The Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 2002

Here is our usual review of State Basketball Tournaments and All-State teams. This time it’s 2002.

A point of interest in here is that 2002 was the first year for wildcard entries in all 6 classes.

*2002*

*Class D-2:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Lynch (Kris Freeland); Hay Springs (Ron Olson); Greeley (Dennis Hurlburt); Hayes Center (Ron Cole); Lewiston (Dan Parks); Beemer (Brock Eichelberger); Cody-Kilgore (Dennis Johnson); Milligan (Dean Filipi).

Quarterfinals:

(20-2) Greeley 57, Lynch 49 (19-7)

(15-1) Hay Springs 55, Hayes Center 50 (17-4)

(21-3) Lewiston 67, Beemer 41 (12-12)

(18-4) Cody-Kilgore 46, Milligan 43 (18-3)

Semifinals:

(21-2) Greeley 74, Hay Springs 50 (16-1)

(19-4) Cody-Kilgore 60, Lewiston 54 (22-3) {Overtime}

Finals:

(20-4) Cody-Kilgore 48, Greeley 45 (22-2) {Overtime}

D-2 Champion: Cody-Kilgore (21-4) - Head Coach: Dennis Johnson , Asst: Duke Wain, Mike Peterson

*The D-2 All-Tournament team: Chris Williams-Greeley (6-1, Jr.), Adam Johnson-Cody-Kilgore (6-4, Sr.), Eric Johnson-Cody-Kilgore (6-0, Jr.), Layne Ford-Cody-Kilgore (5-9, Jr.), Dion Parks-Lewiston (6-2, Sr.)

*The Class D-2 tournament scoring leader was Cody-Kilgore’s Eric Johnson with 46 points (9, 21, 16 pts), despite just a 9 point output in the Cowboy’s opening round 46-43 win over Milligan. Eric was a single point ahead of his Greeley junior counterpart Chris Williams, who netted 45 points (18, 14, 13 pts). High points in a D-2 tournament game was 21, obviously scored by Eric Williams and matched by both Dion Parks of Lewiston and matched by his teammate, Ben Ideus in their opening round route over Beemer.

*In the Class D-2 final it was the late heroics of Cody-Kilgore junior Eric Johnson that saved the day….twice...for the Cowboys against defending D-2 champion Greeley. Johnson scored 4 points in the final eight seconds of regulation, including a 15 foot fade away, off-balance basket shot. And of course it came right before the buzzer. That baby sent the game into an overtime period with the teams tied at 39.

Cody-Kilgore outscored Greeley 9 to 6 in that extra period, lifting the Cowboys to a 48-45 win over Greeley and their super-coach Dennis Hurlbut. Eric Johnson finished with a game leading 16 points, while Rick Rech and deadeye Chris Williams paced the Bulldogs with 13 each.

Man, could both Cody-Kilgore and Greeley ever play defense, which is sometimes a lost art in the lower classes. Both teams allowed only 44 points a game entering the 2002 state tournament. No worries on offense though, both the Bulldogs and Cowboys could put the ball through the hoop, each averaging 64 a game, but it was defense that prevailed in this baby.

I can still recall Grand Island’s basketball team sitting in the lower stands as Cody-Kilgore walked by after their state championship win. The Islanders, who were the Masters of Defense, gave the Cowboys a standing ovation as they walked by. I’ll never forget that show of class by the Islander hoops team..

*Class D-1:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach) Freeman (Frank C. Jesse); Bruning-Davenport (Fred Kluck); Hyannis (Chris Kraus); Spencer-Naper (Jim Carlson); Scribner-Snyder (Paul Dunklau); Anselmo-Merna (Craig Safranek); Mead (RJ Quinn); Humphrey St. Francis (Paul Brungardt)

Quarterfinals:

(17-10) Bruning-Davenport 56, Freeman 49 (20-5)

(25-0) Spencer-Naper 75, Anselmo-Merna 45 (20-3)

(16-6) Scribner-Snyder 78, Hyannis 44 (15-6)

(20-3) Mead 56, Humphrey St. Francis 50 (19-4)

Semifinals:

(26-0) Spencer-Naper 53, Bruning-Davenport 50 (18-10)

(17-6) Scribner-Snyder 64, Mead 40 (21-3)

Finals:

(27-0) Spencer-Naper 67, Scribner-Snyder 54 (18-6)

D-1 Champion: Spencer-Naper (28-0); Head Coach: Ron Carlson Asst: Ron Kopecky.

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; John Connot*-Spencer-Naper (6-3, Jr), Scott Beck-Spencer-Naper (6-3, Sr.), Lance Classen-Spencer-Naper (6-4, Sr.), Tyler Schardt-Bruning-Davenport (6-1, Sr.) and Brad Schutt-Mead (6-5, Sr.)

