The Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 1995

Friday, April 28, 2017

12:41 AM

The Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 1995

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

The year 1995 marked an incredible run for Coach Rick Collura and Lincoln Northeast basketball. Coach Collura’s 1994/1995 Rocket basketball team is considered by some as the best Nebraska prep basketball team of all time.

There will be stiff arguments from those who are certain one of Eric Behrens Omaha Central teams from this current era are the best ever.

As a follow-up to this article, I will present a piece that reflects the opinions of some of the finest prep basketball minds of our fine state on this subject.

And now, on to 1995:

*Class D-2:

Quarterfinals:

(16-3) Giltner 71, Beaver City 68 (14-5)

(16-7) Table Rock 61, Lodgepole 47 (19-3)

(20-2) Elgin 53, Arcadia 43 (11-8)

(16-5) Chester-Hubbell-Byron 58, Lindsay Holy Family 37 (17-5)

Semifinals:

(17-7) Table Rock 86, Giltner 67 (17-3)

(21-2) Elgin 60, Chester-Hubbell-Byron 49 (17-5)

Finals:

(22-2) Elgin 51, Table Rock 39 (18-7)

D-2 Champion: Elgin (23-2),

*The D-2 All-Tournament team was an all senior unit. D-2 tournament scoring leader Matt Cumro-Table Rock (6-2), Dave Ochsner (6-2) of Elgin and his classmate B.J. Schmitt (6-3), Chris Eitzmann of Chester-Hubbell-Byron (6-5) and Beaver City’s 6-3 Jason Seim.

*The tournament scoring leader as we said, was Matt Cumro of Table Rock. A 35 point outburst in the 86-67 semifinal win over Giltner propelled Cumro to a three day total of 73 points. B. J. Schmidt of Elgin was a distant second with 53 points.

*In the D-2 final, Table Rock sailed into the 4th quarter with a 31-28 advantage over Elgin despite a lack of points from Matt Cumro, who was held in check. Elgin, who won it all in 1993, came roaring back in the money quarter, outscoring the Tigers 23-10. B.J. Schmidt led the way with 17 points as Elgin walked away with a 51-39 win and a 2nd Class D-1 crown in three years. Table Rock’s Cumro suffered through a 5 for 16 shooting day from the field and could muster only 15 points in the loss. Being double-teamed by Elgin all day didn’t help matters.

The D-2 championship game did have 7 ties and 13 lead changes despite Elgin’s 4th quarter dominance.

B. J. Schmidt’s 9 treys in the 1995 State Tournament was a big deal back then. That 3 day total tied him with Hampton’s Mark Dick for the D-2 tournament record.

*Class D-1:

Quarterfinals:

(23-1) Clearwater 53, Shelton 52 (15-5)

(23-1) Paxton 56, Bertrand 43 (15-5)

(16-6) Mead 51, Pleasanton 39 (23-0)

(21-5) Sterling 54, Dodge 51 (19-3)

Semifinals:

(24-1) Paxton 57, Clearwater 50 (24-1)

(22-5) Sterling 44, Mead 28 (17-6)

Finals:

(25-1) Paxton 54, Sterling 46 (23-5)

D-1: Paxton (26-1). Head Coach: Jody Rhodes

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; The 1995 D-1 squad featured a couple of seniors, 2 juniors and a sophomore. 6-3 Andy Ahlers of Clearwater and Paxton’s Kiffin Anderson (5-9) were the two veterans to make the mythical team. Juniors Justin Haynes of Sterling (6-4) and Paxton’s 6-4 ace Lindley Thompson were included plus Mead’s outstanding sophomore Travis Howell (6-1).

*The D-1 Tournament scoring contest was a two way race between Sterling’s Justin Haynes and Paxton’s Thompson. Haynes nosed out his Paxton junior counterpart by a single point, 63-62 to take scoring honors in the 1995 D-1 tournament.

Thompson bested Haynes in their finals meeting, 25-19 when it mattered. Haynes was at his best during the opening day 54-51 victory over Dodge with his 28 point output.

*The D-1 championship game featured another dominating 4th quarter by the winning team. Sterling held a 41-34 lead entering that final stanza but Paxton role players Shad Hansmeier and Mitch Perlinger made critical free throws down the stretch, lifting the Tigers to a win. It was especially sweet for Jody Rhodes and his Paxton team since Sterling had previously notched back-to-back C-2 championships before dropping down to D-1 for the 1994-95 season.

Hansmeier’s only two points of the game, a converted 1+1 with :41.7 seconds left, gave Paxton a 4 point cushion (50-46). Lindley Thompson led Paxton with 25 big ones on a sharpshooting 12 of 16 shooting from the field performance. Thompson attempted only two long distance shots in the game, connecting on one 3-pointer.

Rhodes also coached the Paxton girls to a D-1 State Volleyball title the previous fall.

