The Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 2006

Boys basketball had six classes in 2005-06. Each class qualified eight teams for the Boys State Basketball Tournament held on March 9, 10, and 11, 2006, in Lincoln.

Classes A and B were divided into six districts with the district champions and two wild-card teams, selected on the basis of a point system, qualifying for the state tournament. Omaha Bryan and Lincoln Northeast were the wild-card teams for Class A. Aurora and Omaha Skutt Catholic were the Class B wild-card teams. For the fourth year in NSAA history, Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2 also had two wild-card qualifiers. Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2 were divided into twelve sub-districts and six districts. The winners of the district finals in each class advanced to the state tournament. The two non-district champions with the highest wild-card average received invitations to the state tournament. The Class C1 wild-card qualifiers were Adams Central and Norfolk Catholic. Ponca and Superior were the C2 wild cards. In D1, Leigh and Wauneta-Palisade received the wild cards. Lewiston and Ewing were the D2 wild-card winners. Paid attendance: 90,688

*Class D-2:*

Quarterfinals:

(22-2) Ewing 70, Dodge 48 (19-10)

(23-2) Bloomfield 54, Wallace 39 (18-4)

(23-1) Spencer-Naper 55, Potter-Dix 35 (16-6)

(20-4) Lewiston 58, Clay Center 54 (19-4)

Semifinals:

(23-2) Ewing 52, Bloomfield 39 (24-2)

(23-1) Spencer-Naper 53, Lewiston 43 (24-1)

Finals:

(24-2) Ewing 48, Spencer-Naper 44 (24-1)

D-2 Champion: Ewing (25-2) - Head Coach: Greg Appleby.

*The D-2 All-Tournament team: Brett Kaczor-Ewing (5-10, Freshman), Adam Borders-Bloomfield (6-2, Jr.), Willie Drueke-Spencer-Naper (5-8, Sr..), Ryan Thramer-Ewing (6-3, Sr.), Kyle Knoche-Lewiston (6-1, Sr.)

*The Class D-2 tournament scoring leader was Ryan Thramer of state champ Ewing. Thramer hit double figures all three days (21, 17, 14) for a total of 52 points in the tournament. Ryan was 12 points in front of Spencer-Naper guard Willie Drueke, who had 39 for the D-2 tourney.

*The Class D-2 final:

There was never any doubt that this baby was going to be a classic. Ewing and Spencer-Naper met 3 times during the season prior this state final matchup. Spencer-Naper won two of those three meetings. It was also Spencer-Naper that defeated Ewing in the District final.

And the Pirates only loss during the season? You guessed it. A 45-44 loss to Class D-2, No. 1 Ewing in their Conference tournament final.

This was a Classic battle featuring #1 vs. #2. A fourth meeting between Class D-2’s best teams. There had to be no secrets between the two programs at this point in time, but Ewing must have wondered about that early on when Spencer-Naper junior Brady Kayl buried four three pointers in the first quarter, giving his team a 17-7 lead. Pirates all-stater Willie Drueke inflicted more pain on Ewing with his trio of 3-pointers during the first half of the 2nd quarter, swelling the Spencer-Naper lead to 24-13 with 4:22 left before halftime. That’s when Greg Appleby’s Tigers turned on the switch.

Ewing, buoyed by senior Ryan Thramer’s 14 points, would outscore Spencer-Naper 35-20 the remainder of the way to pull out a 48-44 win over the once beaten Pirates of coach Jim Carlson. Senior Brock Kaczor added 12 points, Joshua Wright matched that, giving Ewing their first ever state basketball championship after three runner-up finishes, the most recent coming in 2001 when the Tigers lost to Greeley 62-56 for all the D-2 marbles.

It was also Brock Kaczor who nailed a pair of free throws to ice the game after Spencer-Naper had pulled to within 46-44 with 37 seconds left on a Willie Drueke three point bomb.

Brady Kayl led the Pirates scoring with 14 tallies. Drueke added 13.

*Class D-1:*

Quarterfinals:

(20-3) Humphrey St. Francis 51, Bruning-Davenport 32 (21-5)

(21-3) Cambridge 75, Wauneta-Palisade 74 (20-3) (Overtime)

(24-0) Axtell 71, Orchard 58 (19-5)

(19-3) Leigh 46, Shelby 45 (19-4) (Overtime)

Semifinals:

(21-3) Humphrey St. Francis 81, Cambridge 48 (22-3)

(25-0) Axtell 47, Leigh 41 (20-3)

Finals:

(22-3) Humphrey St. Francis 70, Axtell 34 (26-0)

D-1: (23-3) Humphrey St. Francis; Head Coach: Eric Kessler.

