The Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 2005

*Boys basketball had six classes in 2004-05. Each class qualified eight teams for the Boys State Basketball Tournament held on March 10, 11, and 12, 2005, 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 Southeast were the wild-card teams for Class A. Norris and Lincoln Pius X 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 Boone Central. North Platte St. Patrick’s and West Point Central Catholic were the C2 wild cards. In D1, Lewiston and Dodge received the wild cards. Sargent and Wallace were the D2 wild-card winners. Paid attendance: 91,354.

*Class D-2:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Sargent (Mike Kozeal); Lindsay Holy Family (Bob Schnitzler); Wallace (Troy Schimer); Wynot (Lee Heimes); Stapleton (Matthew Brown); Loomis (Steve Johnson); Ewing (Greg Appleby); Bruning-Davenport (Fred Kluck).

Quarterfinals:

(22-4) Bruning-Davenport 45, Sargent 31 (20-4)

(20-3) Lindsay Holy Family 50, Wynot 38 (13-8)

(22-1) Loomis 98, Stapleton 52 (16-6)

(23-1) Ewing 58, Wallace 45 (18-3)

Semifinals:

(21-3) Lindsay Holy Family 46, Bruning-Davenport 40 (23-4)

(23-1) Loomis 59, Ewing 55 (24-1)

Finals:

(22-3) Lindsay Holy Family 56, Loomis 53 (24-1)

D-2 Champion: Lindsay Holy Family (25-1) - Head Coach: Bob Schnitzler Asst: John Wiese

*The D-2 All-Tournament team: Casey Bender*-Lindsay Holy Family (6-6, Sr.), Spencer Holman-Bruning-Davenport (6-2, Sr.), Drew Billeter*-Loomis (6-1, Sr..), Jerry Klassen-Lindsay Holy Family (6-3, Sr.), Lance Thorell-Loomis (6-1, Soph.)

*The Class D-2 tournament scoring title went to Casey Bender of Lindsay Holy Family, who had games of 24, 9 and 21 points for a three day total of 53. Casey had an outstanding championship game with 21 points and 16 boards, as Holy Family out battled Loomis 56-53 for the D-2 crown. Loomis star Drew Billeter (22, 10, 13 points) and Bruning-Davenport’s Spencer Holman each had 46 tournament points to tie for the runner-up spot. It took only two games for Holman to hit his 46 points. The B/D star scored nearly half his team’s points in their 45-31 opening round conquest of Sargent. He then had over half the points when he buried 24 in BD’s 46-40 semifinal loss to Holy Family.

*The Class D-2 final: It was a rematch of the 2004 D-2 Final, a game that lingered in the minds of every Lindsay Holy Family player all season long and into this 2005 clash with Loomis. The Wolves beat up on the Bulldogs a year ago to the tune of 87-58, but 6-6 Casey Bender and the Holy Family boys were coming off a state football championship and knew just what had to be done to make it a double-double. It was a work of art for crafty old coach Bob Schnitzler and the Bulldogs…….except for a 3rd quarter that nearly lifted Loomis to their 2nd title in a row.

Holy Family sprinted to a commanding 41-25 halftime advantage over the high scoring Wolves (74.8/ppg), riding Bender’s 15 first half points and Jerry Klassen’s nine more tallies. Klassen’s 25 foot shot at the halftime buzzer seemed to put a stamp on the ‘Dogs dominance. Then came the disastrous third.

Two-time all-stater Drew Billiter fueled a third quarter comeback I will never, ever forget. The senior wizard scored 9 points as Loomis outscored Lindsay Holy Family 25-4, smothering and choking the Dogs with their pressure defense. And the Wolves were doing something they didn’t do in the first two quarters. Rebound.

Loomis actually took a 50-45 lead into the money quarter, but Schnitzler had a trick up his sleeve. It was a seldom utilized 1-2-2 defensive alignment used only 3 times during the regular season...against toughies Dodge and Howells. Worked like a charm. You must remember Bob Schnitzler’s Battle Creek girls won five Class C-1 state championships in the ‘80’s, including four straight from 1984 to 1987, so the man knew his stuff.

Holy Family forced Loomis into an 0-12 shooting slump from the floor, outscoring the Wolves 11-3 in that all important 4th quarter, securing a Class D-2 state title, 56-53.

Casey Bender led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Drew Billiter paced Loomis with 14 points, as the Wolves suffered through an 18 for 67 shooting nightmare (26.8%) from the field for the game.

*Class D-1:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach) Scribner-Snyder (Pat Danklau); Wauneta-Palisade (Dave Kuhlen); Humphrey St. Francis (Eric Kessler); Spencer-Naper (Jim Carlson); Lewiston (Matt Rudloff); Pleasanton (Randy Bauer); Falls City Sacred Heart (Doug Goltz); Dodge (Jim Daro)

Quarterfinals:

(20-5) Falls City Sacred Heart 64, Lewiston 44 (20-5)

(20-3) Pleasanton 61, Dodge 60 (16-4)

(17-4) Wauneta-Palisade 62, Spencer-Naper 46 (21-3)

(13-9) Humphrey St. Francis 54, Scribner-Snyder 33 (20-3)

Semifinals:

(21-3) Pleasanton 54, Falls City Sacred Heart 49 (21-5)

(14-9) Humphrey St. Francis 70, Wauneta-Palisade 63 (18-4)

Finals:

(22-3) Pleasanton 70, Humphrey St. Francis 48 (15-9)

D-1: (23-3) Pleasanton; Head Coach: Randy Bauer. Asst: Bill Giffin, Jason Trummer.