*Class C-2:

Quarterfinals:

(19-3) Laurel 59, Doniphan 52 (21-2)

(24-1) Sandy Creek 75, Sutton 53 (15-7)

(23-0) Cambridge 85, Fremont Bergan 57 (14-7)

(21-2) Lincoln Christian 89, Stanton 61 (20-3)

Semifinals:

(20-3) Laurel 56, Sandy Creek 38 (25-1)

(22-2) Lincoln Christian 86, Cambridge 63 (24-0)

Finals:

(21-3) Laurel 74, Lincoln Christian 59 (23-2)

C-2 Champion: Laurel (22-3) Head Coach:

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team; Three seniors and 2 juniors made up the C-2 Tournament Dream team, which consisted of two players each from Laurel and Lincoln Christian plus a shining star junior from Stanton.

Twin brothers Jared and Jeremy Reinoehl (6-4) of Laurel plus 6-6 Aaron Marshbanks of Lincoln Christian were the seniors to be named while Lincoln Christian junior Matt Drevo and unstoppable junior Jon Dolliver (6-5) from Stanton rounded out the team.

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring honors went to Jeremy Reinoehl of Laurel, who compiled a 3 day point total of 72 points, including his game honors 31 in the finals win over Lincoln Christian. The Crusader’s Matt Drevo was next in line with 57 points.

The high point mark in the C-2 tournament…...you guessed it, Jon Dolliver, who drained 32 points in Stanton’s opening round loss to Lincoln Christian.

Any knowledgeable basketball fan knew it would take a terrific defensive effort for anyone to stop Lincoln Christian from taking the C-2 crown. With an inside trio of 6-8 Matt Drevo, 6-6 Aaron Marshbanks and 6-11 Charlie Carsten, the Crusaders looked more like a college team and with the venerable Wes Sheppard guiding the ship, it looked like a lock to many.

Laurel had other ideas with their aggressive, ball hawking defense. Things were all square at 27 at the half, but a 26-12 third quarter advantage, coupled with an uplifting performance by Jeremy Reinoehl lifted the Bears to the 74-59 win.

Lincoln Christian’s Tim McEwen didn’t think anyone in C-2 could stop his team with that overpowering inside height, but the high leaping Reinoehl twins, the tallest Laurel players at 6-4, matched jumping skills with all the Crusader’s skyscrapers.

Jeremy Reinoehl’s 31 points, as previously stated, led the way for Laurel. Tyler Erwin added 19 but it was the Bears defense who forced 23 Lincoln Christian turnovers, that proved to be the difference.

Class C-1:

Quarterfinals:

(16-7) Fairbury 59, Wahoo 59 (25-0)...(47 game winning streak coming in)

(21-3) Madison 49, Mitchell 47 (19-3)

(21-1) Grand Island Central Catholic 93, Ashland-Greenwood 82 (12-5)

(21-2) St. Paul 49, Hartington Cedar Catholic 48 (18-4)

Semifinals:

(17-7) Fairbury 54, Madison 36 (22-3)

(22-2) St. Paul 57, Grand Island Central Catholic 55 (22-1) {Overtime}

Finals:

(23-2) St. Paul 55, Fairbury 42 (18-7)

C-1 Champion: St. Paul (24-2). Head Coach: Rick Peters

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team was comprised of a duo from C-1 champion St. Paul, a pair from runner-up Fairbury and a standout junior from GICC.

St. Paul’s duo was 6-2 senior Tom Mudloff and 6-4 junior Brandon Wardyn. Fairbury placed senior Ryan Hadden, a 6-3 senior and 6-6 sophomore Jon Beerbohm to the all-tournament squad, while GICC’s high scoring junior Eric Strand (6-8), rounded out the quintet of stars. You were only just beginning to hear about Beerbohm.

The C-1 tournament scoring crown went to Grand Island Central Catholic standout Eric Strand, who played in only two games. Big Strappy logged games of 35 and 23 to hit his 58 point total, which was 13 points better than Ryan Hadden of Fairbury.

Many thought the C-1 championship game was contested in the semifinals. Bitter rivals St. Paul and GICC faced off in that game, one day after the Crusaders laid 93 points on Ashland-Greenwood in a 93-82 win. St. Paul skipper Rick Peters burned the midnight oil well into the night and figured out a way to outsmart Bill Gavers, coming away with a 57-55 overtime victory over the Crusaders.

More amazing was the fact that talented Wildcat team had enough left in the tank to best Fairbury 55-42 the next day to take the Class C-1 crown.

Fairbury battled gamely for 3 quarters in that one, gaining a 34-33 lead going into the 4th quarter. Stopping Beerbohm was the key to stopping the Jeffs and Peters knew it. The St. Paul defense continuously denied Beerbohm the ball at the low post, meanwhile forcing the Jeffs into an abysmal 3-19 shooting day from beyond the arc.

It was again that 4th and money quarter that provided the margin of victory for St. Paul. The 22-8 advantage salted away the 1995 C-1 crown for a well deserving Rick Peters.

And how about that post season performance from Wildcat sixth man, Tom Mudloff.

Entering that post-season, Mudloff was 6 of 32 from downtown…… six of 32. But during the district tournament, Mudloff was a perfect 7-7 from downtown and drained 8 of 14 during the 3 day Wildcat state tournament title run.

