Preview of Class A Boys State  Basketball Tournament

First RoundTournamentPreview.asp
1:30 p.m.
Bellevue West (24-2) vs Millard North 912-9)-The Thunderbirds are two time defending state champions.This team may not be as good as the previous two, but they are still formidable. The Mustangs play terrific defense, but they can't score enough to pull the upset. If Chip Bahe's team takes care of the ball, this could be closer than people think.
5:00 p.m.
Omaha Bryan (21-5) vs Lincoln Southeast (19-4)-This is one of the better first round matchups. Southeast whipped the Bears on a neutral court, but that has little bearing on a state tournament game. Having said that, I look for the Knights to pull off a victory with Matt Hill and Mike Masin providing a strong inside presence. Bryan can counter with 6-8 Dijon Smith, but the Bears have only one player averaging in double figures. Alex Blankenau is back in good form, so I'll take Southeast in a toss up.
7:00 p.m.

Lincoln Northeast (19-2)vs Kearney (14-10)-The Rockets have been number one for a good share of the season and there's a good reason for that. Andrew Bridger averages 20 a game while Wendell Faines, at 6-8, drops in 15.6 a contest.Ironically, Kearney defeated Lincoln Southwest, while the Silver Hawks handed Northeast one of its two losses. Dont put any stock in that as the Bearcats lost to the rest of the Lincoln schools. Not enought firepower for an upset here, but it should still be fairly close..
9:00 p.m.

Omaha Creighton Prep (17-5) vs Omaha Central (21-4)-This should be the best first round game of the tournament.It could be speed against size, but this game has more to it that just those two barometers. Prep goes 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-7 and 6-8, but Central's quickness could result in steals on its press and transition baskets on fast breaks. The Eagles are differerent than some of the teams that have choked at state. They play together much better and are more disciplined than in the past. Prep made it to the championship game last year and is playing the same style that was successful last season. Prep won the regular season encounter by one. A shaky nod to the Eagles in a very close game.