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; Gabe Zwiener-Pleasanton (6-11, Sr), Kyle Cruise-Pleasanton (6-2, Sr.), Andrew Isom-Wauneta-Palisade (6-4, Soph.), Jeremy Ruzek-Dodge (6-0, Sr.) and Ben Tasa-Humphrey St. Francis (6-4, Jr.)

*The D-1 Tournament scoring title was easily captured by Pleasanton’s giant 6-11 Gabe Zwiener, who scored 66 points (22, 15, 29 points). Zwiener could not be stopped in the D-1 title game where he nearly pulled off a rare triple-double. The 6-11 Bulldog star scored 29 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked 7 shots in Pleasanton’s 70-48 route of Humphrey St. Francis. St. Francis Dan Wegener was 2nd leading scorer with 38 points (11, 18, 9 points)

*The D-1 championship game: It was the Gabe Zwiener show in the D-1 final, as the 6-11 senior scored 29 points, pulled down 15 boards, swatted 7 shots and dished out a pair of assists in the Bulldogs runaway 70-48 win over a fine Humphrey St. Francis squad.

Credit the guard play of Pleasanton’s Kyle Cruise and Justin Epley, for not only taking the pressure off Zwiener with their scoring runs, but also also having the ability to overcome an Eric Kessler (St. Frans head coach) defense designed to prevent them from getting the ball to their 6-11 giant, Gabe Zwiener.

Pleasanton led 18-14 after one and 30-21 at the half, but a 24-14 scoring advantage over the Flyers in the 3rd stanza put it away for head coach Jim Bauer and the Pleasanton boys.

A pair of late season losses to Loomis may have been instrumental in convincing Pleasanton that they were a better team than that. It certainly came to fruition, as the Bulldogs won their last 8 games of the season on their way to a Class D-1 title.

*Class C-2:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Fullerton (Jim Tarnick); Bridgeport (David Baxter); West Point Central Catholic (Duane Mendlik); Ravenna (Paul Beranek); Louisville (Stan Hendricks); Wisner-Pilger (Marty Gilson); Wakefield (Mike Clay); North Platte St. Pats (Kevin Burback)

Quarterfinals:

(24-0) Ravenna 68, Fullerton 62 (13-9)

(17-6) West Point Central Catholic 70, Wisner-Pilger 61 (23-2)

(18-7) Wakefield 52, Bridgeport 50 (21-0)

(20-2) North Platte St. Pats 71, Louisville 64 (21-2)

Semifinals:

(25-0) Ravenna 68, West Point Central Catholic 43 (18-6)

(19-7) Wakefield 51, North Platte St. Pats 45 (21-2)

Finals:

(26-0) Ravenna 66, Wakefield 28 (20-7)

C-2 Champion: Ravenna (27-0); Head Coach: Paul Beranek. Asst: Tony Schirmer, Randy Basnett, Brent Gehring, Dan Bolling.

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team (which included 4 Juniors) was: Drake Beranek-Ravenna (6-4, Jr.), Tyler Cyboron-Ravenna (5-11, Jr.), James Habe-Ravenna (5-11, Jr..), Cory Gustafson-Wakefield (6-2, Jr.), Josh Kramer-North Platte St. Pats (6-2, Sr.).

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring title race ended up being a runaway when Ravenna junior Drake Beranek scorched the nets for 82 points in the Bluejays three day run to the C-2 state championship. The sharpshooting son of head coach Paul Beranek had games of 30, 28 and 24 points to outdistance teammate Tyler Cyboron, who scored 49 points. Cybo had games of 19, 12 and 18 points in three days including a 4-8 performance from beyond the arc in the C-2 title game.

*The Class C-2 Championship game: Unranked and 20-8 Wakefield played the role of David during the first two rounds of the C-2 state tournament, knocking off a pair of Goliaths in 2nd rated Bridgeport and 5th rated North Platte St. Pats. But David’s rock was nowhere to be found in the Finals and the biggest Goliath of them all, disguised as Ravenna, crushed Wakefield’s glass slipper into tiny sparkling slivers, as Paul Beranek’s Bluejays sped to a crushing 66-28 victory. The 38 point win was the biggest margin of victory in a Final since Class C-2 was created in 1984.

Junior sensation, and now Kearney High head coach Drake Beranek poured in 24 points, Tyler Cyboron added 18, while inside force Josh Luth was scoring 12 points and snaring 11 rebounds in the route. The Ravenna defensive pressure was so overpowering that Wakefield managed only single digit scoring in each the first three quarters.

Drake Beranek recorded a 3 point play five seconds into the game to set the tone for his Dad’s team. Although Wakefield’s Cory Gustafson answered that a few moments later, the Bluejays would then shut them down, sending the Trojans on a 10 and a half minute scoring drought that saw 0-13 shooting from the field.

Wakefield’s shooting woes continued into the 3rd quarter, as the Trojans misfired on their first 5 shots. In fact, the Trojans were held without a field goal for 13:11, including the entire 3rd quarter that saw Ravenna build a 48-13 advantage. It obviously was a resounding win for Ravenna, but what gets lost in the shuffle is Wakefield’s rebound from a 5-4 mark during the season, making it all the way to a C-2 final at Bob Devaney Sports Center.