*The D-1 Tournament scoring title went to Spencer-Naper’s Lance Classen, who increased his scoring output every tournament game. Classen’s 54 points in three games (9, 19, 26 pts) outdistanced Spencer-Naper’s Scott Beck (45 points) by a 9 spot.

*The D-1 championship game was certainly a sweet deal for a Spencer-Naper team who was unbeaten entering the Finals in 2001 before being defeated 59-44, by a terrific Falls City Sacred Heart squad.

Spencer-Naper super-star Lance Classen scored 26 points in the Pirates 67-54 win over Scribner-Snyder, making the Boyd County squad the state’s only undefeated team in 2002.

It was Spencer-Naper’s 2-3 matchup zone that seemed to make a difference in the contest. That Pirates defensive alignment forced 17 Scribner-Snyder turnovers and actually caused the Trojans to call two timeouts during the first 4 minutes of the game to avoid further damage.

Despite the turovers and Classen’s scoring heroics, Spencer-Naper still wasn’t able to shake Nate Probasco and unrated and 18-7 Scribner-Snyder until the final three minutes of the game.

*Class C-2:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Overton (Brian Regelin); Loup City (Paul Henry); Sutton (Steve Spongberg); Ponca (Bob Hayes); Randolph (Lyle Nannen); Sandy Creek (Alan Ehlers); Fremont Bergan (Chris Paulson); North Platte St. Pats (Kevin Burbach).

Quarterfinals:

(21-2) Overton 48, Loup City 46 (17-6)

(18-5) Randolph 51, Sandy Creek 45 (19-3)

(21-2) Sutton 49, Ponca 24 (18-6)

(19-3) North Platte St. Pats 54, Fremont Bergan 51 (17-4)

Semifinals:

(19-5) Randolph 67, Overton 48 (22-2)

(22-2) Sutton 66, North Platte St. Pats 63 (20-3)

Finals:

(20-5) Randolph 50, Sutton 43 (23-2)

C-2 Champion: Randolph (21-5); Head Coach: Lyle Nannen; Asst: Mark Anderson, Jim Hixon.

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team was: Trevor Anderson -Randolph (6-3, Sr.), Mitch Tunink-Randolph (6-1, Sr.), Erik Brooks-Overton (6-4, Jr.), Casey Leif-Sutton (6-3, Sr.), TJ O’Connor-North Platte St. Pats (6-0, Sr.).

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring title went to Randolph’s Mitch Tunink, who scored 42 points (10, 19, 13 pts) in three games for the state champion Cardinals. He outdistanced Blake Smith of Sutton, who had 41 points, thanks to a big 25 point semifinal game explosion against North Platte St. Pats.

*The Class C-2 Championship game was a battle between two of the greatest high school basketball coaches ever, Lyle Nannen of Randolph and Sutton’s Steve Spongberg. Nannen’s troops prevailed in this one, as the Cardinal’s Mitch Tunink drained a pair of treys early in the fourth quarter, drawing Randolph to within two points of Sutton, then knotted the game at 35-35 with a mid-range jumper with 4:56 left in the game..

Randolph’s Chad Arens, who sat most of the 3rd quarter after picking up his 4th foul, re-entered in the final frame, scoring 7 of his 11 total points to lift Randolph to a 50-43 win over the Mustangs. It was first state title under 30 year head coach Lyle Nannen.

Jake Borst led Randolph with 14 points, while Casey Leif and Blake Smith each had 9 for Sutton.

It might also be pointed out that Randolph’s Trevor Anderson pulled off something pretty special during the 2002 Class C-2 State Tournament. After season long starter Aaron Billerbeck broke his leg in practice after the Cardinals had already made the C-2 state tournament field, Anderson stepped into the starting lineup for only the second time in his career.

Travis responded with 14 points and 12 boards in Randolph’s opening round 51-45 win over Sandy Creek. He followed that with a 12 points and 9 rebounds in the semifinal win (67-48) over Overton, then netted 8 points and a pair of boards in the championship game.

Class C-2 All-Tournament for Trevor Anderson? Absolutely!

What seems ironic, and still a head-scratcher to this day although we do not know the facts, was that Randolph school officials asked Nannen to retire after he started the 2001-2002 season with an 0-2 record. Nannen finished his illustrious coaching life with a career record of 468-223. That career spanned 41 years.

The fitting end result was that Lyle Nannen closed out his coaching career with a State Title.

*Class C-1*:

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Syracuse (Mark Hrabik); Pierce (Todd Emory); Wahoo Neumann (Paul Johnson); Wayne (Rocky Ruhl) Fairbury (Rick Bell); Chase County (Rick Titus); Columbus Lakeview (Jake Shadley); Grand Island Central Catholic (Bill Gavers).