The money man in the 55-42 finals win over Fairbury was Tom Mudloff, who nailed 4 treys and converted 4-4 from the charity stripe for 16 points. Money Man Mudloff.

Class B: 1st Round pairings were:

Quarterfinals:

(16-5) Ralston 80, Ogallala 66 (16-4)

(21-1) Norris 60, Schuyler 50 (9-11)

(13-7) Waverly 70, Boys Town 69 (20-4) {Overtime}

(16-4) Lexington 72, Scottsbluff 62 (15-6)

Semifinals:

(22-1) Norris 58, Ralston 53 (17-5)

(17-4) Lexington 54, Waverly 35 (14-7)

Finals:

(23-1) Norris 60, Lexington 59 (18-4)

Class B Champion: Norris (24-1). Head Coach: Curt Carlson

*The Class B All-Tournament Team consisted of 3 juniors and 2 seniors. 6-4 Isaak Russell of state champion Norris and Lexington’s 6-4 Justin Thomalla were the seniors. 6-0 Chris Boesinger of Norris, 5-11 Ryan Bliven of Lexington and Ralston’s 6-3 Dusty Dubbs were the juniors.

*The Tournament scoring title was won by Chris Boesinger of Norris with his 3 day total of 55 tallies (10, 26, 19 points) That was 13 to the good of Justin Thomalla of Lexington (13, 16, 13 points respectively).

*The Class B final was a whale of a ball game that saw Curt Carlson’s Titans back in the finals after a loss to Wahoo the previous year. A young head coach Chip Bahe brought a fine Lexington team to Lincoln and proved to be a more than worthy opponent for Norris.

Back and forth they went, Norris taking a 16-13 first quarter lead, then the Minutemen rebounding to grab a 35-31 halftime lead.

Norris unleashed the talents of Chris Boesinger and Adam Zitterman in the 3rd frame to regain the lead heading into the final quarter, 48-45.

Good thing Norris had a small cushion because Zitterman fouled out with 3:22 remaining in the game, followed by Boesinger with 1:54 showing on the clock.

At that point, the Titans owned a slim 54-52 lead but Lexington’s Ryan Bliven made a spinning layup to tie it at 54, then hit a fade away 10 foot jumper to give the Minutemen a 56-54 lead. 1:10 remained in the Class B title game after Bliven’s two buckets.

It was time for the Titans Nate Jasa to take over. 44 seconds earlier, Jasa, a junior classmate of Chris Boesinger, told the Norris star he would take over for him the remainder of the contest. Jasa did just that, running the show, cashing in on a couple of free throws with 17 seconds left, to give Norris a 60-56 lead.

Lexington wasn’t finished just yet as Jason Hubbard drained a three pointer with 4 seconds left, pulling the Minutemen to within 60-59. But it was too little, too late as the Titans Brandon Boldt inbounded the ball to Isaak Russell, who simply ran the ball the length of the court to run out the clock, giving Norris the 60-59 win.

Class A:

(19-3) Lincoln Northeast 62, Grand Island 50 (12-9)

(17-5) Omaha Burke 76, Lincoln Southeast 70 (18-5)

(15-9) Creighton Prep 64, Norfolk 57 (18-3)

(17-5) Millard South 62, North Platte 59 (13-8)

Semifinals:

(20-3) Lincoln Northeast 71, Omaha Burke 66 (18-5)

(18-5) Millard South 37, Creighton Prep 30 (15-9)

Finals:

(21-3) Lincoln Northeast 79, Millard South 53 (18-5)

Class A Champion: Lincoln Northeast (22-3). Head Coach: Rick Collura

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of 4 seniors and a lone junior. Lincoln NE star Alton Mason was the only junior to be named while seniors Greg Gerlach of Lincoln Northeast (6-7), his classmate B.J. Helmstadter (6-0), Alvin Mitchell (6-0) of Omaha Burke and Creighton Prep’s 6-9 post player T.J. Pugh made up the remainder of the squad.

*Tournament scoring honors went to Lincoln NE junior flash Alton Mason, who netted 62 points during his three day stay at the Big Dance. Mason had games of 22, 14 and 26 to get the honor. Burke’s Alvin Mitchell was next with 48 points (23, 25) in just two outings.

*The All Class/All-Tournament Team consisted of seniors B.J. Helmstadter of Lincoln NE, Greg Gerlach-Lincoln NE and Alvin Mitchell of Omaha Burke. Juniors Chris Boesinger-Norris and Lincoln Northeast’s Alton Mason also made the big All-Tournament squad. Greg Gerlach was a repeat selection.

*The Class A championship game was a contest Millard South may have never seen coming. Apparently, Lincoln Northeast coach Rick Collura put his team through what his players called a “boot camp” after a pre-district loss to Millard South.

B.J. Helmstadter referred to that period as “joining the army” and the suffocating defense and high octane offense the Rockets laid on Millard South in the Class A championship game must have been a result of that.

Millard South’s deliberate offense was no match for the fury Collura’s forces delivered to the Indians that day. The Rockets jumped to a 21-9 opening quarter lead and coasted to a convincing 79-53 victory to garner the Class A crown.