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; Daniel Wegener-Humphrey St. Francis (6-1, Sr), Waid Vontz**-Cambridge (6-1, Sr.), Andrew Isom*-Wauneta-Palisade (6-4, Jr..), Eric Gustafson-Axtell (6-3, Sr.) and Elliot Sjuts-Humphrey St. Francis (6-5, Sr.)

*The D-1 Tournament scoring title belonged to St. Francis Flyer Daniel Wegener, who scored 58 points (12, 28, 18) during the 3 day run, including 18 in the championship route over Axtell. Three time all-tournament Waid Vontz from Cambridge outscored Wegener 49-40 the first two days, but the Flyers eliminated the Trojans 81-48 in the semifinals, limiting Vontz to two games in Lincoln.

*The D-1 championship game: Axtell’s bid for an undefeated season was derailed by a Humphrey St. Francis team that was simply loaded with more depth and experience. The Flyers romped in this one 70-34, but Axtell was actually still in the game when Wildcats post Kaleb Erickson hit a basket, cutting the St. Frans deficit to 21-16 with 2:47 left before halftime. But the Flyers rattled off nine unanswered points, keying a 24-4 run over the next 8 minutes, making it tough for an Axtell comeback.

On offense, it was Daniel Wegener’s 21 points leading the way for Eric Kessler’s Humphrey St. Francis juggernaut. Wegener connected for 5 three pointers in the contest, giving him a Class D-1 15 treys for the tournament, a new record. Only C-1’s Chad Geiger of Milford had more state tournament 3-point baskets at the time (16).

The Flyers were equally as efficient on defense, suffocating the Axtell offense to the point of 29% field goal shooting for the entire game. No Axtell player finished in double figures. The opportunistic St. Francis “D” also hounded Axtell into 22 turnovers for the contest, completely taking undefeated Axtell out of their offensive game plan.

Kendal Bender added 15 points for the Flyers, while Elliot Sjuts chipped in 12.

*Class C-2:*

Quarterfinals:

(21-2) David City Aquinas 68, Sutherland 26 (11-12)

(18-4) Plainview 66, Superior 42 (16-7)

(23-1) Ravenna 74, Bridgeport 39 (12-7)

(20-2) Ponca 62, Sutton 48 (17-5)

Semifinals:

(22-2) David City Aquinas 68, Plainview 43 (18-5)

(24-1) Ravenna 88, Ponca 56 (21-2)

Finals:

(23-2) David City Aquinas 60, Ravenna 55 (25-1)

C-2 Champion: David City Aquinas (24-2); Head Coach: Mark Watton.

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team was: Drake Beranek-Ravenna*** (6-4, Sr.), Jared Bemis-David City Aquinas (6-2, Sr.), Brian Birkel-David City Aquinas (6-0, Sr..), Kyle Eller-David City Aquinas (6-2, Sr.), Jason Jones-Ponca (6-1, Jr.).

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring title race was another “no contest” because of Ravenna super-star Drake Beranek. Despite being denied a repeat C-2 state championship, Drake scored 69 points (16, 30, 23 points) during his 3-day senior stay, swelling his state tournament points scored total to 200. The three time All-Stater played in 8 Class C-2 state tournament games over a span 3 years (2004-2006). Aquinas senior Brian Birkel was 23 points behind Beranek in 2006, scoring 46 points in three games (15, 21, 10 points).

*The Class C-2 Championship game: To this day, I still don’t know where that 2006 Aquinas team found the energy they displayed in the championship game win over Ravenna, but I’ll bet if Monarchs head man Mark Watton could have bottled it up at the time, he would have had pure gold in that bottle.

It seemed like a matter of Aquinas driving to the bucket for baskets on offense and the Monarchs junk defense, designed to shut off Ravenna scoring machine Drake Beranek, that made the difference in this 60-55 win over the defending C-2 champion Bluejays. It didn’t hurt matters that Aquinas shot a sizzling 72% from the field in the second half after Ravenna owned a commanding 32-22 lead at the halftime break.

It was missed shots from beyond the arc in the second half that spelled doom for Ravenna, but you cannot put the blame on Drake Beranek, who made 6 of his 9 attempts for a game high 23 points. But when you subtract Drake’s 3 point numbers, Ravenna ended up shooting 7 of 31 from long distance. Not going to work and it’s like Pauley Beranek said that day; “what a bad time to have your worst 3 point shooting day of the season.”

Give credit to David City Aquinas, who did revert back to Mark Watton’s 1-3-1 defense in the 4th stanza, for never running out of gas. And a more amazing fact? Aquinas used only ONE bench player the entire game and that man, Trevor Moravec, played less than one minute. So in the end, all five Monarch starters closed the game scoring in double figures.

Jared Bemis led the way with 16 points, Kyle Eller followed with 14. Matt Plasek, Brian Birkel and Craig Nickolite all scored 10 to account for all the points in the Monarchs 60-55 victory.