Quarterfinals:

(20-2) Syracuse 62, Chase County 46 (15-6)

(22-1) Wahoo Neumann 57, Pierce 53 (18-4)

(20-4) Wayne 55, Fairbury 53 (18-5)

(21-1) Columbus Lakeview 77, Grand Island Central Catholic 50 (19-7)

Semifinals:

(23-1) Wahoo Neumann 78, Syracuse 72 (21-2) {2 Overtimes}

(21-1) Columbus Lakeview 69, Wayne 51 (21-4)

Finals:

(24-1) Wahoo Neumann 74, Columbus Lakeview 61 (22-2)

C-1 Champion: Wahoo Neumann (25-1). Head Coach: Paul Johnson, Asst: Mike Weiss, Doug Lanik, Rick Ahrens.

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team consisted of Columbus Lakeview senior repeaters Dusty Jura (6-7) and Calvin Kapels (6-4), Bishop Neumann juniors, Kyle Loos (5-11) and Kyle Prochaska (6-4), plus Jarred Royal of Syracuse, a 6-7 senior.

The C-1 tournament scoring crown again went to Dusty Jura of Lakeview, who strung together games of 23, 17 and 24 points, for his total of 64 points. Jura outdueled teammate Calvin Kapels, who had 60 points (24, 25, 11 pts).

The C-1 championship game featured a rematch of the 2001 final matchup between defending C-1 Champion Columbus Lakeview and Bishop Neumann. This time it was the Cavaliers turn.

Coach Paul Johnson’ troops, led by Kyle Loos (21 points) and balanced scoring of Alex Kotera, Kyle Prohaska and Russ Plybon (14, 11, 11 points respectively), sprinted out to a commanding 40-29 halftime advantage and never looked back, although Lakeview closed the gap to three points in the third quarter due to a sensational trapping defense.

Neumann’s defense wasn’t too shabby either, limiting Lakeview was to just 3 of 22 accuracy from beyond the arc. Meanwhile on offense, the Cavaliers Alex Kotera was the man to add the spark when Lakeview threatened in the 3rd quarter. It was his 3 pointer with 2:14 left in the game that also provided Neumann with the cushion they needed to win the game.

It was a sweet State Tournament for Cavalier head coach Paul Johnson, who retired after the championship game. Johnson may have wondered if his Neumann team was even going to make it to the finals after trailing Syracuse 16 points late in the semifinal contest.

It was also hard to imagine how Columbus Lakeview, especially All-State guard Calvin Kapels, could even focus on basketball. Kapels mother Linda died the day before the C-1 Championship game after a long, horrible battle with cancer. These are just kids we’re talking about here, and I know that Kapels knew long before the championship game that his mother may not make it. It is young men like this you pray for before going to bed at night.

*Class B:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Norris (Curt Carlson); Lexington (Darren Hansen); Ralston (Terry Lantz); Lincoln Pius X (Ray Forycki); Gering (Jay Ehler); Crete (David Bell); Beatrice (Jim Weeks); Omaha Skutt Catholic (Dean Brunson).

Quarterfinals:

(20-3) Ralston 66, Crete 65 (13-7)

(18-3) Norris 54 Lexington 50 (11-10)

(15-4) Lincoln Pius X 68, Gering 55 (13-8)

(15-3) Beatrice 52, Omaha Skutt 44 (15-8)

Semifinals:

(19-3) Norris 51, Ralston 48 (21-3)

(16-4) Lincoln Pius X 44, Beatrice 36, (16-3)

Finals:

(20-3) Norris 57, Lincoln Pius X 54 (16-6)

Class B Champion: Norris (21-3). Head Coach: Curt Carlson, Asst: Paul Bade, Matt Rice, Chad Otto.

*The Class B All-Tournament Team: Brent Doctor-Norris (6-3, Sr.), Michael Stoynev-Norris (6-3, Jr.), Shawn Swan-Ralston (6-2, Sr.), Jesse Cardenas-Ralston (5-8, Jr.), Eric Hallgren-Lincoln Pius X (6-8, Sr.).

*The Class B State Tournament scoring leader by a mile was Michael Stoynev of Norris, who poured in 59 points (24, 14, 21 pts). The Norris star was 17 points better than Shawn Swan of Ralston.

*The Class B final: How do you own a rival Four times in one season? That’s exactly what Coach Curt Carlson’s Norris Titans did against Lincoln Pius during the 2001-2002 basketball season. The last victory, a 57-54 win, earned Norris a Class B state championship trophy. And just how good was Pius? The Thunderbolts finished the year at 17-5, with their only other loss coming at the hands of Class A runner-up Lincoln Southeast.

All-State Michael Stoynev and Brett Doctor were the offensive heroes for Norris. Stoynev’s 21 point performance came as no surprise in the Championship contest, but Brett Doctor’s 14 big ones came from a player that averaged only 8 ppg during the season. Doctor must have felt comfortable on the big stage because after high school, the Norris ace, who had a 33”vertical and 37” running jump, travelled around the state doing dunking exhibitions during halftime at high school hoops contests.

