Best of the West: Names to Know in the 308 Area Code
Prep athletics in western Nebraska is underappreciated by many, and it often doesn’t get the press that it deserves. Nevertheless, small schools along I-80 and toward the panhandle continue to produce high-caliber athletes who make some serious noise in the…
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Continue ReadingPrep athletics in western Nebraska is underappreciated by many, and it often doesn’t get the press that it deserves. Nevertheless, small schools along I-80 and toward the panhandle continue to produce high-caliber athletes who make some serious noise in the Star City come tournament time. The 308 area code roughly encompasses all points west of Grand Island and Kearney, and that’s the region I’ll be spotlighting today. Here are some names to know in “The 308”:
Jakubowski
Josie Jakubowski – 5’9 OH – St. Paul – Class of 2021
Last November, I saw Jakubowski go swing-for-swing with Lincoln Lutheran’s superstar Division 1 recruit, Marriah Buss Marriah Buss 6'1" | OH Lincoln Lutheran | 2020 State NE , in the Class C1 title match. That, in itself, is a testament to both the talent level in western Nebraska and the ability of Jakubowski herself. Josie was the workhorse attacker for her St. Paul squad, which went a perfect 35-0 before falling in the C1 championship. A great example of a gritty player, Jakubowski provides the clutch swings and valuable leadership that should have St. Paul back in the title hunt in 2020. I’d bet on Jakubowski playing with a chip on her shoulder after last season’s heartbreaking end, which is a scary thought for any team that stands in her way.
Katy Linder Katy Linder 5'11" | RS Pleasanton | 2021 State NE – 5’11 OH – Pleasanton – Class of 2021
Like Jakubowski, Lindner was a go-to left side who led her team to a #1 tournament seed in her respective class. Lindner ranked second in Class D1 in kills with 396, and her .378 hitting percentage was good enough for third. She was unstoppable for most of the 2019 regular season, helping her Bulldogs reach the state tournament with only one loss. A first-team all-state selection, Lindner is a humble leader who does whatever she can to better her team, including taking on a six-rotation passing role last season. Though Pleasanton was upset in last year’s D1 state semifinals by Archbishop Bergan, Lindner’s determination and work ethic are great reasons to believe that Pleasanton can reach the top in 2020.
Chloe Cloud Chloe Cloud 6'2" | MB Grand Island Central Catholic | 2022 State NE – 6’2 MB – Grand Island Central Catholic – Class of 2022
GICC went through the top two seeds en route to a C2 title last year, and Cloud was a big reason why. I remember being initially struck by Cloud’s energy on the court. She has a positive and encouraging presence at the net, and her teammates enjoy having her in the huddle. Then you watch Cloud play, and you realize how talented she is. She moves so fluidly along the net for someone her size and length. Closing blocks is natural for her, as she uses her lateral quickness to quickly cover a lot of space. She brings so much excitement to the floor when she puts down a kill, and the Crusaders hope that there will be no shortage of excitement next season.
Ashley Keck Ashley Keck 5'9" | OH Kearney Catholic | 2022 State NE – 5’9 OH – Kearney Catholic – Class of 2022
What is Keck’s favorite set to hit? I think I know the answer to this one: set the ball high in the two-gap and let Keck bury the ball out of middle-front. I’ve seen it work over and over again. There is something so natural about her three-step approach in the middle of the net, but she’s just as skilled on the left pin, too. Keck had almost 1200 swings for the Stars last year and also shouldered passing responsibilities. Many players would wear down when this much is asked of them, but Keck’s production did not wane toward the end of the year. Rather, Keck saved her best for last, tallying double-digit kills in each of her last five matches. This all-around athlete is also a standout in basketball and track. In other words, Keck does not have an offseason.
Gracie Woods Gracie Woods 6'0" | OH Grand Island CC | 2023 State NE – 6’0 OH – Grand Island Central Catholic – Nebraska Juniors 16-1 – Class of 2023
Playing up a year on NJV’s 16-1 squad, Woods has a mature, all-around game that is rare in someone her age. Her approach on the left pin is very smooth and precise, allowing her to elevate at the net and hit with spectacular range. She thrives as a primary passer, too, and plays great middle-back defense. It’s no wonder, then, why Woods played a major role in lifting her GICC squad to last year’s state title match. Woods had 274 kills as a true freshman for the Crusaders last season, including a twenty-kill performance in the C2 semifinals against Superior. Gracie is young, but she already looks like an impact player at GICC for the next three years.
Other Names to Watch:
Haley Fleischman – 6’0 DS – Overton – Class of 2021
Aspen Rusher Aspen Rusher 5'10" | MB Kearney | 2021 State NE – 5’10 S – Kearney – Class of 2021
Cordelia Harbison Cordelia Harbison 5'10" | OH Lexington | 2022 State NE – 5’10 OH – Lexington – Lexington SWAT – Class of 2022
Macey Bosard Macey Bosard 5'11" | OH Grand Island Northwest | 2022 State NE – 5’11 OH – Grand Island Northwest – Class of 2022
Carly Purdy Carly Purdy 6'0" | OH North Platte | 2023 State NE – 6’0 OH – North Platte – Class of 2023
Evan Glade Evan Glade 5'11" | OH Millard West | 2023 State NE – 5’11 OH – Grand Island Central Catholic – Nebraska Juniors 16-1 – Class of 2023