Helmstadter exploded for 28 points to lead Lincoln Northeast in the route. Greg Gerlach added 14 and rugged Jeff Wells added 11.

***Senator Bob Kerry, a 1962 Northeast grad, was allowed to sit on the Rocket bench during the championship game. Big Jeff Wells wasn’t inhibited in the least and tapped Kerry, a Democrat, on the shoulder during the contest. He said “Senator Kerry, I’d like you to meet Jeff Fagler. He’s the president of the Northeast Young Republicans.” Nobody seems to recall Kerry’s response.

* * * * * * * * * *

*1995 Class D-2 All-State Team*

David Ochsner-Elgin** - 6-2, Senior (22.4 ppg/9.9 rpg)

Dan Filipi-Shickley** - 6-0, Senior (24.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Benji Hoegh-Hampton - 5-11, Senior (21.9 ppg/.15.4 rpg)

Matt Cumro-Table Rock* - 6-3, Senior (23.1 ppg/8.7 rpg)

Aaron Hill-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-4, Senior (21.2 ppg/.7.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Doug Rader-Trumbull* - 6-1, Senior (28.1 ppg/.7.2 rpg)

Chris Eitzmann-Chester-Hubbell-Byron - 6-5, Senior (11.8 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Trevor Hoegh-Hampton- 6-0, Junior (18.2 ppg/5.9 rpg)

Judd Chatelain-Rising City* - 6-2, Junior (22.6 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Mark Peppel-Butte - 6-2, Senior (20.4 ppg/12.4 rpg)

*Benji Hoegh is an Assistant Principal at York Elementary Schools.

*Judd Chatelain is working for Landscapes Unlimited in Lincoln right now. Many know his brother Dirk Chatelain, who is widely recognized as one of the finest sports writers in the Midwest. Dirk writes for the Omaha World-Herald and covers a variety of sports ranging from Husker football to prep sports and is usually summoned to write the big stories.

*Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State:

*Seniors: Jeremy Van Slyke-Arcadia; Jeremy Epp-Arthur; Jason Seim-Beaver City; Jason Eichelberger, Jon Martin-Beemer; Jason Hirschfeld-Benedict; Nate Steinke, Chad Bratten-Brady; Matt Koehler-Bruning; Steve Hostert-Butte; Colby Herman-Clarks; Daron Peshek-Clay Center; Ryan Hogue-Dawson-Verdon; Nate Christ-Diller; Brent Zoubek-Dorchester; B.J. Schmitt, Chad Sullivan, Aaron Andrews-Elgin; Shawn Harre, Matt Oldehoeft-Exeter; Scott Bettger-Fairmont; Nate Froeschl, Marc Knobbe, Brian McKim-Falls City Sacred Heart; Aaron Adams-Gering Heritage Christian; Travis Beck, Carl Hines-Giltner; Jason Jarosz-Humphrey St. Francis; Eric Jarecki, Justin Arlt-Lindsay Holy Family; Bret Bondegard, Chris Butts-Lodgepole; Ryan Conner, Jamie Wells-Loup County; Troy Gilson-Maxwell; Justin Capek, Aaron Taylor-Milligan; Andy Hurner-Monroe; Curt Lemrick-Nebraska City Lourdes; Tim Hubka-Odell; Trevor Hall-Sandhills; Tim Reilly-Spalding Academy; Jeff Faimon-Stratton; Tyler Binder-Table Rock; Kevin Martin-Trenton; Bernie Leiser-Wheeler Central and Terry Brummer-Wynot.

Juniors: Steve Harder-Beaver City; Erik Kravig-Benedict; Troy Tomjack-Chambers; Tyson Vorderstrasse, Nathan Hill-Chester-Hubbell-Byron; Jason Hajny-Clay Center; Chris Kirkpatrick-Dorchester; Sam Vancourney-Elgin; Craig Ideus-Filley; Chris Flesner-Lewiston; Jeremy Stanislav-Prague; Jason Hinze-Rising City; Doug Gross, Lanny Lautenschlager-Shickley; Jason Nepple, Mark Hooker-Spalding High and Kyle Grossart-Wolbach.

Sophomores: Shane Godtel-Arcadia; Scott Hansen, Chris Graham-Coleridge; Shawn Hostetler-Dorchester; Jason Wright-Orleans and Ade Allen-Wolbach.

Freshman: Anthony Harms-Filley; Paul Kosch-Humphrey St. Francis.