Lincoln Pius looked like they may be on the way to getting the Norris monkey off their back when they sped to an 18-8 first quarter advantage. Norris put that one to rest by reversing the tables with a 19-8 second quarter bulge, enroute to a 27-26 halftime lead. The rest of the game was a back and forth thriller.

Michael Stoynev, who was a perfect 7 of 7 shooting from the field, led all scorers with his 21 tallies, while Ben Schleppenbach paced Pius X with 19.

*Class A:*

Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Grand Island (Dave Oman); Lincoln High (Russ Uhing); Lincoln Southeast (Jeff Smith); Millard South (Larry Ribble); Omaha Central (Eric Behrens); Creighton Prep (Reggie Morris); Omaha Burke (Gary Graner); Omaha Benson (Terry Shelsta).

Quarterfinals:

(20-1) Grand Island 58, Millard South 52 (10-10) {Overtime}

(16-4) Omaha Burke 78, Omaha Benson 50 (15-6)

(18-3) Lincoln Southeast 52, Creighton Prep 41 (13-8)

(12-9) Lincoln High 80, Omaha Central 74 (19-3) {Overtime}

Semifinals:

(21-1) Grand Island 43, Omaha Burke 25 (17-4)

(19-3) Lincoln Southeast 52, Lincoln High 47 (13-9)

Finals:

(22-1) Grand Island 51, Lincoln Southeast 29 (20-3)

Class A Champion: Grand Island (23-1). Head Coach: David Oman Asst: Steve Bartek, Craig DeNoyer, Dan Meyer.

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island (6-9, Sr.), Bret Clark-Grand Island (6-1, Sr.), Brandon Rigoni-Lincoln SE (5-8, Sr.), Chase Goldenstein-Lincoln SE (6-4, Sr.), Tyron Canby-Lincoln High (6-0, Jr.).

*The Tournament scoring honors went to GI’s big Wes Wilkinson, who canned 52 points in three games (22, 17, 13 pts). Tyron Canby followed with 39 points in just two games.

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of: Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island (6-9, Sr.), Bret Clark-Grand Island (6-1, Sr.), Chase Goldenstein-Lincoln SE (6-4, Sr.), Brandon Rigoni-Lincoln SE (5-8, Sr.), Tyron Canby-Lincoln High (6-0, Jr.).

*The Class A championship game: In all my years of watching State Tournament basketball, I have never witnessed a defensive performance like Grand Island laid on, not only Lincoln SE in the championship game, but on Omaha Burke the day before. Dave Oman and super-strategist Assistant coach Steve Bartek, held high powered Omaha Burke to 25 points in the semifinal tilt, followed by a complete shutdown of points beyond the arc against Lincoln Southeast in the Class A final. The Knights could manage only 29 points in the 2002 championship game.

In that Class A title match, the Islanders, just like they had done the day before, threw a box and one defense against Southeast to put the clamps on Knight standout Nick Bahe. It worked like perfection.

Grand Island defensive super-star Bret Clark was handed the assignment of guarding Bahe, one of the state’s best players. Knights head coach Jeff Smith had to be concerned, having seen Clark smother Omaha Burke star Jason Dourisseau to the tune 4 points on 2 of 13 shooting for the game the day before in the Class A semis.

Nick Bahe suffered a worse fate. He scored only two points on 1 of 13 shooting from the field, as the Islanders ran away with a 51-29 victory, and their second Class A title in four years.

Just like Omaha Burke, the Islanders held Southeast to just 10 points in the opening half, and that’s after the Knights had taken a 9-4 first quarter lead. So suffocating was that box and one Islander defense, Lincoln Southeast went 12 minutes, 32 seconds without a field goal in a stretch between the first and third quarters.

With Bret Clark denying Nick Bahe the basketball, and 6-9 Wes Wilkinson, plus 6-6 All-State footballer Kurt Mann plugging up the middle, the Knights were held to 0-21 shooting from 3 point land. 0 or 21. And as for points in the paint for the Knights? No chance.

So try this on for size. In the last two games of the State Tournament, Grand Island held Omaha Burke and Lincoln Southeast to a combined 19 of 96 shooting…….that’s an unimaginable, nightmare 19.7 %. Will we ever witness something like this again?

Meanwhile, Nebraska hoops recruit Wes Wilkinson was having a game for the ages for the Islanders. The agile, sweet stroking senior scored 13 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, blocked 8 shots, had 5 steals, and altered several other shot attempts.

The word “DEFENSE” took on a new meaning after witnessing Grand Island in the 2002 State Basketball Tournament.

*The 2002 All-Class, All-Tournament Team consisted of Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island (6-9, Sr.), Bret Clark-Grand Island (6-1, Sr.), Chase Goldenstein-Lincoln SE (6-4, Sr.), Michael Stoynev-Norris (6-3, Jr.) and Wahoo Neumann’s Kyle Prochaska (6-4, Jr.).

