The Nebraska High School Basketball All-State Project - Saluting 1997

This was the first year the Wild Card system was implemented in Nebraska basketball. Chadron took full advantage of the new format by claiming the Class B state championship as a wild card entry.

The Wild card system, although a different format now, is still used in determining what teams qualify for the State basketball tournament.

*Class D-2:*

Quarterfinals:

(22-0) Shickley 67, Nebraska City Lourdes 39 (9-11)

(14-5) Litchfield 61, Lodgepole 32 (15-6)

(16-7) Dodge 61, Filley 52 (20-4)

(20-3) Loomis 57, Greeley 44 (14-8)

Semifinals:

(23-0) Shickley 46, Litchfield 36 (15-5)

(17-7) Dodge 64, Loomis 49 (21-3)

Finals:

(24-0) Shickley 61, Dodge 52 (18-7)

D-2 Champion: Shickley (25-0) - Head Coach: Dan Sorge, Asst: Garold Larson

*The D-2 All-Tournament team: Kevin Anderson (6-3, Sr.), Kory Koch (6-1, Jr.) of Shickley, Cory Eikmeier (5-8, Sr.), Nick Hnke (6-4, Jr.) of Dodge, and Luke Kucera(6-3, Sr.) - Litchfield.

*The tournament scoring leader was Shickley’s Kevin Anderson with a 3 game total of just 46 points. Anderson had scoring outputs of 16, 11 and 19 points to reach that total. Cory Eikmeier, who smashed every conceivable 8-Man football record there was, was second with 43 points in three games. Defense was the rule in this Class D-2 State Tournament, with only one player able to score 20 points in a single game. Anderson’s teammate Kory Koch hit 20 in the Longhorn’s 46-36 semifinal win over Giltner.

*In the D-2 final, Shickley had to contend with a very physical Dodge basketball team that was coming off three straight 8-Man football championships. This Dodge team basically played “highly skilled” football on the hardwood and did it well. The Pirates had their way for 2 and a half quarters before Shickley cut off the physical Dodge team’s inside game.

Shickley’s offense also heated up in the second half, canning 9 of its first 11 shots, including 5 of 6 in their game clinching run. Kevin Anderson’s 19 tallies led the way for the Longhorns, while Matt Swartzendruber and Mitch Lichti added 13 apiece. Junior Nathan Spurling was a force at the charity stripe in the 4th quarter, hitting 6 of 8, as Shickley outscored Dodge 19-16 to take the 61-52 victory.

Cory Eikmeier and Brian Pieper each had 14 to lead Dodge.

“D-2 Tournament Tidbit” - Matt Swartzendruber, currently the head basketball coach at Sandy Creek, may remember this. If you recall, Shickley fell just short in 1996, losing to 26-0 Filley in the D-2 finals. So Longhorn head coach Dan Sorge made sure the Shickley fellas were happy the night before this year’s finals versus Dodge. He took the team to Misty’s in Lincoln that Friday night and fed them big cuts of prime rib, crab legs, plus $41 in cheese sticks, racking up a bill of $551.26.

Apparently that did the trick as the ‘Horns not only won the hardware, but finished a perfect 25-0.

*Class D-1:*

Quarterfinals:

(18-5) Johnson-Brock 82, Culbertson 77 (21-1)

(19-3) Newman Grove 53, Bertrand 46 (20-1)

(22-1) Pleasanton 77, Deshler 71 (16-6)

(21-2) Mead 65, Paxton 37 (20-2)

Semifinals:

(19-5) Johnson-Brock 67, Newman Grove 62 (20-3)

(23-1) Pleasanton 78, Mead 62 (22-2)

Finals:

(20-5) Johnson-Brock 76, Pleasanton 57 (24-2)

D-1: Johnson-Brock (21-5). Head Coach: Dan Vahle, Asst; David Bane

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; State champion Johnson-Brock placed two players on the “dream team”, 6-3 junior Clint Swanson and Kurt Ottemann, a 6-2 sophomore. Runner-up Pleasanton also had a pair in 6-8 senior Jason Brown and his classmate, 6-1 Craig Stengel. The 5th player was Culbertson’s Brian Wilson (5-11, Sr.)