*1995 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Lindley Thompson-Paxton* - 6-4, Junior (27.8 ppg/9.5 rpg)

Justin Haynes-Sterling - 6-4, Junior (20.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Brian Phillips-Axtell - 6-6, Senior (20.2 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Adam Ahlers-Clearwater - 6-8, Senior (19.5 ppg/.12.8 rpg)

Shaun Gee-Palmer - 6-6, Junior (19.5 ppg/10.1 rpg)

2nd Team:

Ryan Linder-Pleasanton - 6-5, Senior (18.1 ppg/13.1 rpg)

Kiffin Anderson-Paxton - 5-9, Senior (17.2 ppg/1.3 rpg)

Rob McCarter-Overton - 6-1, Senior (20.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Dan Dyer-Hyannis - 5-11, Senior (24.5 ppg/8.5 rpg)

Jeremy Franklin-Wallace - 6-0, Junior (23.0 ppg/12.3 rpg)

*Class D-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Mark Christensen-Ansley; Brandon Lindau, Travis Trompke-Axtell; Richard Stanley-Big Springs; Pat Bloom-Cedar Rapids; Andy Ahlers, Seth Brummels-Clearwater; Mark Wisneski-Dodge; Colin Reilly-Greeley; Bart Peters-Hay Springs; Zac Garris-Humboldt; Greg Gourka-Humphrey; Charles Ferguson; Chad Cattau-Leigh; Tim Slocum-Litchfield; Chris Downey-Maywood; Matt Sobotka, Brain Rut-Meridian; Cass Corman-Nelson; Will Wittier-Nemaha Valley; Dan Hunt, Ryan Luke-Oxford; Tim Nicholas, Jeffrey Strong, Brad Bowhay-Pawnee City; Mitch Perlinger-Paxton; John Phillips-Pleasanton: Josh Bridges-Polk-Hordville; Casey Beran-Sargent; Shane Augustin-Shelby; Kris Shubert-SE Consolidated; Dale Hanna-Stapleton; Justin Pierce-SEM; Sam Grant-Walthill; Shannon Elwood, Matt Roubicek-Waterloo; Dan Hansen-Wilcox and Travis Mallory-Winnebago.

Juniors: Mitch Stine-Bertrand; Joe Jarosz-Cedar Rapids; Barry Fangmeier-Deshler; Jeff Uher-Dodge; Bruce Bohuslavsky, Jason Schommer-East Butler; Travis Hughes, Eric Hilton-Elwood; Kevin Wood-Greeley; Cody Hildebrand-Maywood; Paul Snodgrass, Maceo Wright-North Loup-Scotia; Matt Schwager-Orchard; Shane Hansmeier-Paxton; John Heider-Pleasanton; Cameron Hudson-Polk-Hordville; Andy Adams, Josh Enevoldsen, Chad Miller-Potter-Dix; Dallas Bilslend, Kevin Bombeck-Shelton; Wes Haverman-SE Consolidated; Dan McKenzie-Spencer-Naper; Ryan Shea, Matt Boden-Sterling and Bruce Bedner-SEM.

Sophomore: Brian Wilson-Culbertson; Jeff Rohrig-Friend; Brad Sindelar-Howells; Jim Koontz-Keya Paha; Travis Howell-Mead; Chad Eichelberger-Nemaha Valley and Nick Krab-Paxton.

*1995 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Jon Dolliver-Stanton - 6-2, Junior (27.3 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Matt Davison-Tecumseh - 6-1, Sophomore (20.8 ppg/5.5 rpg)

Ed Thompson-Cambridge - 6-3, Senior (19.0 ppg/6.3 rpg)

Tyler Johnson-Hebron - 6-0, Senior (27.3 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Jeremy Reinoehl-Laurel - 6-4, Senior (19.0 ppg/6.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Mark Herbek-Sandy Creek - 6-2, Senior (17.5 ppg/5.5 rpg)

Jeff Wondercheck-Malcolm- 6-1, Senior (21.2 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Ryan Rice-Fremont Bergan - 6-4, Senior (18.9 ppg/9.2 rpg)

Erik Arens-Randolph - 6-4, Senior (21.7 ppg/9.4 rpg)

Matt Drevo-Lincoln Christian - 6-8, Junior (16.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

*Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Aaron Lawson, Josh Long, Ryan Kroemer-Arapahoe; Brad Krejci-Bennington; Erik Burns-Creighton; Dan Miller, Brian Keim-Elm Creek; Brad Josoff, Mike Fritz-Elmwood-Murdock; Chris Paulsen-Fremont Bergan; Damon Jones, Cory Lowa-Grant; Luc McGhee-Hartington; Terrance Chessmore-Harvard; Rob Marsh-Hebron; Gentry Friesen-Henderson; Ben Swanson, Jon Lyon-Johnson-Brock; Jared Reinoehl, Cody Carstensen-Laurel; Brett McKinney, John Widick-Malcolm; Les Rother-Newman Grove; Brad Butterfield, Ryan Morris, T.J. Fieck-North Platte St. Pats; Gus Ray-Oakland-Craig; Brian Hoffman, Craig Johnson-Osmond; Neal Kubik-Pender; Dan McCluskey-Ponca; Casey Illian-Red Cloud; Andy Haag-Republican Valley; Brad Lavene, Rick Washburn-Sandy Creek; Paul Dierking, Sam Dostel-Scribner-Snyder; Jeff Curry, Chad Lake-Tecumseh; Corey Brown-Wakefield; Les White-Wymore Southern; Brian Trost, Travis Hayes-Yutan.