*Class C-1*:

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Adams Central (Jim LaMaster); Syracuse (Mark Hrabik); Wahoo Neumann (Mike Weiss); Kearney Catholic (Donny Leiss); Boys Town (Tom Krehbiel); Boone Central (Charles Perone); Grand Island Central Catholic (Bill Gavers); Norfolk Catholic (Shane Anderson)

Quarterfinals:

(17-8) Grand Island Central Catholic 46, Adams Central 34 (18-5)

(21-3) Wahoo Neumann 71, Norfolk Catholic 56 (15-8)

(20-3) Boone Central 69, Boys Town 54 (17-6)

(21-2) Syracuse 58, Kearney Catholic 43 (17-7)

Semifinals:

(22-3) Wahoo Neumann 32, Grand Island Central Catholic 31 (18-8)

(22-2) Syracuse 64, Boone Central 51 (21-3)

Finals:

(23-2) Syracuse 55, Wahoo Neumann 46 (23-3)

C-1 Champion: Syracuse (24-2). Head Coach: Mark Hrabik, Asst: Paul Mulcahy, Trevor Hoegh.

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team: Kenny Howard-Grand Island Central Catholic (6-11, Sr.), Casey Schrader-Syracuse (6-4, Jr.), Aaron Brandt-Wahoo Neumann (6-4, Jr.), Seth Flanagan- Boone Central (6-3, Sr.,), Patrick Lechner-Syracuse (6-0, Jr.).

*The C-1 tournament scoring crown went to Syracuse senior leader Casey Schrader, who was the only player to hit double figures in all three of his tournament outings. The 6-4 junior dandy scored 19, 13 and 16 points to run away with the scoring crown (48 points). Schrader’s nearest competitor was the phenomenal Aaron Brandt of Bishop Neumann, who scored 33 points (12, 6, 15).

*The C-1 championship game: The top rated Cavaliers came out doing what they did all season, putting 20 points on the board in the opening quarter…...with 1:35 still showing on the clock. Game in jeopardy. Nope. Not when you have Mark Hrabik coaching down the out-of-bounds line from you. Hrabik switched his Syracuse defense from a 1-3-1 Neumann-like appearance to a 2-3 zone after the Cavaliers opening quarter outburst. The result? Syracuse held Wahoo Neumann toa meager 26 points the rest of the way. Talk about a defense working.

As I stated, Syracuse actually began the game with the same defense Neumann runs, the 1-3-1. After the Cavaliers built that 20-7 lead, buoyed by 11 points (3 treys) from sensational junior Aaron Brandt, Hrabik employed that 2-3 scheme, which enabled the Rockets to cover the corners and shut off the 3 point shots. It also plugged up the paint, which Neumann had exploited in the 1st quarter.

6-4 all-state player Casey Schrader ended up leading Syracuse with 16 points, igniting the comeback in the 2nd period with his 7 tallies. The Rockets took the lead for good at 38-37 with just 6 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, on their way to the 55-46 win. Scott Hrabik, son of coach Mark, had a hand in sealing the Class C-1 title win with his six straight 4th quarter free throws and crisp assists.

You think Mark Hrabik may have had a good luck charm of some sort on his person during the game? You can bet on that. Check this out.

Mark just happen to have the Gold Medal from his State Champion Louisville team that bested Grant 48-47 in the 1975 Class C championship game. It was clutch free throws by the elder Hrabik that sealed the win toward the tale end of that 1975 title game. You think Coach Hrabik wasn’t rubbing that gold piece in his pocket when son Scott was shooting those game clinching 4th quarter free throws? That would be a yes.

Aaron Brandt was the only player in double figures for Bishop Neumann with his 15 points.

*Class B:*

*Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Gretna (Brad Feeken); Norris (Curt Carlson); Holdrege (Jerry Buck); Gering (Jay Ehler); Lincoln Pius X (Ray Forycki); Elkhorn Mt Michael (Jim Mayberger); Beatrice (Jim Weeks); Aurora (Mike Herzberg).

Quarterfinals:

(21-1) Elkhorn Mt. Michael 63, Gretna 45 (14-7)

(15-3) Lincoln Pius X 53 57, Aurora 34 (18-4)

(17-5) Norris 60, Gering 45 (23-2)

(21-0) Beatrice 47, Holdrege 38 (15-7)

Semifinals:

(22-1) Elkhorn Mt. Michael 66, Lincoln Pius X 55 (16-3)

(22-0) Beatrice 47, Norris 38, (18-5)

Finals:

(23-0) Beatrice 54, Elkhorn Mt. Michael 49 (23-1)

Class B Champion: Beatrice (24-0). Head Coach: Jimmy Weeks. Asst: Jim Stuart, Ben Essam, Jeff Junker, Jim Edwards, Arnie Cerny, Nick Simmons.

*The Class B All-Tournament Team: Ryan Moore-Beatrice (6-0, Sr.), Ben Suing-Elkhorn Mt. Michael (6-0, Sr.), Ben Suing-Elkhorn Mt. Michael (6-0, Sr.), Danny Deaver-Norris (6-4, Sr.); Michael Millard-Lincoln Pius X (6-0, Sr.).

