22-2, rating 94.23 — highest in any class) rolled past Nebraska Lutheran 90-58. Valentine (#4 in C2) put up 99 points in a 99-57 rout of Hemingford.
By the Numbers
Games played: 26 | Upsets: 9 | Average margin: 18.5 points | Biggest blowout: Norris 86, Omaha Gross Catholic 25 (+61) | Closest game: Millard North 64, Lincoln Southeast 63 (+1) | Games decided by 5 or fewer: 3
What’s Next
Monday’s slate wraps up the remaining Class A and B district finals, with Millard South vs. Omaha Westside headlining Class A and Bennington vs. Omaha Roncalli Catholic among the Class B matchups. Tonight’s Class A results will also settle the wildcard picture — once the final district champions are determined, the top-ranked losing finalist claims the eighth and final state berth. The remaining C1, C2, D1, and D2 district finals conclude this week before all six classes converge in Lincoln for the state tournament March 11-14 at Pinnacle Bank Arena and the Bob Devaney Center.
