Each week during the high school basketball season, select coaches from the six Nebraska classes rate the teams in their class and our Tony Chapman compiles the rankings.
Here is the girls basketball coaches poll for 1-8-24, presented by Pinnacle Bank.
Records are for games played through Monday, December 18.
Class A (Record), Previous
- Millard West (11-0), 1
- Millard North (9-2), 2
- Omaha Central (12-2), 5
- Lincoln Southwest (10-1), 7
- Lincoln Northeast (9-2), 8
- Omaha Marian (8-2), 9
- Bellevue West (6-4), 6
- Lincoln North Star (7-2), 3
- Lincoln Pius X (6-3), 4
- Omaha Westside (9-4), NR
Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southeast (6-3), RV.
Comments: Millard West – now tested – is a unanimous No. 1. After that it gets jumbled with the next three – Millard North, Central and Lincoln Southwest – all getting at least one second place vote. But, with only 11 teams receiving votes, it appears we have identified our state tournament contenders.
Class B (Record), Previous
- Elkhorn North (10-0), 1
- Skutt Catholic (10-1), 2
- Norris (8-2), 6
- Beatrice (10-1), 3
- Waverly (7-3), 5
- Bennington (8-3), 4
- Seward (6-5), 8
- Elkhorn (7-3), 9
- Gretna East (6-5), 10
- South Sioux City (7-5), 7
Receiving Votes: Scottsbluff (7-5), NR.
Comments: Elkhorn North solidifies their top ranking with a 71-53 win over Omaha Skutt on Saturday. The Skyhawks remain second and Norris – which played a 47-37 game with Elkhorn North in the EMC finals – moves to third. Beatrice is a strong fourth after defeating Class A Kearney at the Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase.
Class C-1 (Record), Previous
- Sidney (11-0), 4
- Lincoln Christian (10-1), 1
- Bridgeport (10-0), 2
- Gothenburg (10-1), 6
- GICC (11-1), 10
- Minden (9-2), 3
- Broken Bow (10-2), 7
- Adams Central (9-2), 5
- Battle Creek (10-1), 9
- Malcolm (8-3), 8
Receiving Votes: Arlington (11-2), NR: Columbus Scotus (7-5), NR.
Comments: The same ten teams are ranked as before Christmas, but there was plenty of movement. At the top, Sidney defeated Lincoln Christian at the Showcase in an absolute classic to take the top spot from the Crusaders. We could see that one again. Minden stole a big road win from Beatrice before Christmas, but lost to GICC in their holiday tournament. Broken Bow edges past AC after a holiday tournament win as well.
Class C-2 (Record), Previous
- Crofton (13-0), 1
- Elmwood-Murdock (10-1), 4
- Bishop Neumann (9-1), 2
- Hastings St. Cecilia (8-2), 5
- Oakland-Craig (9-3), 6
- Cross County (12-1), 3
- Yutan (8-2), 7
- Freeman (11-1), 9
- Niobrara/Verdigre (9-3), 10
- Thayer Central (8-2), NR
Receiving Votes: Bayard (10-1), NR; Clarkson/Leigh (9-4), NR; Norfolk Catholic (6-5), NR.
Comments: We know only that the coaches believe Crofton to be the best team in this class. After that, there is plenty to ponder with 13 teams receiving votes this week. Elmwood-Murdock jumps Neumann and St. Cecilia with Oakland-Craig and Cross County behind. Thayer Central enters for the first time this season.
Class D-1 (Record), Previous
- Pender (14-0), 1
- Guardian Angels CC (12-1), 2
- Southern Valley (12-1), 3
- O’Neill St. Mary’s (9-2), 4
- Johnson-Brock (10-1), 10
- Elgin Public/Pope John (11-1), 7
- Summerland (11-2), NR
- McCool Junction (8-3), 6
- Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (11-1), 5
- Elm Creek (9-3), NR
Receiving Votes: Amherst (8-4), 8; Alma (10-1), NR; Centura (7-5), 9; .
Comments: In looking at scores, it seems that Pender, GACC and Southern Valley may be the class of D-1. The rest are chasing and all could be very equal; even contenders Amherst, Alma and Centura. Summerland – with a win over St. Mary’s – and Elm Creek – with three ranked losses and a win over Alma crack the top-10. Johnson-Brock has ripped off 10 straight after an opening loss to Lincoln Christian.
Class D-2 (Record), Previous
- Falls City Sacred Heart (10-2), 2
- Overton (10-1), 3
- Wynot (8-2), 1
- Leyton (10-0), 4
- Sandhills/Thedford (10-2), 6
- Shelton (8-3), 5
- Howells-Dodge (7-5), RV
- Hay Springs (9-3), NR
- Paxton (7-4), 10
- Wilcox-Hildreth (8-4), NR
Receiving Votes: Humphrey St. Francis (6-6), 8; Plainview (8-4), NR.
Comments: The top-four teams in this week’s poll each garnered at least one first place vote. The next three each have strong wins against teams in classes above since the last ranking, with Howells-Dodge back in the rankings after nearly pulling an upset over Class D-1, No. 2 GACC. Hay Springs and Wilcox-Hildreth enter for the first time this season.