***(Ravenna hit 226 three pointers as a team, which was right behind Bellevue West at the time and is still currently ranked 6th all-time)***

****(Weeping Water (15) and Tecumseh (14) combined for 29 three point baskets in a game in 2006. That still stands as an all-time record today)

*Class C-1*:

Quarterfinals:

(19-4) Boys Town 55, Wahoo Neumann 54 (23-1)

(16-6) Norfolk Catholic 73, Adams Central 60 (18-5)

(22-1) Pierce 53, Gothenburg 45 (18-4)

(21-2) Louisville 56, Wood River 54 (18-5)

Semifinals:

(20-4) Boys Town 61, Norfolk Catholic 31 (17-6)

(22-2) Louisville 72, Pierce 53 (23-1)

Finals:

(21-4) Boys Town 68, Louisville 62 (23-2)

C-1 Champion: Boys Town (22-4). Head Coach: Tom Krehbiel.

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team: Vince Marshall-Boys Town (6-6, Sr.), Tremayne Hill-Boys Town (6-0, Sr.), Dwayne Wright-Boys Town (6-0, Sr.), Pat Deacon-Louisville (6-5, Sr.,), Tyler Peterson-Louisville (5-11, Jr.).

*The C-1 tournament scoring crown went to Louisville’s sharp-shooting junior Tyler Peterson, who scorched the nets for 73 points over his three appearances in the Big Dance. Peterson had games of 23, 34 and 16 points. Vince Marshall of C-1 champ Boys Town was 16 points back with his 57 points (20, 19, 18 points)

*The C-1 championship game: I must say that my good friend Tom Krehbiel really earned this Class C-1 Championship in 2006. First off, Boys Town came in as the #8 seed in C-1, drawing #1 seed Wahoo Newman, a 23-1 team that had already beaten the Cowboys three times. No problem, Krehbiel had a great game plan, a terrific pre-game speech (which I had the honor of hearing) and an ending that read Boys Town 55-54 Bishop Newman. Coach Krehbiel needed another refocusing halftime speech in the semifinals when the Cowboys fell behind to Norfolk Catholic by 15 points. Must have worked because Boys Town rallied for a 61-56 win over the Knights to gain this final opposite a strong Louisville team.

Once again, Boys Town trailed 35-28 at halftime to Louisville in the title game. Yes, the Cowboys had the magnificent Vince Marshall, but the senior star was allowing Louisville’s big, physical post player Pat Deacon to out rebound him during the opening two quarters. But Krehbiel’s 6-6 inside man took over in the 3rd quarter after a little “encouraging” during the break, scoring 9 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive boards.

Boys Town also had to be concerned with Louisville’s all-state Tyler Peterson, who exploded for 34 points in the Lions semifinal win over Pierce. The Cowboys did just that, holding the Louisville star to 16 points. Meanwhile, the Cowboys rallied to take a 49-48 lead after three quarters, then opened the 4th with a 9-2 run. That run, which gave Boys Town the daylight they needed (58-50), was fueled by a pair of treys by Dwaine Wright, then a steal, followed thundering dunk by Marshall.

A beautiful step-back jumper by the talented Peterson pulled Louisville to within 64-61 with 1:08 left, but the Cowboys held on to come away with a 68-62 win and their first state title in 40 years.

Vince Marshall led Boys Town with 18 points, Wright followed with 17, Rodney Harp added 14, while Tremayne Hill chipped in 13.

***As a side note, I thought Tyler Peterson had one of the most beautiful step-back jump shots I had witnessed in a long time. Just pretty, that’s all I can say.

*Class B:*

Quarterfinals:

(20-2) Aurora 56, Norris 48 (12-10)

(15-5) Holdrege 58, Ralston 37 (17-8)

(16-5) Omaha Skutt Catholic 72, Gering 48 (14-10)

(16-6) Blair 61, Crete 48 (15-5)

Semifinals:

(16-5) Holdrege 62, Aurora 60 (21-2)

(17-5) Omaha Skutt Catholic 73, Blair 66, (17-6)

Finals:

(18-5) Omaha Skutt Catholic 54, Holdrege 49 (17-5)

Class B Champion: Omaha Skutt Catholic (19-5). Head Coach: Jon Burt.

*The Class B All-Tournament Team: Pete Reynolds-Blair (6-8, Sr.), Joe Broekemeier-Aurora (6-4, Sr.), Pat Ackerman-Holdrege (6-0, Sr.), Trent Schlautman-Omaha Skutt Catholic (5-10, Jr.); Brad Smith-Holdrege (6-5, Sr.).

*The Class B State Tournament scoring leader was Holdrege 3 sport standout Pat Ackerman, wh accumulated 59 points in 3 games for the Class B runner-up Dusters (12, 18, 29 points). Ackerman’s 29 points in the Class B championship game accounted for 60% of the Dusters 49 points scored in that loss to Skutt. The champion SkyHawks junior Trent Schlautman was 11 behind Ackerman with 48 points (12, 17, 19).