*The D-1 Tournament scoring contest was a runaway for Pleasanton’s 6-8 Jason Brown, who ripped the cords for 80 points in three games (33, 19, 28 points). Clint Swanson of Johnson-Brock was a distant second, with 55 points in three outings.

*The D-1 championship game was a matter of earning respect for Johnson-Brock, who was unranked coming into the Tournament. The Eagles trailed Pleasanton 3 times early, but went on a 17-6 run in the first quarter to take a 22-13 lead after one quarter of play. The smothering Johnson-Brock full court pressure forced 21 Pleasanton turnovers, at least 5 in each quarter, as the much quicker Eagles swept to a 76-57 romp over the slower Bulldogs. Junior star Clint Swanson led the Eagles with 21 points, 16 rebounds, 6 steals and a blocked shot. I assume Swanson was the Player of the Game. Ya think?

*Class C-2:*

Quarterfinals:

(17-6) West Point Central Catholic 58, Plainview 55 (21-1)

(20-3) Wahoo Neumann 67, Grant 49 (18-4)

(25-0) Tecumseh 68, Hastings St. Cecilia 61 (12-12)

(18-4) Doniphan 91, Homer 80 (20-3)

Semifinals:

(21-3) Wahoo Neumann 65, West Point Central Catholic 46 (18-6)

(26-0) Tecumseh 71, Doniphan 56 (12-12)

Finals:

(27-0) Tecumseh 50, Wahoo Neumann 41 (22-3)

C-2 Champion: Tecumseh (28-0) Head Coach: Chris Hutt, Asst: Kim Vrtiska, Kirk Faris

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team had three players from State Champion Tecumseh and rightly so. Seniors Matt Davison (he had hair then), 6-2 Danny Theis and 6-3 junior Bart Sova were named, plus Chris Jewell of Doniphan (6-5, Sr.) and 5-8 Wahoo Neumann junior, Bil Johnson.

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring title went to Matt Davison, despite being held to just 9 points in the title game with Neumann. Davison had games of 22 and 31 and 9, to total 62 for the Tournament. Matt’s classmate Danny Theis, along with Bill Johnson of Wahoo Neumann each had 53 to tie for second most tournament points..

In the Class C-2 Championship game, the good news was that Wahoo Neumann pulled off a major defensive gem by shutting down Tecumseh star Matt Davison to NO field goals. Davison, who averaged 25.3 ppg coming into the contest, went 0 for 8 from the field, including misfiring on 6 shots from beyond the arc. The bad news was that Bart Sova (20 points) and Danny Theis combined for 36 points to pick up the Davison slack, enroute to Tecumseh’s 50-41 win over Neumann..

A 14-7 second quarter advantage helped the Indians to the victory, although Neumann closed the gap to 40-37 with 4:24 left in the game. The Cavs had a chance to edge even closer, but the All-State Matt Davison came up with a steal and score to help cement the win. Tecumseh forced 16 Cavalier turnovers in the game, 10 of which were steals. Bill Johnson was the only Neumann player in double figures with 12 tallies.

*Class C-1*:

Quarterfinals:

(18-4) David City Aquinas 70, Wood River 64 (18-5)

(12-7) Omaha Flanagan 62, Hartington Cedar Catholic 58 (24-0)

(20-3) St. Paul 60, Albion 57 (17-5)

(14-8) Syracuse 70, Kimball 58 (20-2)

Semifinals:

(19-4) David City Aquinas 69, Omaha Flanagan 55 (13-7)

(21-3) St. Paul 49, Syracuse 42 (15-8)

Finals:

(20-4) David City Aquinas 53, St. Paul 41 (18-7)

C-1 Champion: David City Aquinas (21-4). Head Coach: Kevin Scheef, Asst: John Svec, Tony Smith

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team: Jason Campbell (6-9, Sr.) and Brian Samek (5-11, Sr.) David City Aquinas, Neil Wardyn (6-5,,Sr.) - St Paul, Obdoo Walker - Omaha Flanagan (6-1, Jr.) and Craig Wortmann-Hartington CC (6-3, Sr.)