* * * * * * * * * *

*2002 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Dion Parks-Lewiston - 6-2, Senior (19.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Matt Filipi-Milligan - 6-2 Senior (18.3 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Chad Cruise-St. Edward - 6-2, Senior (18.9 ppg/8.9 rpg)

Chris Bahrig-O’Neill St. Marys - 6-2, Senior (17.9 ppg/10.3 rpg)

Nate Eilers-Lynch - 6-5, Junior (19.7 ppg/10.4 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jack Rother-Wolbach - 6-2, Sophomore (23.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Ben Ideus-Lewiston - 5-11 Senior (16.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Bobby Kempf-Shickley - 6-8, Junior (17.3 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Dillon Krejci-Exeter - 6-3, Senior (20.2 ppg/14.6 rpg)

Adam Johnson-Cody-Kilgore - 6-4, Senior (15.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

*Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State:

*Seniors: Imre Arko-Arcadia; Darrin Liewer-Butte; Jeremy Dexter-Chambers; Jeremiah Nolze-Clearwater; Steve Fay-Cody-Kilgore; Brad Christensen-Elba; Michael Bachman-Giltner; Russell Gibson, Morgan Donovan-Greeley; Derek Ginn-Hay Springs; Mark Werkmeister, Andy Messinger-Hays Center; Kurt Greisen-Humphrey; Derek Wilkinson-Lewiston; Chad Slocum-Litchfield; Jason Wiest, Jeff Weber-Lodgepole; Justin Boltz-McCool Junction; Levi Arensdorf-McPherson County; Jeff Havel-Milligan; Chris Schwaderer-Mullen; Monte Hermsmeyer-North Loup-Scotia; Brandon Holtorf, Justin Stanislav-Prague; Cole Larsen-Sandhills; Ross Sissel-Shickley; Andy Shanle-St Edward; Jon Hazen, Chris Bartels-Sterling; Seth Paesl-Verdigre; Will Smith-Wheeler Central; J.R.Rother-Wolbach.

Juniors: Danny Kerkman-Clearwater; Tom Wemhoff-Coleridge; Adam Lippold-Dawson-Verdon; Russell Meyer-Dodge; Drew Denker-Dorchester; Chris Williams-St. Edward; Quintin Penner-Hampton; Shad Griebel-Loup County; Derek Tuxhorn-McCool Junction; Travis Kotas-Milligan; Nate Sanley-Rising City; Dan Haggerty, Ran Hickey-O’Neill St. Marys; Jacob Harms-Wheatland.

Sophomores: Corey Uldrich-Allen; Evan Harmon-Giltner; Seth Hadenfeldt-Lynch; Koby Hamilton-Thedford.

Freshmen: Coby Konopsek-Ewing.

*2002 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Lance Classen-Spencer-Naper* - 6-4, Senior (16.4 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Scott Beck-Scribner-Snyder - 6-1, Senior (17.0 ppg/10.3 rpg)

Kyle Campbell-Medicine Valley - 6-3, Senior (21.3 ppg/8.5 rpg)

Tom Regan-Ewing - 6-6, Senior, (24.0 ppg/13.0 rpg)

Jordan Downey-Anselmo-Merna - 6-3, Senior (21.8 ppg/8.7rpg)

2nd Team:

Randy Leetch-Sargent - 6-0, Senior (30.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Tyler Schardt-Bruning-Davenport - 6-1, Senior (17.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Brad Schutt-Mead - 6-5, Senior (17.4 ppg/9.5 rpg)

David Wegener-Humphrey St. Francis - 6-3, Senior (17.0 ppg/7.3 rpg)

Grant Willits-Osceola - 5-11, Senior (13.3 ppg/3.6 rpg)

*Class D-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Cole Walbridge-Arapahoe; Jeff Stansberry-Bancroft-Rosalie; Tom Buettner-Cedar Rapids; Brandon Burke-Crawford; Austin Lewis-Culbertson; Brian Seltin-Elgin Pope John; Derek Barnes-Elm Creek; Chris Cochrane-Eustis-Farnam; Shawn Stenka-Ewing; Tony Santo, Anthony Weaver-Falls City Sacred Heart; Shawn Mencl-Freeman; Paul Combs-Friend; Tyler Colvin-Harvard; Taylor Huettner-Humphrey St. Francis; Dere Meyer-Hyannis; Mitch Neddenriep-Johnson-Brock; Doug Ahrens-Kenesaw; Cliff Thompson-Lakeside Central; Nick Kepler-Leyton; Steve Gleeson-Lindsay Holy Family; Andrew Rodewald-Maxwell; Josh Moline-Mead; BJ Luke, Austin Klein-Medicine Valley; Mike Niederklein, Mike Rohr-Meridian; Andrew Frey, Adam Frey-Nebraska Lutheran; Dustin Formanack, Derrie Medina-Nemaha Valley; Caleb Knott-Newman Grove; Connor Humphries-Omaha Brownell-Talbot; John Parker, Austin Kaaihue, Bronson Clark-Omaha Nation (Macy); Andy Wissing-Palmer; Jordan Spier-Pawnee City; Dan Hoover-Paxton; Matt Drew-Pleasanton; Landon Haack-Potter-Dix; Seth Schulz-Red Cloud; Brady Foster-Rock County; Nate Probasco, Jeff Kassmeier-Scribner-Snyder; Michael Trausch, Shane Erickson-Silver Lake; Josh Struckman-South Platte; Danny Ohri-Spencer-Naper; Tyler Tallman-Stromsburg; Stan Benke-Waterloo.