*The Class B final between Skutt and Holdrege was a dandy. An overtime dandy to exact. When the portly lady finally sang her song, Omaha Skutt’s young basketball team had pocketed a state championship, the third boys state title of the 2005-2006 sports season. The hoops championship trophy was a nice addition to the football and wrestling trophies the Skyhawks had already garnered before the spring sports season had even begun.

Make no mistake about it though, the Skyhawks Class B state championship win did not come easy even though Jon Burt’s Skutt team hit 11 of their first 12 shots. Trouble was, Holdrege had Pat Ackerman, one of Class B’s finest three sport athletes and he did key a heck of a rally after junior Trent Schlautman and Jake Renders each hit their first three shots of the contest. In fact, Ackerman brought the Dusters back from a 16-9 opening quarter deficit to a 33-32 lead at the half fueled by his 10 second quarter tallies.

The two teams went back and forth in the second half until Holdrege ran the clock down to two seconds remaining in the game. Ackerman then took, and missed a would-be winning shot, but the game was not over just yet. The SkyHawks Matt Foster rebounded Ackerman’s miss, took a few steps and launched a 54 foot shot that went straight through the basket. But the shot was ruled too late and the game was headed for overtime knotted at 56.

Omaha Skutt outscored Jerry Buck’s Dusters 10-6 in overtime to take the 66-62 win. Six of the 10 points for Skutt came from the charity stripe in overtime. The free throw thing ended up being huge earlier as well, as the Skyhawks closed things out, sinking 14 of 15 free tosses down the stretch.

Trent Schlautman led the SkyHawks with 23 points. Pat Ackerman took game scoring honors with his 29 big ones.

*Class A:*

Quarterfinals:

(24-2) Bellevue West 58, Millard North 48 (12-9)

(19-4) Lincoln Southeast 68, Omaha Bryan 53 (21-5)

(14-10) Kearney 69, Lincoln Northeast 67 (19-2)

(21-4) Omaha Central 74, Creighton Prep 61 (17-5)

Semifinals:

(25-2) Bellevue West 64, Lincoln Southeast 57 (20-4)

(22-4) Omaha Central 68, Kearney 58 (15-10)

Finals:

(23-4) Omaha Central 84, Bellevue West 79 (26-2) (Overtime)

Class A Champion: Omaha Central (24-4). Head Coach: Eric Behrens.

*The Class “A” All-Tournament Team included three sophomores and a pair of seniors: Matt Hill-Lincoln SE (6-11, Sr.), Jake Meyer-Bellevue West (6-6, Sr.), Josh Jones-Omaha Central (6-1, Soph.), Ronnell Grixby-Omaha Central (5-9, Soph.), Antoine Young-Bellevue West (6-0, Soph.).

*Class A Tournament scoring honors went to Bellevue West’s sensational sophomore Antoine Young, who served notice to the Class A ranks he would be a force to be reckoned with for the next 2 seasons. Young piled up 67 points in 3 days with scoring outbursts of 18, 25 and 24 points. Young’s sophomore counterpart from Omaha Central, Josh Jones, was next with 55 points in three games. After scoring just 6 points in the Eagles opening round win over Creighton Prep, the talented Central PG posted games of 25 and 24 points, exactly matching Young’s semifinal and final games 25 and 24 points.

*The Class A championship game: Omaha Central dethroned Bellevue West as Class A state champions in a game that featured an overtime period just like Class B. It was Omaha Central’s Ronnell Grixby’s muffed free throw that sent the game into the extra period, but the sophomore point guard made amends for that miss in the overtime session. Big Time.

Grixby served up three assists that turned into a trio of three pointers, made a three pointer himself, hit a pair of free throws and pulled down two rebounds to lift #1 Omaha Central to the 84-79 OT win.

The game was all square at 66 when the buzzer sounded ending regulation play, but the Eagles, who had been eliminated in the semis the year before and the opening round the 3 previous years before that, outscored Bellevue West 18-13 in overtime the gain the 2006 Class A title.

This was one of the better Class A title games I had seen in quite a spell and certainly one of the loudest, which makes it even better. The featured battle between stars Josh Jones of Omaha Central and Bellevue West’s Antoine Young was outstanding with each scoring 24 points. But it was the Thunderbird’s Jake Meyer who took scoring honors with his 29 points, aided by his sharpshooting 10 of 14 made shots from the field.

In the end, it may have been Central seniors Rodney Grace and Tim Kanger who willed their younger Eagles teammates to win. The pair only scored 7 points apiece, but it was the constant urging and reminding on their part that this team did not want to suffer the disappointments the past 3 years had brought to the two seniors.

