End of Camps Top 5 Team Rankings in Each Class
Two weeks ago, I gave you my top five teams in each class at the mid-July point of the summer. Now that teams camps are officially over, it’s time to update those rankings. Keep in mind, the rankings from two…
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Continue ReadingTwo weeks ago, I gave you my top five teams in each class at the mid-July point of the summer. Now that teams camps are officially over, it’s time to update those rankings.
Keep in mind, the rankings from two weeks ago were before the official NSAA classifications came out for this season, so I’ve had to adjust some teams based on new classes. Also, remember, these are not the “official” preseason rankings. Those are still a couple weeks away and will feature the full top 10 in each class plus the Statewide Top 25.
So, here is how I think things stack up in each class after a whirlwind of team camp activity. Good luck to all teams and players as practices/tryouts get underway next week!
Class A
1.) Lincoln Pius X
2.) Millard North
3.) Omaha Marian
4.) Millard West
5.) Papillion-LaVista South
In the hunt: Papillion-LaVista, Gretna, Lincoln East, Lincoln Southwest, Millard South, Lincoln Southeast, Bellevue West.
Thoughts: Only change is the insertion of Millard West at #4 and adding Lincoln Southeast and Bellevue West as contenders. I still think Pius X and Millard North are the clear top two teams based on returning talent, but teams 3-12 in Class A are going to be a really crowded group – at least initially. I really feel this is the most wide open Class A has been in a very long time.
Class B
1.) Skutt Catholic
2.) Elkhorn South
3.) Omaha Duchesne
4.) Seward
5.) Elkhorn
In the hunt: Grand Island Northwest, Sidney, Hastings, Norris, Waverly, Alliance, North Platte, Bennington.
Thoughts: The top three stay the same, but Seward and Elkhorn both had some really good camps and claim the final two ranking spots for now. Frankly, it’s a long shot that the Class B title goes to anyone other than Skutt, Elkhorn South or Duchesne. The other 10 teams listed are pretty even and are capable of making a run to the semifinals or even championship.
Class C-1
1.) Wahoo
2.) Grand Island Central Catholic
3.) St. Paul
4.) Omaha Concordia
5.) Lincoln Lutheran
In the hunt: Bishop Neumann, Kearney Catholic, Lincoln Christian, Ogallala, Syracuse, Minden, Centura
Thoughts: St. Paul jumps up to third after its impressive showing at Nebraska Top 10 and Omaha Concordia moves up a spot after its play at Top 10 as well. Kelsie Cada might just be the best player in the state and Neumann has a chance to be really good, but the Cavaliers were a little erratic at times this summer. Kearney Catholic is young, but they are going to surprise people.
Class C-2
1.) Stanton
2.) Hartington Cedar Catholic
3.) Superior
4.) Thayer Central
5.) Southern Valley
In the hunt: Battle Creek, Nebraska Christian, Ponca, Wisner-PIlger, Doniphan-Trumbull, Arcadia-Loup City, Clarkson-Leigh, Blue Hill.
Thoughts: Initially Archbishop Bergan was listed as #3, but the Knights dropped to D-1, which moves defending champs Superior up. After what just took place at the Nebraska Top 10, Stanton is the clear-cut team to beat. Thayer Central and Arcadia-Loup City are two teams to keep your eye on.
Class D-1
1.) Johnson-Brock
2.) Archbishop Bergan
3.) Diller-Odell
4.) Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family
5.) Central Valley
In the hunt: Heartland, Meridian, North Platte St. Patrick’s, Lutheran High Northeast, Lawrence-Nelson, Howells-Dodge, HTRS, Hartington-Newcastle.
Thoughts: I tell you what, if Johnson-Brock wins its fourth-straight Class D-1 title this fall, it will have earned it the hard way. Didn’t get a chance to see the Eagles with Fallon Stutheit this summer, but Johnson-Brock is going to have enough talent to make a really strong push for another title. Archbishop Bergan hasn’t had Lexie Langley this summer either, but when the Knights get her back they are big-time title contenders. Diller-Odell is going to be very strong and Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family is only team to take a set off Stanton at Top 10 Camp, so the top of the class is loaded and it’s also a deep class.
Class D-2
1.) BDS
2.) Ewing
3.) Exeter-Milligan
4.) Stuart
5.) Mead
In the hunt: Red Cloud, CWC, Falls City Sacred Heart, Mullen, Bertrand.
Thoughts: Exeter-Milligan did really well as a Class D-2 team competing in the C2 division at Nebraska Top 10 and is the defending state champ and was #1 two weeks ago. BDS and Ewing, however, showed me more a couple days earlier in the D1/D2 portion of the camp and jump up.