The C-1 tournament scoring crown was snared by St. Paul’s outstanding Neil Wardyn, who scored 66 points in three games. Neil’s 32 point outburst against Albion in the opening round, was the single game high in the C-2 Tournament. Aquinas big guy, Jason Campbell had a 3 game total of 53 to rank second in the C-2 carnival.

The C-1 championship game was all about Aquinas showing the state they were not only a football powerhouse, but a basketball force as well. The Monarchs quickness may have worn down St. Paul in the final quarter, but the Wildcats did not go down without a fight.

The two squads were all square at 32 after three quarters, but a driving layup plus an “and one” by Jason Campbell and a steal and score by Brian Samek, put Aquinas ahead to stay, 37-32 with 6:05 left in the contest.

Kevin Scheef’s Monarchs converted 10-14 free throws in the final minute and 45 seconds, to pull away from St. Paul and post a 53-41 victory and Aquinas first ever State basketball title. Campbell led the Monarchs with 15 points, while Brian Samek scored 14 on five of seven shooting from the field. St. Paul’s splendid Neil Wardyn was only able to get off 9 shots, making 5 of those, plus four free throws for 15 game total of points.

*Class B:*

Quarterfinals:

(17-4) Chadron 60, Hastings 51 (17-3)

(15-7) Elkhorn 47, Fairbury 45 (19-2)

(18-2) Gering 68, Schuyler 56 (15-6)

(17-5) Beatrice 52, Ralston 49 (21-3)

Semifinals:

(18-4) Chadron 53, Elkhorn 53 (16-7) {Overtime}

(19-2) Gering 70, Beatrice 56 (18-5)

Finals:

(19-4) Chadron 58, Gering 42 (20-2)

Class B Champion: Chadron (20-4). Head Coach: Jim English, Asst: Cody Gamble

*The Class B All-Tournament Team consisted of a pair of Chadron seniors, 6-4 Ben Smith and 6-2 Jesse Wood, Brian Judy, a 6-4 Gering senior, 6-3 Elkhorn junior Kyle Ringenberg and 6-6 Beatrice sophomore, Derek Paben.

*The Tournament scoring title went to Jesse Wood of Chadron, who edged classmate Ben Smith 46-43 in their three games in Lincoln. No player hit the 20 point mark in the 1997 Class B state tournament.

*The Class B final was simply a continuance of the awesome defense Chadron displayed in the upset of #1 Hastings in the opening round of the Class B State Tournament. The Cardinals, who had split two games during the regular season with Gering, took a 19-16 first quarter lead and never relinquished it.

Chadron, who shot a modest 43% from the field in the championship game, managed to get 11 more shots from the field and 7 more free throws than Gering during the title game. Couple that with the Cardinals forcing 16 Gering turnovers, and it all added up to the Chadron 58-47 win over the 20-3 Bulldogs.

Ben Smith and Jesse Wood each scored 18 points to lead the Jim English coached Cardinals, while Joel Janecek paced Gering with 13 points. Brian Judy chipped in 12 points for the Bulldogs.

At the time, this game matched the farthest west teams ever in state tournament championship history.

*Class A:*

Quarterfinals:

(12-7) Columbus 59, Papillion La Vista 46 (17-5)

(13-8) Lincoln East 44, Grand Island 42 (17-4)

(12-9) Lincoln High 51, Omaha Central 46 (18-4)

(15-5) Lincoln Northeast 66, Omaha North 60 (14-7)

Semifinals:

(14-8) Lincoln East 46, Columbus 37 (13-7)

(16-5) Lincoln Northeast 84, Lincoln High 62 (13-9)

Finals:

(17-5) Lincoln Northeast 66, Lincoln East 48 (15-8) (Threepeat for Lincoln NE)

Class A Champion: Lincoln Northeast (18-5). Head Coach: Rick Collura, Asst: Rex Mercer, Pat Gatzemeyer, Dan Noble, Joe Scherr

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of Lincoln NE juniors Mike Hahn (6-7) and Amon Helmstadter (5-10), Derek Hose-Lincoln East (6-6 senior), Brian Buchanan-Lincoln High (6-1, Jr) and Kelly Berglund of Columbus (6-6, Sr.)