Omaha Central’s overtime heroes? Freshman Vondrae Tostenson nailed the initial trey after Bell West deadeye Jake Meyer hit his three to begin the overtime period. It was then Ronnell Grixby with his defensive rebound and ensuing three pointer, then steady-eddy Ben Kline and his pair of treys, and finally Ronnell Grixby with his two clutch free throws. Incredible high school basketball game.

***Bellevue West set a team record for most three point baskets in 2006 with 276. The mark still currently ranks 3rd all-time.***

**The 2006 All-Class, All-Tournament Team was an all Class A quintet including; Matt Hill-Lincoln Southeast (6-11, Sr), Antoine Young-Bellevue West (6-0, Soph.), Josh Jones-Omaha Central (6-0, Sr.), Ronnell Grixby-Omaha Central (5-9, Soph.), Vince Marshall-Boys Town (6-6, Sr.).

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*2006 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Ryan Thramer-Ewing* - 6-3, Senior (15.3 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Jeremy Cruise-St. Edward* - 5-10, Junior (22.3 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Ryan Rhodes-Paxton* - 6-4, Senior (23.0 ppg/7.0 rpg) (1,680 career points)

Cory Beran-Sargent* - 6-3, Senior (16.9 ppg/11.7 rpg)

Bryson Studnicka-Clay Center - 6-4, Junior (14.7 ppg/8.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

David Filsinger-Clearwater - 6-1, Senior (20.3 ppg/3.2 rpg)

Kyle Knoche-Lewiston - 6-1, Senior (16.5 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Willie Drueke-Spencer-Naper - 5-8, Senior (16.2 ppg/2.0 rpg)

Adam Broders-Bloomfield - 6-3, Junior (21.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Tim Sisko-Lewiston - 6-4, Junior (15.3 ppg/8.9 rpg)

*Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State;

Seniors: Brandon Stoddard-Banner County; Jake Runyon-Bloomfield; Joe Michael-Clearwater; Joshua Wright, Brock Kaczor, Mike Harpster-Ewing; James Regier, James Penner-Hampton; Dan Uden-Kenesaw; Ryan Thomas-Lewiston; Mark Peterson-Loup County; Ryan Mumm-McPherson County; Jared McFadden-Paxton; Brian Paseka-Prague; Kash Tobias-Sargent; Brennon Johnson, Ben Robinson-South Platte; James Schmeits-Spalding/Spalding Academy; Josh Rhode-Sumner-Eddyville-Miller.

Juniors: Kyle Sanderson, Lance Fick-Chambers; Ben Franzluebbers, Derek Kampschneider-Dodge; Michael Olberding, Seth Vonderschmidt-Falls City Sacred Heart; Tony Bursovsky-Lewiston; Clayton Korus-Lindsay Holy Family; Jared Klassen-Lynch; Cody Sierks-Sandhills; Adam Carlson, Rol Kersch, Brady Kahl, Marcus Alford-Spencer-Naper; Wiley Sowle, Andy Boroner-Wallace; Klay Kasselder-Wheeler Central; Matt Wieseler-Wynot.

Sophomores: Caleb Pokorny-Falls City Sacred Heart

Freshman: Brett Kaczor-Ewing

*2006 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Wade Vontz***-Cambridge - 6-1, Senior, (26.8 ppg/10.4 rpg) (1,773 career points)

Kole Ficken-Bruning-Davenport* - 6-1, Senior (18.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Ben Tasa-Humphrey St. Francis* - 6-6, Senior (16.0 ppg/7.9 rpg)

Blake Maaske Arapahoe- 6-3, Senior (21.0 ppg/9.6 rpg)

Eric Gustafson-Axtell - 6-3, Senior (16.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Andrew Isom-Wauneta-Palisade - 6-4, Junior (15.5 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Tony Braithwait-Arapahoe - 6-1, Senior (14.9 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Ryan Rudloff-Newman Grove - 5-11, Senior (17.0 ppg/5.5 rpg)

Lance Thorell-Loomis - 6-1, Junior (19.1 ppg/6.6 rpg)

Preston Blackmore-Orchard - 5-10, Senior (16.7 ppg/6.0 rpg)

*Class D-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Jake Ring-Alma; Van Jones-Amherst; Dalton Holtzen, Alex Schoenholz-Bruning-Davenport; Anthony Lytle, Brian Ballou-Cambridge; Lee McPhillips-Cedar Rapids; Alex Smith-Crawford; Ryan Brooke-Cross County; Matt Smith-Dorchester; Todd Warren-Eustis-Farnam; Joseph Frecks-Hayes Center; Daniel Wegener, Alex Sjuts-Humphrey St. Francis; Chance Svoboda, Curt Bolte-Lawrence-Nelson; Jeremy Hetrick-Loomis; Jon Hofer-Maxwell; Brian Kuhr-Mead; Mark Houser-Meridian; JJ Ozuna, Henry Armstrong-Minatare; Jason Smith-Nebraska (Waco) Lutheran; Blaine Siepelmeyer-Nemaha Valley; Tanner Schutt-Orchard; Michael Musil-Pawnee City; Jared Riessland-Pleasanton; Justin Eldredge-Red Cloud; Kellen Weidner-Rock County; Kurtis Popken-Scribner-Snyder; Jordan Crook-Shelby; Pat Riha-Stuart.