*The Class B State Tournament scoring leader was Ben Suing of Elkhorn Mt. Michael, who was a model of consistency throughout the Class B tournament. Ben had games of 22, 21 and 22 points to win the “B” scoring race with 65 points. Ryan Moore of Class B state champion Beatrice was 10 points in Ben Suing’s rear view with 55 points (15, 19, 21 pts).

*The Class B final: Jimmy Weeks, you sly dog. Beatrice, with that patient offense and pestering defense, turned back an upstart Elkhorn Mount Michael team 54-49 to cap a perfect 24-0 season and claim their 3rd Class B title in the past 8 years. Mt. Michael, who raised up from Class C-1 to Class B for the 2004/2005 season, made it to the championship game by upsetting a terrific Lincoln Pius X basketball team 66-55 in the semis.

The Orangemen had a tough time making the Knights go away in this one, despite building a 37-29 lead on Andy Hibbert’s 3 pointer to open the 4th quarter. But the hero of the game for Beatrice in that final quarter surely had to be masterful Ryan Moore, who drove to the hoop three times, connecting on a layup and 4 charity tosses, to stretch the lead to 47-35.

Moore led Beatrice with his 22 points but that Jim Weeks “D” also did a great job denying the inside pass to Mt. Mike’s 6-5, 300 pound Cole Bunner. You also have to remember Jim Mayberger had the Suing twins back for the 2005 campaign, so limiting the Knights scoring was not an easy task. Ben and Blake Suing, along with Ryan Moore, made up 60% of the Class B All-State team.

Ben Suing matched Ryan Moore’s 22 point output to lead Mt. Michael in scoring.

*Class A:*

Tournament Qualifiers/(head coach): Bellevue West (Doug Woodard); Creighton Prep (Josh Luedtke); Lincoln Northeast (Steve Bartek); Lincoln Southeast (Jeff Smith); Omaha Central (Eric Behrens); Omaha Bryan (Tim Cannon); Omaha Northwest (Jeff Stallworth); Grand Island (Dave Oman).

Quarterfinals:

(15-6) Creighton Prep 41, Lincoln Southeast 33 (19-3)

(21-2) Omaha Central 72, Omaha Northwest 58 (11-10)

(24-1) Bellevue West 70, Grand Island 48 (9-13)

(19-3) Lincoln Northeast 88, Omaha Bryan 76 (18-4)

Semifinals:

(16-6) Creighton Prep 68, Omaha Central 59 (22-2)

(25-1) Bellevue West 70, Lincoln Northeast 58 (20-3)

Finals:

(26-1) Bellevue West 67, Creighton Prep 59 (17-6)

Class A Champion: Bellevue West (27-1). Head Coach: Doug Woodard. Asst: Steve Willet, Troy Wharton, Jim Buswell, Jon Mauro.

*The Class “A” All-Tournament Team; Josh Dotzler*-Bellevue West (6-1, Sr.), Zach Potter-Creighton Prep (6-7, Sr.), Jake Meyer-Bellevue West (6-5, Sr.), Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast (6-0, Jr.), Danilo Pavicevic-Lincoln Northeast (6-4, Jr.).

*Class A Tournament scoring honors went to BJ Valentine of Omaha Central, who erupted for 31 big ones in the Eagles opening round 72-58 win over 11-10 Omaha Northwest. The Eagles were eliminated in the semifinals by Creighton Prep, and despite Valentine being held to 14 points in the contest, his two day total of 45 points was good enough to earn him the Class A scoring title. Andrew Bridger followed the same script to earn the runner-up slot (40 points) as the Lincoln NE star hit 28 points in the Rockets 1st round conquest of Omaha Bryan (88-76), then was held to 12 in the Rockets 70-58 semifinal loss to eventual state champion Bellevue West.

*The Class A championship game: How about that Bellevue West team winning a 2nd consecutive Class A championship with a 67-59 decision over Creighton Prep, and how about that Josh Dotzler for the Thunderbirds? Dotzler put a charge into a sluggish Bell West offense in the opening stanza with his quartet of thefts...yes, Four steals. The dude said his eyes light up whenever he sees a basketball in someone else’s hands. Prep can second that. When all the smoke cleared at The Bob, Josh Dotzler had 10 points, 10 assists and 8 steals. Do I need to tell you how close he was to a triple-double on the biggest stage of the season at the biggest house of them all? And this wasn’t against the Sisters-of-the Poor either.

It wasn’t all Bellevue West at the start though. Prep took an early 14-9 lead, primarily due to the inside play of Zach Potter and Dan Glassman. Things see-sawed back and forth until Dotzler took over on both sides of the ball, keying a 20-4 Thunderbird run that culminated in a 40-24 halftime lead for Doug Woodard’s Bellevue West troops.

Creighton Prep could never overcome that 20-4 second quarter Thunderbirds run, and the fact that Bellevue West used a 9 player rotation, subbing in 3 players at a time, didn’t help matters for the Jays either. The Waves of Purple, as Woodard termed it, simply wore Prep down, although Zach Potter played very well in the 2nd half, I thought. No surprise there. The dude was a man. Football guy, ya know.