Juniors: Kyle Blakeman-Anselmo-Merna, Tyler Hanssler-Arapahoe, Jay Johnson-Bertrand, Sean Crueger-Chappell; Ben Eisenhart-Culbertson; Matt Sells-Falls City Sacred Heart; Tyler Ideus-Freeman; Eric Wiemann-Howells; Dan Torczen-Humphrey St. Francis; Tehl Keslar-Hyannis; Nick Moyer, Adam Schlorholtz-Nebraska City Lourdes; Jason Zelansey-Osceola; Bobby Musil-Pawnee City; Levi Griffiths-Pleasanton; Zac Randolph-Republican City; John Connot, Jason Connot-Spencer-Naper; Toby Ball-Stromsburg; Matt Wilson-Wauneta-Palisade.

Sophomores: Mat Eikmeier-Howells; Josh Thiessen-Nebraska Christian; Tony Pribnow-Scribner-Snyder.

Freshman: Drew Billiter-Loomis.

*2002 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Blake Erwin-Laurel-Concord - 6-5, Senior (27.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Corbin Bilthoft-Lawrence-Nelson - 6-4, Senior (19.6 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Derric Werner-Elkhorn Valley* - 6-6, Senior (18.5 ppg/14.0 rpg)

Chad Arens-Randolph - 6-6, Senior (16.2 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Brett Kroger-Lyons-Decatur - 6-2, Senior (17.1 ppg/7.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Josh Badura-Loup City - 6-2, Senior (15.5 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Crif Scheideler-Southern- 6-0, Senior (18.7 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Casey Leif-Sutton - 6-3, Senior (11.8 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Kevin McGill-Fremont Bergan - 6-4, Junior (18.3 ppg/8.6 rpg)

Tim Johnson-Sandy Creek - 6-4, Senior (17.0 ppg/9.5 rpg)

*Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Chris McNulty-Alma; Tyler Kenney, Ryan Peterson-Amherst; Jon Brown-Fremont Bergan; Rusty Fuller-Cambridge; Cameron Scholl, Brett Loontjer-Deshler; David Glenn-Diller-Odell; Gunnar Qualset-Elkhorn Valley; Brian Piitz-Elmwood-Murdock; Chris Evans-Elwood; Jared Wetovick-Fullerton; Ryan Cook, Troy Haenfler-Grant; Randy Sudbeck-Hartington Cedar Catholic; Tony Rice Henderson Heartland; Brennan Vogel-Hemingford; Preston Parsons-High Plains; Chris Metzger-Kearney Catholic; Joe Kathman-Lawrence-Nelson; Andrew Paulsen-Malcolm; Kevin Hild-Neligh-Oakdale; Josh Linderman, TJ O’Connor-North Platte St. Pats; Eric Peterson-Oakland-Craig; Joel Schroeder-Omaha Christian Academy; Andrew Ortmeier-Osmond; Mitch Tunink, Jim Dowling, Trevor Anderson-Randolph; Jacob Deines-Ravenna; Jason Schmidt, Justin Schmidt-Shelby; Eric Billiter, Heath Upson-Southern Valley; Eric Soderholm-Sutherland; Blake Smith, Mitch Bergen-Sutton; Tanner Goodrich, Nate Long-Tecumseh; Adam Hoffman-Winside; Casey Gilson, Nate Koehn-Wisner-Pilger; Corey Timm-Yutan.

Juniors: Derek Melgoza-Fremont Bergan; Nate Stroup-Dundy County; Josh Fuchser-Emerson-Hubbard; Preston Crumly-Hartington; Taylor Siebert-Henderson Heartland; Ryan Coolidge-Lutheran High NE; Andrew Weaver-Malcolm; Eric Brooks-Overton; Dusty Welsh-Pender; Airen Mangrum, Neil Mangrum-Ponca; Jake Borst-Randolph; Darren Shaw-Sandy Creek; Todd Hoehne-Stanton.

Sophomores: Lee Moser-Creighton; Turner Scholl-Deshler; Dustin Lindstrom-Oakland-Craig; Kevin Prochaska-Sandy Creek; Devin Weyer-Southern.