Juniors: Jason Brummund-Doniphan; Josh Fries-Dundy County; Jamy Penne-Elkhorn Valley; Travis Knippelmeyer-Johnson=Brock; Tyler Erwin-Laurel; John Krueger-Lyons-Decatur; Jason Keogh, Joe Anderson-Oakland-Craig; Chad Sharp-Pender; Jeff Tassemeyer-Plainview; Matt Dowling-Randolph; Zach Peterson, Nolan Urban-Stromsburg; Brandon Lavely, Tom Beveridge-Sutherland; Steven Todd-Wauneta-Palisade and Ben Wortman-West Point CC.

Sophomores: Eric Wynia-Hartington; Kevin Lingenfelter-Plainview; Don Hoffart-Red Cloud; Zak Kennedy-Stanton and Danny Thies-Tecumseh.

*1995 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Jaime Jones-Hartington Cedar Catholic* - 6-6, Senior (19.9 ppg/8.7 rpg)

Mike Simons-Wahoo - 6-3, Junior (28.9 ppg/10.7 rpg)

Eric Strand-Grand Island Central Catholic - 8-8, Junior (21.2 ppg/11.3 rpg)

Brandon Wardyn-St. Paul - 6-4, Junior (14.2 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Matt Johnson-Ashland-Greenwood - 6-7, Junior (25.7 ppg/14.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Chad Kelsay-Auburn - 6-3, Senior (23.1 ppg/9.9 rpg)

Ryan Hadden-Fairbury - 6-3, Senior (16.1 ppg/5.9 rpg)

Jon Beerbohm-Fairbury - 6-6, Sophomore (20.3 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Josh Anderson-Wahoo - 5-10, Junior (17.2 ppg/8.8 rpg)

Marcus Nielsen-St. Paul - 6-4, Senior (14.5 ppg/5.0 rpg)

*Chad Kelsay, of course, enjoyed a highly successful football career for Nebraska. Kelsay played on two National championship Husker teams (1995 and 1997), earned All-Big 12 honors his senior season (1998) and was a 7th Round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chad played one full season with the Steelers in 1999 and briefly with the St. Louis Rams in 2000. He is now Vice President for the Omaha Truck Center.

*You may also recognize a couple of names from the honorable mention list, Chad Mustard (Scotus) and Seth Turman (Wahoo Neumann).

Mustard played basketball at North Dakota University and finished his career 7th on the all-time scoring list with 1,568 points while playing in all 112 career games. Following his basketball career, Mustard played professional football with the Omaha Beef and eventually wound up playing six years in the NFL. Chad spent 3 seasons with the Cleveland Browns and 3 seasons with the Denver Broncos and a Tight End. He is currently in his 4th season as head basketball coach at Bellevue East.

Seth Turman was a 2 year starter at quarterback and team captain for UNO during his college days. He is now a math teacher and Offensive coordinator at Millard West. Seth, his father Tim and brother Matt have a highly successful summertime venture, The Turman Quarterback Academy.

*Class C-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Kenny Bauer-Ainsworth; J.P. Rhea, Jeff Kauk-Arlington; Bill Schofield, Corey Harpster-Ashland-Greenwood; James Lech-Atkinson West Holt; Geoff Wright-Broken Bow; Chris Stull. John Panas-Bridgeport; Neil Geiger, Benji Crowder, Devin Volzke-Centennial; Leo Foulk-Central City; Jeff Beermann, Joe Pilakowski, Brian Bertsch-Columbus Scotus; Brad Janssen-Crofton; Jason Lau-David City; Jay Pelan, Jeff Jakub-David City Aquinas; Matt Oestmann-Fort Calhoun; Ron Dubas-Fullerton; Jeff Pramberg-Gothenburg; Ryan Greenfield-Gretna; Paul Howey-Hartington Cedar Catholic; Alex McNair-Imperial; Eric Geiger-Milford; Drew Larson-Minden; Jason Wurdeman-Mitchell; John Martinez-Morrill; Ryan Crowley, Jason Jansen-Norfolk Catholic; Matt Pentito, Jason West, Mark Wachholtz-Pierce; Chris Manske-Raymond Central; Ryan Scheer, Joe Kezeor-St. Paul; Chad Meyer-Superior; Greg Liesemeyer, Joel Congradt-Syracuse; Brett Samson-Valley; Ryan pick, Joe Luft-Wayne, Justin Ahrens-West Point; Josh Stoddard-Wilber-Clatonia, Bryan Peters, Jamie Morgan-Wood River.

Juniors: Jason Estill-Atkinson West Holt; Kevin Burgert-Auburn; Adam Oldehoeft, Curtis Maertins-Battle Creek; Chad Mustard-Columbus Scotus; Justus Hirschman, Kevin Potts-Crofton; Mitch Ebke-Fairbury; Dan Martin, Darcy Zimmerman-Falls City; Kyle Janssen-Gretna; Travis Soucie-Hastings St. Cecilia; Luke McConnell-Hershey; Dirk Boe, Shannon Turner-Madison, Matt Dodge-North Bend; Kyle Schellpeper-O’Neill; Tye Kjeidgaard-Tekamah-Herman; Eric Eddie-Wahoo; Matt Eickman, Scott Kreshel-Wilber-Clatonia.