The T-Birds had 4 players in double figures, with Jeff Martin’s 20 points leading the pack. Michael Jenkins added 11 tallies, while Dotzler and Jake Meyer each chipped in 10 apiece. Potter was the only Junior Jay in double figures, scoring 11 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

**The 2005 All-Class, All-Tournament Team was an all Class A quintet including; Josh Dotzler*-Bellevue West (6-1, Sr.), Zach Potter-Creighton Prep (6-7, Sr.), Jake Meyer-Bellevue West (6-5, Sr.), Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast (6-0, Jr.), Danilo Pavicevic-Lincoln Northeast (6-4, Jr.).

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*2005 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Drew Billetter**-Loomis - 6-1, Senior (19.7 ppg/4.5 rpg)

Casey Bender*-Lindsay Holy Family - 6-6, Senior (16.2 ppg/9.4 rpg)

Matt Hadenfeldt-Lynch - 6-1, Senior (21.7 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Jeremy Cruise-St. Edward - 5-10, Sophomore (19.4 ppg/5.5 rpg)

Kole Ficken-Bruning-Davenport - 6-1, Junior (15.4 ppg/4.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Corey Beran-Sargent - 6-3, Junior (16.0 ppg/12.1 rpg)

Ryan Rhodes-Paxton - 6-4, Junior (22.6 ppg/NA rpg)

Ryan Thramer-Ewing - 6-3, Junior (13.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Mark Christensen*-Wallace - 6-1, Senior (16.0 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Jerry Klassen-Lindsay Holy Family - 6-3, Senior (12.7 ppg/6.7 rpg)

*Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State;

Seniors: Bret Koester-Allen; Tyler Vose-Ansley; Sam Holcomb-Arcadia; Spencer Holeman-Bruning-Davenport; Jamie Tomjack-Chambers; Randy Kuszak-Elba; Jared Kruntorad, Blake Bollwitt-Ewing; Curtis Olson-Hayes Center; Gary Bestol-Hyannis; Andy Pfeifer-Lindsay Holy Family; Miles Goos-Loup County; Colby Carson-Lynch; Myles Ochsner-McCool Junction; Dale Arensdorf-McPherson County; Mike Phillips-Mullen; Alan Tikalsky-Niobrara; Jarred Jensen-North Loup-Scotia; Bryant Serres-Potter-Dix; Eric Paseka-Prague; Jacob Seeley, Reed Larsen-Sandhills; Dan Gossman-SE Consolidated; Kaleb Cruise-St. Edward; Andy Saathoff-Sterling; Neil Dvorak-Stuart; Josh Rohde, Scott Robbins-SEM; Paden Daly-Thedford; Cody Konopasek-Verdigre.

Juniors: Alex Schoenholz-Bruning-Davenport; Joe Michael-Clearwater; Brian Lassen-Elba; Anthony Blair-Elgin; Josh Weaver, J.J. Ozuna-Minatare; John John Hurley-O’Neill St. Marys; Ryan Rhodes-Paxton; Jeff Mannlein-Sargent; Mark Johnson-Wheatland.

Sophomores: Clayton Korus-Lindsay Holy Family; Lance Thorell-Loomis; Matt Hughes-North Loup-Scotia; Klay Kasselder-Wheeler Central.

*2005 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Gabe Zwiener-Pleasanton - 6-11, Senior (18.3 ppg/12.3 rpg)

Wade Vontz*-Cambridge - 6-1, Junior, (23.1 ppg/7.2 rpg)

Jeremy Kearney-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-1, Junior (16.1 ppg/3.6 rpg)

Tony Braithwait-Arapahoe - 6-3, Senior (17.9 ppg/4.1 rpg)

Andrew Isom-Wauneta-Palisade - 6-1, Sophomore (16.9 ppg/6.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jeremy Ruzek-Dodge-Dodge - 6-0, Senior (14.0 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Ben Tasa-Humphrey St. Francis - 6-4, Junior (11.3 ppg/7.9 rpg)

Joel Stryker-Callaway - 5-10, Senior (18.9 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Kyle Knoche-Lewiston - 6-0, Junior (16.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Matt Alford-Spencer-Naper - 6-2, Senior (13.0 ppg/6.7 rpg)

*Class D-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Kevin Blakeman-Anselmo-Merna; Jamie Halstead-Arnold; Marcus Anderson, Caleb Woollen-Axtell, Cole Worley-Bancroft-Rosalie, Corey Lind, Marcus Mathews-Banner County; Jordan Schwarz-Bertrand; Andrew McKinzie-Callaway; Brent Schuele-Cedar Rapids; Michael Steffensmeier-Clarkson-Leigh; Joe Henrichs-Diller-Odell; Justin Hagedorn, Rick Dirkschneider-Dodge; Collin Lutz-Dundy County; Adam Spieker-Elgin Pope John; Logan Kopf, Josh Choate-Falls City Sacred Heart; Dustin Wallman-Freeman; Lance Steele-Greeley-Wolbach; Colton Koehler-Harvard; Brent Zoucha-High Plains; Tyler Hanzlicek-Humboldt-TRS; Brady Cape-Leyton; Jake Stryker-Maxwell; Nick Nolte-Meridian; Aaron Kassulke-Nebraska Lutheran; Joe Brinkman-Nemaha Valley; Marlon White Eyes-Omaha Nation; Frank Gade-Osceola; Josh Warren-Overton; Kyle Cruise, Justin Epley-Pleasanton; Derek Meyer-Silver Lake; Joseph Mohr-Spalding/Spalding Academy; Darren Riha, Josh Kaczor-Spencer-Naper.