*Tournament scoring honors went to the Rockets Mike Hahn, who scored 54 points in Northeast’s three game set. Lincoln High’s Buchanan scored 44 points in just two games to take runner-up honors. Buchanan’s 27 points in the Links 84-62 semifinal loss to Lincoln NE was the single game high scoring output in the Class A tournament.

*The All Class/All-Tournament Team consisted of Amon Helmstadter and Mike Hahn of Lincoln NE, Bryan Buchanan-Lincoln High, Jesse Wood-Chadron and Matt Davison of Tecumseh.

*The Class A championship game was a story of too much Mike Hahn, Amon Helmstadter, and Tee Mason for Lincoln East. After the Spartans answered an opening basket by Hahn to tie the game at 2-2, Helmstadter and Hahn went to work, propelling Lincoln NE to a 16-1 run and a first quarter lead of 22-8.

The closest the Spartans could get was 54-40 with 4:22 left in the game, but it was junior Amon Helmstadter showcasing his many talents, as the Rick Collura’s Rockets swept to their 3rd straight Class A title in what would go down in history as a golden era in Lincoln NE hoops history.

The Rockets 3-headed monster of Hahn (22 points), Helmstadter (16 pts) and Tee Mason (13 pts) led the way in the 66-48 Northeast romp. Derek Hose led Lincoln East with 15 tallies. Shawn Redhage chipped in with 12 points for Ed McPherren's squad.

* * * * * * * * * *

*1997 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Anthony Harms-Filley - 5-11, Junior (23.2 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Brandon Sells-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-1, Junior (17.7 ppg/7.8 rpg)

Nolan May-Hays Center - 6-1, Senior (23.3 ppg/.6.0 rpg)

Shane Godtel-Arcadia - 6-2, Senior (27.5 ppg/11.8 rpg)

Kody Kirchhoff-Chester-Hubbell-Byron - 6-0, Senior (23.3 ppg/.6.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

Joel Jasa-Table Rock - 6-0, Senior (16.0 ppg/12.0 rpg)

Luke Kucera-Litchfield - 6-3, Senior (15.0 ppg/12.0 rpg)

Chris Isaacson-Loomis- 6-1, Senior (13.0 ppg/7.2 rpg)

Eric Wischmeier-Lewiston - 6-1, Junior (16.6 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Matt Schwartzendruber - 6-4, Senior (13.2 ppg/7.0 rpg)

*1997 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Brian Wilson-Culbertson - 5-11, Senior (30.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Jason Brown-Pleasanton - 6-8, Senior (20.2 ppg/16.9 rpg)

Travis Howell-Mead - 6-4, Senior (18.9 ppg/6.7 rpg)

Nick Krab-Paxton - 6-4, Senior (20.0 ppg/.9.0 rpg)

Scott Hansen-Coleridge - 6-7, Senior (18.5 ppg/9.1 rpg)

2nd Team:

Clint Swanson-Johnson-Brock - 6-3, Junior (15.4 ppg/6.7 rpg)

Jay Theis-Friend - 5-9, Junior (17.1 ppg/4.6 rpg)

Jeff Rohrig-Friend - 6-3, Senior (17.6 ppg/10.7 rpg)

Kevin Loontjer-Lincoln Lutheran - 6-4, Junior (19.6 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Chad Eichenberger-Nemaha Valley - 6-5, Senior (16.1 ppg/11.2 rpg)

*1997 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Matt Davison-Tecumseh*** - 6-2, Sr. (25.6 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Kevin Lingenfelter-Plainview - 6-2, Sr. (21.8 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Zak Kennedy-Stanton - 6-4, Senior (20.9 ppg/8.3 rpg)

Bil Johnson-Wahoo Neumann - 5-8, Junior (18.7 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Chris Jewell-Doniphan - 6-5, Senior (15.0 ppg/9.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

Zach Kassebaum-Hebron - 6-2, Junior (19.5 ppg/9.1 rpg)

Simon VanBoening -Sandy Creek- 6-2, Senior (15.5 ppg/7.2 rpg)

Jim Hogeland-Alma - 6-6, Senior (19.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Adam Pomajzl-Wahoo Neumann - 6-1, Senior (16.7 ppg/8.1 rpg)