Juniors: Mitch Anderson-Axtell; David Niewoehner-Bancroft-Rosalie; Greg Schroeder-Bruning-Davenport; Taylor Elring-Cedar Bluffs; Stephen Schutz-Elwood; Ryan Wetovick-Eustis-Farnam; Justin Yates-Freeman; Pedro Gabriel-Harvard; John Thompson-Hitchcock County; Tyler Christensen-Humphrey; Nathan Bender-Humphrey St. Francis; Dan Alexander-Johnson-Brock; Ryan Sanger-Loomis; Nate Thorson-Mead; Jon Newcomb-Nemaha Valley; Matt Hughes-North Loup-Scotia; Mason Wood-Palmer; Andy McCarter-Overton; Casey Beck-Scribner-Snyder; Marc Klina, Trevor Ridlen-Wauneta-Palisade; Marcus Messersmith-Winside.

Sophomores: Josh Buetler-Bancroft-Rosalie; Evan McIntyre-Cedar Rapids; Kyle Glidden-Dundy County; Bryson Mahlberg-Elwood; Kendal Bender-Humphrey St. Francis; Nathan Bacon-Overton; Elijah Zweiner-Pleasanton; Matt Gillespie-Shelby.

Freshmen: Ryan Busboom-Freeman

*2006 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Drake Beranek***-Ravenna - 6-4, Senior (25.0 ppg/10.0 rpg) (1,873 career points)

Tyler Cyboron-Ravenna* - 5-11, Senior (18.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Jeremiah Slough-Doniphan-Trumbull - 6-2, Senior (23.6 ppg/9.1 rpg)

Kyle Eller-David City Aquinas - 6-2, Senior (14.9 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Jake Johnson-Grand Island Central Catholic - 6-3, Junior (19.9 ppg/7.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Wes Eikmeier-Fremont Bergan - 6-2, Sophomore (22.6 ppg/3.5 rpg)

Brian Birkel-David City Aquinas - 6-2, Senior (14.7 ppg/2.6 rpg)

Jacob Brandl-North Platte St. Patricks - 6-1, Senior (24.8 ppg/9.8 rpg)

Beau Bonness-Omaha Brownell-Talbot - 6-3, Senior (13.9 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Luke Luetchens-Elmwood-Murdock - 6-0, Senior (20.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

*Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Jared Bemis, Matt Plasek, Craig Nickolite-David City Aquinas; Brady Betten-Deshler; Cody Mallinger-Diller-Odell; Mason Brodine-Elm Creek; Brett Baller, Casey Kuska-Exeter-Milligan; Jordan Slocum-Franklin; Chris Schluter-Friend; Curt Bittner-Fullerton; Josh Hudson-High Plains; Justin Sindelar, Scott Blum, Bryon Janata-Howells; Alan Wirth-Lourdes Central Catholic; Alex Weaver-Lutheran High NE; Casey French-Malcolm; Jesse Rudloff-Neligh-Oakdale; Jacob Brandl-North Platte St. Pats; Tyler Gansebom-Osmond; Matt Nordhues-Randolph; James Habe-Ravenna; Edgar Saldana-Shelton; Trevor Murphy-Southern; Curtis Osborn, Ian Hrasky-Sutherland; Enrique Beatriz-Sutton; Kyle Goracke, Andy Rathe-Tecumseh; Luke Henderson, Andy Hampl, Cory Gustafson-Wakefield, J.J.Macke-Weeping Water.

Juniors: Tyson Jordening-Blue Hill; Dexter Spitsnogle-Diller-Odell; Alex Gutzmann-Emerson-Hubbard; Jonathan Santin-Fullerton; Michael Volker, Wes Schaardt-Humboldt-TRS; Matt Day-Loup City; Jimmy Lance-Lourdes Central Catholic, Jeff Bacon-Lyons-Decatur NE; Austin Gadeken-Neligh-Oakdale; Mitchell Schultze-Osmond; Ben Klein, Grant Rutledge-Plainview; Jason Jones, Zach Kramper-Ponca; Nate Backer-Randolph; Ben Lester-Tecumseh.

Sophomores: Ken Zoz-Elmwood-Murdock; Porter Birtell-Lutheran High NE; Brooke Wiebe-Sutton; Joe Haverman-Weeping Water.