Juniors: Vance Jones, Josef Kasson-Amherst; Travis Sterner-Anselmo-Merna; Blake Maaske-Arapahoe; Anthony Lytle-Cambridge; Cody Wallinger-Diller-Odell; Garrett Easley-Dorchester; Clay Pelster-Elgin Pope John; Elliot Sjuts-Humphrey St. Francis; Ryan Thomas-Lewiston; Alan Wirth-Nebraska City Lourdes; Taurean Miller-Omaha Nation; Preston Blackmore, Tanner Schutt-Orchard; Mason Wood-Palmer; Jared Riessland-Pleasanton; Curtis Papkin-Scribner-Snyder; Jordan Crook-Shelby.

Sophomores: Ryan Wetovick-Eustis-Farnam; Michael Olberding-Falls City Sacred Heart; Dan Alexander-Johnson-Brock; Tim Sisko-Lewiston; Casey Beck-Scribner-Snyder; Marc Klima, Trevor Ridler-Wauneta-Palisade; Marcus Messersmith-Winside.

Freshmen: Bryson Mahlberg-Elwood; Wes Eikmeier-Fremont Bergan.

*2005 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Drake Beranek*-Ravenna - 6-2, Junior (21.2 ppg/9.4 rpg)

Tyler Cyboron-Ravenna - 5-11, Junior (17.0 ppg/2.0 rpg)

Brian Mendlik*-West Point Central Catholic - 5-8, Senior (17.6 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Travis Gunderson-Neligh-Oakdale - 6-2, Senior (16.4 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Tyler Peterson-Louisville - 5-10, Sophomore (19.3 ppg/3.3 rpg)

2nd Team:

Joe Zitek-East Butler - 6-3, Senior (18.3 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Kelly Gilson-Wisner-Pilger - 6-2, Junior (12.3 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Nathan Wieseler-North Platte St. Pats - 6-3, Senior (18.3 ppg/7.7 rpg)

Trevin Stutzman-Friend - 6-0, Senior (17.8 ppg/8.7 rpg)

Aaron Snyder-Burwell - 6-4, Senior (20.3 ppg/12.3 rpg)

*Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Jason Kort-Blue Hill; Jacob Dean, James Hadden-Bridgeport; Barry Eitzmann-Deshler; Justin Bohac-East Butler; Marcus Ande, Matt Mahler, Corey Mackling-Emerson-Hubbard; Steve Havel-Exeter-Milligan; Jon Michl-Friend; Jack Evers, Tyler Ridder-Fullerton; Kyle Krajewski-Garden County; Jeff Nodlinsky, Brent Downey-Grant; Jarryd Schieffer, Devin Stapelman-Hartington Cedar Catholic; Kyle Cech-Howells; Jeff Knudsen-Laurel-Concord; Jared Michaels-Lutheran High NE; Dexter Haskell-Lyons-Decatur NE; Cory Allen-Malcolm; Colby Schutt, Tyler Bergman-Mead; Josh Kramer-North Platte St. Pats; Blake Anderson-Randolph; Josh Luth-Ravenna; Jake Fisher, Brian Kohlmetscher-Sandy Creek; Jared Spellman-Shelton; Kody Steinhauer, Ted Ehly-Sutton; Brett Peters-Thayer Central; Taylor Peters-Wakefield; Joe Beard-Weeping Water; Jon Steuter-West Point Central Catholic; Brett Paben-Wilcox-Hildreth; Ryan Rogers-Yutan.

Juniors: Ryan Brooke-Cross County; Brady Betten-Deshler; Jeremiah-Slough-Doniphan-Trumbull; Bohuslovsky-East Butler; Mason Brodine-Elm Creek; Luke Luetchens-Elmwood-Murdock; Brett Bailer-Exeter-Milligan; Nick Eckert-Homer; Justin Sindelar, Scott Blum-Howells; Pat Deacon-Louisville; Alex Weaver-Lutheran High NE; Casey French-Malcolm; Jesse Rudloff-Neligh-Oakdale; Ryan Rudloff-Newman Grove; Jacob Brandl-North Platte St. Pats; Beau Bonness, Jacob Phillips-Omaha Brownell-Talbot; Nick Curry-Ponca; James Habe, Justin Kulwicki-Ravenna; Andrew Winscot-Southern Valley; Kyle Goracke, Aaron Gottula-Tecumseh; Cory Gustafson-Wakefield; Jack Godberson, Cody Gilson-Wisner-Pilger.

Sophomores: Lance Wilson-Grant;Chris Deans-Hemingford; John Thompson-Hitchcock County;

*2005 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Kenny Howard-Grand Island Central Catholic - 6-11, Senior (18.5 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Aaron Brandt-Wahoo Neumann - 6-4, Junior (16.2 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Luke Simons-Wahoo - 6-0, Senior (19.0 ppg/4.5 rpg)

Brian Fink-Wayne - 6-4, Senior (19.2 ppg/5.5 rpg)

Casey Schrader-Syracuse - 6-4, Junior (12.1 ppg/5.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

Blake Cover*-Kearney Catholic - 6-1, Senior (13.8 ppg/6.3 rpg)

Josh Schnitzler-Central City - 6-1, Senior (21.2 ppg/4.8 rpg)

Jason Zabka-Boone Central - 6-1, Senior (12.6 ppg/5.1 rpg)