*2002 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Dusty Jura-Columbus Lakeview** - 6-7, Senior (18.6 ppg/8.4 rpg)

Calvin Kapels-Columbus Lakeview* - 6-4, Senior (15.9 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Kyle Prochaska-Wahoo Neumann - 6-1, Junior (16.7. ppg/11.2 rpg)

Jarred Royal-Syracuse* - 6-7, Senior (16.5 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Aaron Schmidt-Bennington* - 6-4, Senior (21.9 ppg/11.3 rpg)

2nd Team:

M.J. Hrabik-Syracuse - 6-1, Senior (16.9 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Matt Herian-Pierce - 6-5, Senior (15.0 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Jon Ziegler-Lincoln Lutheran - 6-2, Senior (19.3 ppg/8.1 rpg)

Brad Hochstein-Wayne - 6-3, Senior (15.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Ryan Schmidt-Arlington - 6-3, Senior (24.4 ppg/12.2)

*Class C-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Eric Ablott-Adams Central; Duffy Davis-Ainsworth; Craig Kerkman, Adam Kobus-David City; Aquinas; TJ Dobson-Arlington; Jesse Young-Auburn; Cole Stichler-Bennington; Adam Flanagan-Boone Central; Dan Fisher-Broken Bow; Andy Klepper-Centennial; Tyler Carlson-Central City; Josh Mueller, Brett Kapels, Trevor Osten-Columbus Lakeview; Matt Mueller-Crofton; Luke Beerbohm, Mark Rogge, Steve Selk, Justin Haag-Fairbury; Lito Aguilera-Fillmore Central; Tony Macdissi-Fort Calhoun; Joe Stump-Grand Island Central Catholic; Nick Arlt-Hastings St. Cecilia; Brad Reed-Hershey; Brent Troester, Brad Wissink-Lincoln Lutheran; Kerwin Roth-Milford; Matt Domhoff-Minden; Dan Skoudahl-Mitchell; Mark Brungardt-Norfolk Catholic; Neil Hines, Paul Dorcey-North Bend; Trent Thomas-O’Neill; Zach Wetzel-Ord; Travis Test-Pierce; Trent Siebecker-Superior; Heath Hansen-Tekamah-Herman; Kyle Kassebaum-Thayer Central; Eric Cedar-Twin River; Doug Hesse-Valentine; Joel Divis, Adam Chvatal-Wahoo; Mitch Reeves- Wahoo Neumann; Brad Hansen-Wayne

Juniors: Trent Luane-Ashland-Greenwood; Brent Cole-Auburn; Chad Lane, Bubba Kramer-Atkinson Holt; Shawn Erickson-Battle Creek; Todd Krause-Bayard; Jason Inman-Boone Central; Bryce Jarzynka, Garrett Rathke-Centura; Micah Smith-Chadron; Ed Kaiser-Chase County; Wes Gehring-Columbus Lakeview; Aaron Glasnapp-Conestoga; Jeff Schmid-David City; Tyler Stewart-Fairbury; Andrew Small-Hastings St. Cecilia; William Lewis, Matt Manley-Lincoln Christian; Chance Klasek-Tri-County; Alex Kotera, Kyle Loos-Wahoo Neumann; Aaron Pryor-Wilber-Clatonia; ark Davis-Wood River.

Sophomores: Will Morales-Chase County; Todd Peterson-Grand Island Central Catholic; Thomas Pargett-Syracuse.

*2002 Class B All-State Team*

Turner Trofholz-Schuyler* - 6-7, Senior (18.5 ppg/9.5 rpg)

Michael Stoynev-Norris - 5-10, Junior (14.5 ppg/3.5 rpg)

Shawn Swan-Ralston - 6-2, Senior (21.1 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Mitch Heiman-Lincoln Pius X* - 5-10, Senior (12.8 ppg/2.1 rpg)

Xavier Oman-Beatrice - 6-0, Junior (16.1 ppg/6.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Krae Dutoit-McCook - 5-11, Junior (21.2 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Joseph Easley-Lincoln Pius X - 6-4, Senior (13.2 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Scott DeBoer-Norris - 6-4, Senior (8.6 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Scott Straka-Lexington - 6-2, Senior (17.5 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Lee Martin-Waverly - 6-7, Senior (13.1 ppg/8.5)

*Class B All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Matt Collins-Alliance; Cody Hoegh-Aurora; David Blas, Josh Replogle-Beatrice; Andrew Hardenbunger, Mike Rodenbaugh, Joe Chelton-Crete; Spencer Peterson, Adam Stolz-Elkhorn; Joey Cooper, Cole Fredrich-Grand Island Northwest, Tony Benes, Adam Gentzler-Gretna, Todd Asmus-Hastings; Mark Larson, Seth Schroeder-Holdrege; Travis Maloley, Ben Schleppenbach, Noah Witkowicz, Eric Hallgren-Lincoln Pius X; Clayton Gaunt, Aaron Plas-McCook; David Callen, Brent Doctor-Norris, Ryan Cone-Ogallala; Gary Olechoski-Omaha Gross; Matt Lawson-Omaha Roncalli; Chris McConnell-Omaha Skutt; Jake Amerine, Jordan Malmstrom-Platteview; Bryant Travis-Plattsmouth; Todd Weber, Aaron Hansen-Ralston; Ted Gans-Schuyler; Ben Thayer-Sidney.