*2005 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Aaron Brandt-Wahoo Neumann* - 6-4, Senior (17.7 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Casey Schrader-Syracuse* - 6-5, Senior (18.2 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Tyler Peterson-Louisville - 5-10, Junior (19.5 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Vince Marshall-Boys Town - 6-6, Senior (15.3 ppg/13.1 rpg)

Jesse Carr-Ainsworth - 6-1, Sophomore (29.9 ppg/2.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jason Ahrens-Wahoo Neumann - 6-1, Senior (14.5 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Randy Weich-Pierce - 6-3, Junior (14.6 ppg/4.6 rpg)

Preston Englund-Adams Central - 6-3, Senior (14.2 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Mitch Mohr-Twin River - 6-5, Senior (17.0 ppg/10.3 rpg)

Duaine Wright-Boys Town - 6-0, Senior (10.3 ppg/3.7 rpg)

*Class C-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Mackenzie Hemje, Evan Volzke, Adam Drudik-Adams Central; Dave Taylor-Ashland-Greenwood; Wes Drumm-Bennington; Chase Larson-Chase County; Dreu Young-Cozad; Lee Hullman-Falls City; Levi Fickenscher-Gothenburg; Chris Souchek, Spencer Ostrander-Hastings St. Cecilia; Austin Katt, Kevin Von Seggern-Logan View; Pat Deacon, Chris Osterloh-Louisville; Nick Miller-Milford; Adam Mroczek, Anthony Blum-Minden; Jake Langel-Norfolk Catholic; Justin Pecka-Raymond Central; Andrew Winscot-Southern Valley; Nick Andrew-Tekamah-Herman; Mitch Mohr, Derek Stankowski-Twin River; Nick Milliken-Wahoo; Logan Oliva, Lucas Albrecht-Wilber-Clatonia; Cody Gilson-Wisner-Pilger; Jake Wissing-Wood River.

Juniors: Brett Sapp-Ashland-Greenwood; Zane Abner, Adam Olson-Atkinson West Holt; Aaron Kluza-Morrissey, Curtis Thompson-Battle Creek; Sam Blake-Centennial; Taylor Wentz-Chase County; Sean Hoarty-Fillmore Central; David Benge-Gibbon; Andrew Strop-Lincoln Christian; Jamie Deacon-Louisville; Ben LaCrosse, Justin Heng-Norfolk Catholic; Lance Wilson-Perkins County; Scott Hrabik-Syracuse; Tyler Pieper-Tri-County; Kevin Peterson-Valentine; Ben Shanahan, Tyler Pacas-Wahoo; Ransen Broders-Wayne.

Sophomores: Kraig Flanagan, Anthony Michael-Elkhorn Mt. Michael; Brett Maher-Centennial; Cody Roes-Chadron; Kyle Hilger-David City; Tony Sprick-Fort Calhoun; Jameson Rexilius-Lincoln Christian; Mike Long-O’Neill; Reggie Ruhl-Wayne; Mychael McClure-Wisner-Pilger.

*2006 Class B All-State Team*

Joe Broekemeier-Aurora* -6-4, Senior (17.7 ppg/5.8 rpg)

Jake Spurgeon-Gretna - 6-3, Senior (18.9 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Pete Reynolds-Blair - 6-8, Senior (17.5 ppg/9.5 rpg)

Brad Smith-Holdrege - 6-5, Senior (13.1 ppg/6.1 rpg)

John Levorson-Crete - 6-3, Sophomore (15.1 ppg/3.8)

2nd Team:

Trent Schlautman-Omaha Skutt -5-10, Junior (13.2 ppg/2.5 rpg)

Scott Neuhalfen-Blair - 6-5, Senior (16.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Pat Akerman-Holdrege - 6-0, Junior (12.9 ppg/6.7 rpg)

Alex Anderson-Omaha Skutt - 6-3, Senior (10.3 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Max Krumm-Waverly - 6-3, Junior (18.5 ppg/3.7 rpg)

*Class B All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Tyler Briggs-Alliance, Jared Melcher, Darren Jarosik-Aurora; Mike Higgins-Beatrice; Jason Trulin-Blair; Toas Jaixon, Kyle Kapels-Columbus Lakeview; Cole Bunner-Elkhorn Mt. Michael; Brady Hubbard-Gering; Ryan Brungardt-Gretna; Aaron Williams-Hastings; Corey Shield-Holdrege; Ben Cruickshank-Norris; Shane Cooney-Ogallala; Ian Bonder-Omaha Roncalli; Taylor Nielsen-Platteview; Michael Ray-Plattsmouth; Mike Macke, Jake Tietgen-Ralston, John Guynan-Schuyler; Cade Luebbe-Seward.