Wes Cammack-Tri-County - 5-11, Senior (20.8 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Seth Flanagan-Boone Central - 6-3, Senior (14.4 ppg/5.0 rpg)

*Class C-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Matt Joynt-Adams Central; Adam Loftis-Arlington; Lance Galizia, Aaron Olson-Atkinson West Holt; Anthony Ritton-Auburn; Jon McManaman-Battle Creek; Tyler Shotkowski-Boone Central; Vu Nguyen-Boys Town; Corey Morris-Broken Bow; Riley Ropers-Centennial; Joe McClain-Chadron; Aaron Fuehrer-Chase County; Craig Barjenbruch, Ross Kapels-Columbus Lakeview; Andy Hadland-Columbus Scotus; Ben Borgmann-Creighton; Malachi Behrens-David City; Drew Chaney-Fillmore Central; George Viher-Gordon-Rushville; Dustin Walker-Gothenburg; Kurt Johnson-Grand Island Central Catholic; Nathan Duggins-Hastings St. Cecilia; D.J. Miller-Hershey; Alex Hickman-Kearney Catholic; T.J. Rexilius, Brandon Kavan, Jason Harms-Lincoln Christian; Adam Troester-Lincoln Lutheran; J.J. Hartung-Logan View; Dayton Daberkow-Madison; Cliff Troyer-Milford; Taylor Maulsby-Minden; Ricky Distefano, Tyler Sudbeck-Norfolk Catholic; Mark Dorcey-North Bend; Jason Eden-Raymond Central; Jordan Tuma, Ben Bargen-Superior; Nate Kreifels-Syracuse; Kyle Baade-Tri-County; Derrick Ceder-Twin River; Joe Hesse-Valentine; Brian Argintean-Valley; Adam Barry, Ben Simon-Wahoo; Tony Pleskac-Wahoo Neumann; Adam Munter-Wayne; Pat Moss-Wilber-Clatonia

Juniors: Evan Volzke-Adams Central; Dave Taylor-Ashland-Greenwood; Vio Snow-Boys Town; Drew Young-Cozad; Brian Birkel, Matt Plasek, Jared Bemis, Kyle Ellis-David City Aquinas; Lee Hullman-Falls City; Brett Peterson-Ft. Calhoun; Adam Mrozcek-Minden; Jeff Fauss-Ord; Chad Warnecke-Pierce; Justin Pecka-Raymond Central; Pat Lechner-Syracuse; Nick Andrew-Tekamah-Herman; Dustin Mammen-Tri-County; Mitch Mohr-Twin River; Nick Milliken-Wahoo; Jason Ahrens-Wahoo Neumann; Zach Egger-Wood River.

Sophomores: Jesse Carr-Ainsworth; Brett Sapp-Ashland-Greenwood; Zane Abner-Atkinson West Holt; Curtis Thompson-Battle Creek; Vince Marshall-Boys Town; Jake Johnson-Grand Island Central Catholic; Kurtis Charling-Oakland-Craig; Randy Weich-Pierce; Scott Hrabik-Syracuse; Kevin Peterson-Valentine; Logan Oliva-Wilber-Clatonia; Jake Wissing-Wood River.

Freshmen: Kyle Hilger-David City; Mike Lang-O’Neill.

*2005 Class B All-State Team*

Ryan Moore*-Beatrice - 6-2, Senior (16.5 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Ben Suing-Elkhorn Mt. Michael - 6-0, Senior (17.0 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Blake Suing-Elkhorn Mt. Michael - 6-0, Senior (16.0 ppg/2.7 rpg)

Danny Deaver-Norris - 6-4, Senior (15.5 ppg/6.4 rpg)

Michael Millard-Lincoln Pius X - 6-0, Senior (15.4 ppg/4.1)

2nd Team:

Joe Broekemeier-Aurora -6-4, Junior (19.2 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Tyson Parks-Beatrice - 6-2, Junior (11.7 ppg/6.7 rpg)

Adam Akerson-Sidney - 6-0, Senior (10.0 ppg/2.1rpg)

Adam Schmoldt-Schuyler - 6-3, Senior (15.0 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Ross Bosn-Lincoln Pius X - 6-3, Senior (11.1 ppg/6.9)

*Class B All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Brett Friesen-Alliance; Andrew Hibbert, Brian Pickering, Drew Fossler-Beatrice; Travis Steinhoff-Crete; Jim Meyer- Elkhorn; Ron Kmiecik-Elkhorn Mt. Michael; Brady Helmink, Shea Austin-Fairbury; Ryan Plummer, Bowdy Ehler-Gering; Brandon Arp-Gretna; Jack Lind-Hastings; Tyler VanEpheren-Holdrege; Tyler Shreve, Jordan Wagner-Lincoln Pius X; Tyler DeBoer-Norris; Joel Pelster-Ogallala; Pat Dempsey, Travis Tangeman-Omaha Gross; Tony Gargano-Omaha Roncalli; Rick Lang, Ryan McMahon-Omaha Skutt; Eric Knutson-Schuyler; Andy Miner-Seward; Justin Huus-Sidney; Brandon Dondlinger, Jim Tvrdy-Waverly; Danny Dutmer-York.