Sophomores: David Volk-Battle Creek; Brent Klassen-Kimball; Mitchell Vries-Imperial; Mark Bodyfield-Ord; Neil Wardyn-St. Paul; Seth Turman, Adam Pomajzl-Wahoo Neumann and Paul Blomenkamp-Wayne.

*1995 Class B All-State Team*

Chris Boesinger-Norris - 6-0, Junior (15.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Dusty Dubbs-Ralston - 6-3, Junior (20.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Matt DeVries-Beatrice - 6-4, Senior (16.5 ppg/7.3 rpg)

Tracy Blake-Boys Town - 6-4, Senior (20.4 ppg/6.9 rpg)

Justin Coleman-McCook - 6-5, Junior (15.6 ppg/7.4 rpg)

2nd Team:

Isaak Russell-Norris - 6-4, Senior (14.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Ryan Bliven-Lexington - 5-11, Junior (13.5 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Josh Kuecker-Lexington - 6-2, Junior (12.4 ppg/8.4 rpg)

D.J. DeLeon-Thompson-Omaha Gross - 6-3, Junior (16.2 ppg/8.5 rpg)

Greg Lamberty-Seward - 6-2, Junior (15.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

*Justin Coleman became an almost legendary name for University Nebraska/Kearney as a quarterback for the Lopers. The “Kearney Cannon” fired 99 career TD passes and amassed over 11,000 yards through the air before his 4 year career ended. He was inducted into the RMAC Hall of Fame in 2015. By the way, the RMAC has been around for more than a 100 years, and no QB has thrown more TD passes than Coleman.

At last check Coleman was in sales and marketing at Abante in Omaha.

*Class B All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Mark Kamerzell, Jon Daniels-Alliance; Brent Koch, Graham West-Beatrice; Chris Wulf-Blair; Demetrius Jenkins-Boys Town; Rob Burke-Chadron; Ben Klug-Columbus; Adam Kent-Crete; Derrick Fitton-Elkhorn; Chad Anderson-GI Northwest; Michael Bruce, Troy Essex, Chad Phinney-Hastings; Brad Kraus, Ryan McElvain-Holdrege; Justin Thomalla-Lexington; Brian Schwartz-Lincoln Pius X; Ryan Stanton-McCook; Brandon Boldt, Adam Zetterman-Norris; Ryan Woodard-Omaha Roncalli; Justin Goldman-Platteview; Nate Ingwerson-Plattsmouth; Jeff Shannon-Ralston; Brent Karnatz-Schuyler; Brock Ehler, Jeff Rotherham-Scottsbluff; Matt Anderson, Nate Butzke-Seward; Jason Bartling-Sidney; Brandon Moore-South Sioux City; Kyle Hager-York.

*Juniors: Matt Zajicek, Josh Nichols-Beatrice; David Skuodas, Joel Odvody-Crete; Aaron Hendrickson-Cozad; Jason Mosier-Elkhorn; Ryan hanigan, Patrick Nee-Lincoln Pius X; Derek Albers-Nebraska City; Nate Jasa-Norris; Jeremy Smith-Ogallala; T.J. Orr-Omaha Roncalli; Ryan Bojanski-Ralston.

*Sophomores: Jesse Wood-Chadron and Tim Streitweiser-Ralston.

*Freshman: Dan Masters-Plattsmouth

*1995 Class A All-State Team:

T.J. Pugh-Creighton Prep** - 6-9, Senior (26.0 ppg/9.8 rpg)

Alton Mason-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-2, Junior (19.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Ben Ries-Norfolk** - 6-1, Junior (18.5 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Alvin Mitchell-Omaha Burke** - 6-0, Senior (19.8 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Mike Bargen-Lincoln East** - 6-7, Senior (26.5 ppg/10.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Greg Gerlach-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-7, Senior (17.1 ppg/5.0 rpg)

J.R. Edwards-Lincoln Southeast - 6-1, Junior (16.4 ppg/2.7 rpg)

Jason Johnson-Columbus - 6-9, Senior (18.9 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Eddie Lund-Omaha Burke - 6-7, Senior (14.7 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Matt Miles-Grand Island - 6-0, Senior (19.0 ppg/3.3 rpg)

*TJ Pugh earned a full ride basketball scholarship to Kansas University, where he played on 4 NCAA Tournament Jayhawk teams. He was one of only 7 athletes nationally to be awarded a postgraduate scholarship by the NCAA for academic and athletic achievement. TJ Pugh is now known as Dr. Thomas Pugh, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Cancer Department.

*Ben Ries enjoyed an outstanding basketball career at the University of South Dakota. Ries scored 1,252 career points and helped lead South Dakota to back-to-back North Central Conference championships in 1999 and 2000. Ries earned all-NCC honors following his senior season and was a three-time academic all-NCC honoree. He made 290 three-pointers (third-most in program history) and shot 45 percent from beyond the arc. In 113 games, Ries averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Coyote Hall of Fame there in 2014.