Juniors: Troy Huebert-Aurora, Evan Lamprecht-Elkhorn; Trey Simpson-Fairbury; Nate Greene-Gering, John Ring-Grand Island Northwest; John Goodwin-Holdrege; Matt Foster-Omaha Skutt; Derek Hull-Schuyler; Greg Hinkle-Scottsbluff; Tyler Weatherholt-Seward; Jay Martin-Waverly; Evan Bodke-York.

Sophomores: Mike Fox-Beatrice, Steve Palmtag-Nebraska City; Andy Morris-Omaha Skutt; Ryan Linder-Plattsmouth, Ryan Palme-Waverly

*2006 Class A All-State Team:

Matt Hill-Lincoln Southeast* - 6-11, Senior (20.1 ppg/12.7 rpg)

Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast* - 6-0, Senior (20.3 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Avery Tyler-Omaha Bryan - 6-0, Senior (18.0 ppg/4.8 rpg)

Tyler Bullock-Lincoln North Star - 6-2, Senior (25.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Antoine Young-Bellevue West - 6-0, Sophomore (18.1 ppg/3.4 rpg)

2nd Team:

Matt Newman-Lincoln East - 6-5, Senior (22.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Josh Jones-Omaha Central - 6-1, Sophomore (14.4 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Jeff Martin-Bellevue West - 6-2, Senior (16.8 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Rodney Grace-Omaha Central - 6-6, Senior (14.1 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Richard Marion-Creighton Prep - 5-7, Senior (19.3 ppg/1.0 rpg)

*Class “A” All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Jake Meyer-Bellevue West, Hank Jenkins-Creighton Prep; Jeremy Siems, John Pribnow-Fremont; Jay Kropp-Grand Island, Drew Emken, Blaine Gronewoller-Kearney; Kendall Franz-Lincoln East; Josiah Parker-Lincoln High; Jordan Shoecraft, Derrick Russell-Lincoln North Star; Jerry Vaughn-Taylor-Lincoln NE; Alek Blankenau-Lincoln SE; Ian Dike, Dylan Aylward-Lincoln SW; Ray O’Neil, Paul Homer-Millard North; Bob Rech-Millard South; Justin Onken-Millard West; Jordan Wells-Norfolk, Matt Starks-Omaha Bryan; Andrew Anderson-Omaha Burke; Tim Kanger-Omaha Central; Richard Webb-Omaha Northwest; Eric Becker, Brent McNurlin-Papillion La Vista South.

Juniors: Joe Chavis-Bellevue East, Tyler Vandament-Bellevue West; Tyler Horky, Jason Schlautman-Columbus; Jake Gdowski-Grand Island; Cody Kissel, Joey Rousseau-Kearney; Tyler McManamen, Jimmy Ebke-Lincoln East; Wendell Faines, Kent Urban-Lincoln NE, Matt Conahan-Millard North; Travis Jurgens-North Platte; Brett Shively-Norfolk; L.C. Doss-Omaha Benson; Dijon Smith, J.C. Hall-Omaha Bryan; Ben Kline-Omaha Central; Tywain Hill-Omaha Northwest; Mitch Albers-Papillion La Vista

Sophomores: James Futch, Ronell Cutler-Bellevue East; Jeff Allgood-Bellewood West; Josh Riser-Lincoln High; Ronnell Grixby-Omaha Central; Kendall Wehrle-Papillion La Vista South.

*2006 Super-State 1st Team:

Matt Hill-Lincoln Southeast* - 6-11, Senior (20.1 ppg/12.7 rpg)

Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast* - 6-0, Senior (20.3 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Avery Tyler-Omaha Bryan - 6-0, Senior (18.0 ppg/4.8 rpg)

Tyler Bullock-Lincoln North Star - 6-2, Senior (25.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Antoine Young-Bellevue West - 6-0, Sophomore (18.1 ppg/3.4 rpg)

*2006 Super-State 2nd Team:

Drake Beranek**-Ravenna - 6-4, Senior (25.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Josh Jones-Omaha Central - 6-1, Sophomore (14.4 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Jeff Martin-Bellevue West - 6-2, Senior (16.8 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Rodney Grace-Omaha Central - 6-6, Senior (14.1 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Wade Vontz**-Cambridge - 6-1, Senior, (26.8 ppg/10.4 rpg)

*2006 Super-State 3rd Team:

Joe Broekemeier-Aurora* -6-4, Senior (17.7 ppg/5.8 rpg)

Aaron Brandt-Wahoo Neumann* - 6-4, Senior (17.7 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Vince Marshall-Boys Town - 6-6, Senior (15.3 ppg/13.1 rpg)

Matt Newman-Lincoln East - 6-5, Senior (22.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Jake Spurgeon-Gretna - 6-3, Senior (18.9 ppg/8.0 rpg)