Juniors: Tyler Briggs-Alliance; Mike Higgins-Beatrice; Pete Reynolds, Scott Neuhalfen-Blair; Cole Bunner-Elkhorn Mt. Michael; Jake Spurgeon-Gretna; Aaron Williams-Hastings; Pat Ackerman, Brad Smith-Holdrege; Nate Jaeger-Lexington; Ian Bonder-Omaha Roncalli; Trent Schlautman-Omaha Skutt; Michael Ray-Plattsmouth.

Sophomore: Greg Hinkle-Scottsbluff.

*2005 Class A All-State Team:

Josh Dotzler*-Bellevue West- 6-0, Senior (16.9 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Michael Jenkins*-Bellevue West- 6-3, Senior (17.5 ppg/4.3 rpg)

Zach Potter-Creighton Prep - 6-7, Senior (18.7 ppg/11.1 rpg)

Matt Hill-Lincoln Southeast - 6-11, Junior (19.4 ppg/10.7 rpg)

Tyler Albers-Papillion La Vista - 6-3, Senior (21.0 ppg/4.8 rpg)

2nd Team:

Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast - 6-0, Junior (16.5 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Matt Culliver-Omaha Bryan - 6-1, Senior (25.1 ppg/5.6 rpg)

B.J. Valentine-Omaha Central - 5-7, Senior (20.3 ppg/3.3 rpg)

Brandon McGruder-Omaha Bryan - 6-0, Senior (20.2 ppg/3.1 rpg)

Yusuf Vinson-Lincoln High - 6-0, Senior (15.1 ppg/4.9 rpg)

*Class “A” All-State Honorable Mention:

Seniors: Chad Simon, Avery walker-Bellevue East; Chris Howard-Bellevue West; Nate Burkel, Logan Kuhl-Columbus; Joe Temme-Creighton Prep; Andy Hoffman-Fremont; Drew Dahlin, Greg Locklear-Lincoln East; Andrew Klein, Christian Lewis-Lincoln High; Danny Tucker, Bandak Chei, Jamalle Reeves-Lincoln North Star; Meechie Johnson, DeAndre Melvin, Mitch Rairdon-Lincoln NE; Trent Price-Lincoln SE; Michael Breetzke-Lincoln SW; Cole Salomon, Kyle Parys, Robbie Knight, Nate Fehr, Adam Muenster-Millard North; Orion Clifford-Millard South; Nick Ebert-Millard West; Jared Piper-North Platte; Aaron Dorsey-Omaha Central; Andre Wagner, Anthony Jones-Omaha NW; Thekoy Lol-Omaha South; Tyler Knust-Omaha Westside; Ryan Stubbe, Zach Vanselow, Mitch Friehe-Papillion La Vista South.

Juniors: Jake Meyer, Jeff Martin-Bellevue West; Jeremy Siems, John Pribnow-Fremont; Mitch Carstens, Jake Ryba, Jay Kropp-Grand Island; Drew Emken-Kearney; Kendall Franz, Matt Newman-Lincoln East; Tyler Bullock-Lincoln North Star; Danilo Pavicevic-Lincoln NE, Ian Dike-Lincoln SE; Andrew Page-Millard South; Jordan Wells-Norfolk; Rodney Grace, Avery Tyler, Tim Kanger-Omaha Central.

Sophomores: Cody Kissel, Joey Rousseau-Kearney; Jim Ebke-Lincoln East; Brett Shively-Norfolk; Ben Kline-Omaha Central; Mitch Albers-Papillion LV.

*2005 Super-State 1st Team:

Josh Dotzler*-Bellevue West- 6-0, Senior (16.9 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Michael Jenkins*-Bellevue West- 6-3, Senior (17.5 ppg/4.3 rpg)

Zach Potter-Creighton Prep - 6-7, Senior (18.7 ppg/11.1 rpg)

Matt Hill-Lincoln Southeast - 6-11, Junior (19.4 ppg/10.7 rpg)

Tyler Albers-Papillion La Vista - 6-3, Senior (21.0 ppg/4.8 rpg)

*2005 Super-State 2nd Team:

Andrew Bridger-Lincoln Northeast - 6-0, Junior (16.5 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Matt Culliver-Omaha Bryan - 6-1, Senior (25.1 ppg/5.6 rpg)

B.J. Valentine-Omaha Central - 5-7, Senior (20.3 ppg/3.3 rpg)

Ryan Moore*-Beatrice - 6-2, Senior (16.5 ppg/3.4 rpg)

Drake Beranek*-Ravenna - 6-2, Junior (21.2 ppg/9.4 rpg)

*2005 Super-State 3rd Team:

Brandon McGruder-Omaha Bryan - 6-0, Senior (20.2 ppg/3.1 rpg)

Yusuf Vinson-Lincoln High - 6-0, Senior (15.1 ppg/4.9 rpg)

Kenny Howard-Grand Island Central Catholic - 6-11, Senior (18.5 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Gabe Zwiener-Pleasanton - 6-11, Senior (18.3 ppg/12.3 rpg)

Wade Vontz*-Cambridge - 6-1, Junior, (23.1 ppg/7.2 rpg)

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Two things I recall from this season; Hampton Hall of Fame coach Jerry Eickhoff recording his 600th career win and Ainsworth sophomore Jesse Carr scoring 68 points in a 105-97, double overtime loss to Atkinson West Holt. Carr scored all of his teams 25 first quarter points and shot the ball 47 times in that game. West Holt also had two players over 40 points in that baby.