Danny Theis-Tecumseh - 6-2, Senior (15.0 ppg/2.7 rpg)

*1997 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Jeff Riley-Grand Island Central Catholic 5-9, Senior (30.8 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Neil Wardyn-St. Paul** - 6-5, Senior (17.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Clete Samson-Valley - 6-0, Sophomore (23.2 ppg/8.3 rpg)

Jason Campbell-David City Aquinas - 6-0, Senior (17.2 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Brent Klassen-Kimball - 6-7, Senior (18.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jake Smith-Elkhorn Mt. Michael - 6-2, Senior (15.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Jim Sullivan-Raymond Central - 5-10, Senior (21.2 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Craig Wortman-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-3, Sophomore (15.5 ppg/7.9 rpg)

Calvin Strong-Omaha Flanagan - 6-1, Senior (24.0 ppg/5.6 rpg)

Jim Koontz-Hershey - 6-5, Senior (23.4 ppg/10.0 rpg)

*1997 Class B All-State Team*

John Beerbohm-Fairbury - 6-6, Senior (22.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Tim Streitwieser-Ralston - 6-6, Senior (19.3 ppg/9.3 rpg)

Jesse Wood-Chadron - 6-2, Senior (18.6 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Josh Meyer-Omaha Roncalli - 6-6, Senior (17.7 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Matt Sporcic-Omaha Gross - 6-0, Senior (18.0 ppg/2.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jeremy Folkerts-Beatrice - 6-5, Senior (13.0 ppg/6.5 rpg)

John McMenamin-Elkhorn - 6-3, Junior (14.5 ppg/3.9 rpg)

Travis Wachal-Schuyler - 6-3, Senior (16.7 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Brian Judy-Gering - 6-4, Senior (19.9 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Kyle Yost-Hastings - 6-5, Senior (15.0 ppg/6.0 rpg)

*1997 Class A All-State Team:

Amon Helmstadter-Lincoln Northeast** - 5-10, Junior (15.0 ppg/3.9 rpg)

Galen Morrison-Omaha Central - 6-0, Senior (24.5 ppg/5.9 rpg)

Mike Hahn-Lincoln Northeast - 6-7, Junior (16.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Cody Levinson-Grand Island - 6-2, Junior (20.7 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Ryan Means-Lincoln East - 6-8, Senior (26.5 ppg/10.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Mike Muma-Papillion La Vista - 6-2, Senior (18.1 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Will Perkins-Omaha South - 6-7, Senior (22.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Joey Maggett-Omaha North - 6-5, Senior (14.9 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Terrance Jackson-Omaha Bryan - 5-11, Senior (22.2 ppg/3.3 rpg)

James Perez-North Platte - 5-8, Senior (19.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

*1997 Super-State 1st Team:

Matt Davison-Tecumseh*** - 6-2, Sr. (25.6 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Jeff Riley-Grand Island Central Catholic 5-9, Senior (30.8 ppg/8.0 rpg)

John Beerbohm-Fairbury - 6-6, Senior (22.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Galen Morrison-Omaha Central - 6-0, Senior (24.5 ppg/5.9 rpg)

Mike Hahn-Lincoln Northeast - 6-7, Junior (16.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

*1997 Super-State 2nd Team:

Amon Helmstadter-Lincoln Northeast** - 5-10, Junior (15.0 ppg/3.9 rpg)

Cody Levinson-Grand Island - 6-2, Junior (20.7 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Ryan Means-Lincoln East - 6-8, Senior (18.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Mike Muma-Papillion La Vista - 6-2, Senior (18.1 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Terrance Jackson-Omaha Bryan - 5-11, Senior (22.2 ppg/3.3 rpg)

*1997 Super-State 2nd Team:

Will Perkins-Omaha South - 6-7, Senior (22.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Joey Maggett-Omaha North - 6-5, Senior (14.9 ppg/6.2 rpg)

Tim Streitwieser-Ralston - 6-6, Senior (19.3 ppg/9.3 rpg)

Jesse Wood-Chadron - 6-2, Senior (18.6 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Bil Johnson-Wahoo Neumann - 5-8, Junior (18.7 ppg/6.1 rpg)