*Juniors: Tad Peterson-Alliance; Dallas Flynn-Blair; Cody Christensen-Gering; Kurt Gibson-Grand Island Northwest; Thomas Hall-Nebraska City; Jordan Gallard-Omaha Gross; Austin Lehman-Omaha Skutt; Jesse Cardenas-Ralston; Brock Shaw-Seward; Scott Hannon-York.

*Sophomore: James Kohls-Aurora; Marcus Loudner-Blair; Michael Etzelmiller-Minden; Zach Jones-Lexington; Zach Yelden-Norris.

*2002 Class A All-State Team:

Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island* - 6-9, Senior (18.6 ppg/7.5 rpg)

Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke* - 6-4, Senior (17.8ppg/6.8 rpg)

Brett Seger-Omaha Westside* - 6-5, Senior (22.5 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Nick Bahe-Lincoln Southeast - 6-3, Junior (20.0 ppg/4.6 rpg)

Tyron Canby-Lincoln High - 6-0, Junior (16.3 ppg/4.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

Roy Enright-Omaha Burke - 6-9, Senior (12.7 ppg/6.8 rpg)

Zac Robinson-Millard West - 6-3, Senior (18.9 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Nedu Onyeuku-Creighton Prep - 6-4, Senior (15.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Danny Woodhead-North Platte - 5-8, Sophomore (20.6 ppg/2.1 rpg)

Richard Pollock-Omaha Benson - 6-6, Senior (12.5 ppg/11.5 rpg)

*Class “A” All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Andrew Matthews-Bellevue East; Shaun Wisdom-Bellevue West; Jared Ruffin-Creighton Prep; Anton Melgoza-Fremont; Kurt Mann, Scott Morris, Bret Clark-Grand Island; Ian Rodgers-Kearney; Bryce Meyers, John Swaroff-Lincoln East; Tyler Payne-Lincoln High; Andy Janssen, Nick Skinner-Lincoln NE; Chase Goldenstein, Brandon Rigoni-Lincoln SE; Sean Nelson-Millard North; Patrick Bryan, Ross Pesek-Millard South; Eric Gross-Norfolk; Brett Orr-North Platte; Donnie Parsons, Richard Pollock-Omaha Benson; Wesley Kitt-Omaha Bryan; Matt Vecchio-Omaha Burke; Schyler Thomas, Kris Kuhn-Omaha Central; Clark Callahan-Omaha North and Anthony Williams-Omaha South.

*Juniors: Eric DePue-Columbus; Caleb Muhs-Grand Island; Alex Aten, Rob Lewis-Kearney; Jake Brestel-Lincoln High; Eddie Medlin, Bo Ruud, John Campbell-Lincoln SE; Euvon Turner-Millard South; Jimmy Johnson-Norfolk; Craig Carstensen-North Platte; Mose Howard-Omaha Bryan.

*Sophomores: Shane Sweeney-Grand Island; Cortney Grixby-Omaha Central; Ryan Wehrle-Papillion-LV.

*Freshman: Benny Valentine-Creighton Prep.

*2002 Super-State 1st Team:

Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island* - 6-9, Senior (18.6 ppg/7.5 rpg)

Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke* - 6-4, Senior (17.8ppg/6.8 rpg)

Brett Seger-Omaha Westside* - 6-5, Senior (22.5 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Nick Bahe-Lincoln Southeast - 6-3, Junior (20.0 ppg/4.6 rpg)

Dusty Jura-Columbus Lakeview** - 6-7, Senior (18.6 ppg/8.4 rpg)

*2002 Super-State 2nd Team:

Tyron Canby-Lincoln High - 6-0, Junior (16.3 ppg/4.2 rpg)

Shawn Swan-Ralston - 6-2, Senior (21.1 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Calvin Kapels-Columbus Lakeview* - 6-4, Senior (15.9 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Nedu Onyeuku-Creighton Prep - 6-4, Senior (15.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Turner Trofholz-Schuyler* - 6-7, Senior (18.5 ppg/9.5 rpg)

*2002 Super-State 3rd Team:

Anthony Williams-Omaha South - 6-7, Senior (16.7 ppg/NA)

Richard Pollock-Omaha Benson - 6-6, Senior (12.5 ppg/11.5 rpg)

Blake Erwin-Laurel-Concord - 6-5, Senior (27.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Zac Robinson-Millard West - 6-3, Senior (18.9 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Roy Enright-Omaha Burke - 6-9, Senior (12.7 ppg/6.8 rpg)