Ries later became the head coach at Norfolk high school, a 14 year stint that saw the outstanding Ries lead the Panthers to a 244-94 record over 14 seasons, including seven trips to the state tournament. The Panthers lost to Omaha Central in the 2010 Class A final. Coach Ries retired from coaching to accept the assistant principal/athletic director gig at Norfolk High, a position he now holds.

*After setting the career scoring record of 1,227 points at Lincoln East, Mike Bargen went on to enjoy a fine career at Marquette University and is still ranked 8th on their Career Blocked Shots list with 89.

Bargen played professionally in Iceland for one season (2000/2001), averaging 22.2 points and 7 rebounds a game. Mike then attended Creighton University to earn is MBA degree. While at Creighton, he spent 3 seasons as a graduate manager for the Bluejay basketball team as a member on Dana Altman’s staff.

After spending 3 seasons as Butler Community College as assistant basketball coach (2004-2006), Mike Bargen was hired as head coach there. In 8 seasons, Bargen compiled a sparkling 164-93 record for the Kansas school.

In 2015, Bargen was hired as an assistant coach for the Bradley Braves, a position he currently holds.

*Alvin Mitchell signed with Nebraska coming out of high school, played for one season, then transferred to Indian Hills Community College. Mitchell caught the eye of Bob Huggins there and ended up playing a year for Cincinnati. Alvin then returned to Omaha after a year in Cincinnati and sat out 2 seasons before finishing out his career at University of Nebraska/Omaha where he was their leading scorer.

Mr. Mitchell is now president of Team Nebraska Express United Basketball in Omaha, a youth development program for hoops. This is his 8th season there. I recently did the PA for the Metro All-Star basketball game at Omaha Benson and witnessed Alvin Mitchell’s fine coaching skills.

*Class “A” All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Tim Ridder-Creighton Prep; Todd Chmelka-Grand Island; Erik Mumm, Adam Foote-Kearney; Roman Evans-Lincoln High; B.J. Helmstadter, Jeff Wells, Mike Kelly-Lincoln NE; Scott Schmidt, Seth Conrad-Lincoln SE; Jon Paul Scheiber, Mark Christensen-Millard South; Chad Nelson, Curtis Miller, Jason Herbolsheimer-Norfolk; Dan Watson-North Platte; Bob Jackson-Omaha Bryan; Donnie Johnson-Omaha Central; Larry Sauls, Jerel Haynes-Omaha North; Damon Ruffin-Omaha NW; Tony Schrager, Steve Hall-Omaha Westside and Kevin Mungin-Papillion LV.

*Juniors: Tim Ebers-Fremont; Travis Schwartz-Gering; Paulo Van den Berg-Lincoln High; Adrain Johnson-Omaha Benson; B.J. Nannen-Lincoln NE; Cory Adams-Lincoln SE; Josh Miller-Millard South; Nate Mohs-North Platte; Andre Williams-Omaha Burke; Anthony Bennett-Omaha North.

*Sophomores: Ryan Behrens-Omaha Central and Calvin Strong-Omaha South.

*Freshman: Amon Helmstadter-Lincoln NE

*1995 Super-State 1st Team:

T.J. Pugh-Creighton Prep** - 6-9, Senior (26.0 ppg/9.8 rpg)

Alton Mason-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-2, Junior (19.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Ben Ries-Norfolk** - 6-1, Junior (18.5 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Alvin Mitchell-Omaha Burke** - 6-0, Senior (19.8 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Mike Bargen-Lincoln East** - 6-7, Senior (26.5 ppg/10.7 rpg)

*1995 Super-State 2nd Team:

Greg Gerlach-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-7, Senior (17.1 ppg/5.0 rpg)

J.R. Edwards-Lincoln Southeast - 6-1, Junior (16.4 ppg/2.7 rpg)

Jason Johnson-Columbus - 6-9, Senior (18.9 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Mike Simons-Wahoo - 6-3, Junior (28.9 ppg/10.7 rpg)

Eddie Lund-Omaha Burke - 6-7, Senior (14.7 ppg/8.0 rpg)

*1995 Super-State 3rd Team:

Chris Boesinger-Norris - 6-0, Junior (15.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Dusty Dubbs-Ralston - 6-3, Junior (20.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Tyler Johnson-Hebron - 6-0, Senior (27.3 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Lindley Thompson-Paxton* - 6-4, Junior (27.8 ppg/9.5 rpg)

Tracy Blake-Boys Town - 6-4, Senior (20.4 ppg/6.9 rpg)

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Players from 1994 who made the Career lists on the NSAA Records site:

*Most Points-Career:

Dave Ochsner-Elgin - 1,612

*Three-Point Goals-Career:

Ryan Woodard-Omaha Roncalli - 227 (T-16th)

Rob McCarter-Overton - 157

*Three-Point Goals-Season:

Jon Dolliver-Stanton - 80 (Junior season)

Matt Miles-Grand Island - 79

B.J. Schmitt-Elgin - 72

*Three-Point Goals-Game:

Jon Dolliver-Stanton - 9 (Junior season)