The Nebraska High School Basketball All-State Project - Saluting 1980

Here are the class by class State Tournaments at a glance.

*In Class D, Defending state champion Filley returned 2 starters/all-staters in Stanley Lenners and Alan Wiese. The Wildcats were also riding a 51 game winning streak, which by the way, is not mentioned in the record books on the NSAA site. Humphrey also entered the tourney with a clean 25-0 slate. The rest of the field included Deshler (17-3), Maxwell (20-4), Prague (18-4), Cambridge (18-5), tiny Bushnell, also 18-5, and a tourney veteran 17-4 Clearwater squad.

Humphrey coach Doug Moss expressed disappointment in drawing a Clearwater team the Bulldogs had already beaten twice during the season. Moss also had to be wary of the fact star player, 6-6 Gary Bender had not been healthy since the last week of the season. Maxwell returned NO starters from a 15-5 team, yet bettered that record to 20-4 in 1979/80. The best player I saw during the year was certainly Prague's Roger Paeska, who nearly averaged 20 a game and pulled down 15 boards. Awful tough customer in the paint on both offense and defense.

Unfortunately, Bushnell drew defending champ Filley in the 1st round and after not qualifying for the Dance in 40 years, were sent home with a 74-44 loss to the Wildcats. On the same side of the bracket, Cambridge defeated Deshler in a low scoring affair, 45-38.

Humphrey made it a clean, three game sweep over Clearwater with a 59-52 victory and Prague hung on to down Maxwell 62-58 to advance to the semis.

Filley advanced to the finals with another easy win, this time a 69-40 drubbing of Cambridge. Humphrey and Prague played the most exciting game of the Class D state tournament with the Bulldogs edging Roger Paseka and mates, 49-47.

The finals was yet another frolic for 6th year coach Eldon Johnson's Filley team. The 'Cats won their 54th in a row with a resounding 48-27 win over Humphrey. Lenners scored 25 points and grabbed 8 boards in the game. After the game, Filley coach Eldon Johnson was quoted concerning the 54 game winning streak by his Wildcats: "54 have tried and 54 have died!" Well said Coach Johnson.

Wiese and Lenners from Filley were named to the all-tournament team (duh), along with Kevin Bender of Humphrey, Ken Thiele of Clearwater, and his teammate, Chuck Druse. Both Wiese and Thiele were juniors. Stanley Lenners led the Class D tournament in scoring with 70 points in three games, followed by Kevin Bender's 46, and Wiese of Filley, who potted 42 points in 3 outings.

The Class C tournament was missing its 2 leading scorers in Palmer's Kent Payne (32 ppg) and Lyons big Jim Going (25 a game), but this class had some great balance and very strong favorites to win it all in Grant. Entering the state tournament, the Plainsmen's only setback of the season had been to Class B tourney qualifier, 17-5 Sidney. Hartington returned 4 all-conference starters from last year's squad and Sandy Creek had nine seniors on a team that surprised everyone as sophomores by making the Class C state tourney two years before.

In the opening round, Grant sent Leigh home with a 70-52 loss and Hartington beat a strong Burwell basketball team 50-43. On the other side of the bracket, Doug Hall led Exeter to a 65-58 win over a very fine Mead bunch that's 6 losses were only to rated Class B or C teams. One was a double OT loss to "B" tourney qualifier, Elkhorn Mount Michael. In the other match-up, Mark Maly and Joe Recker paced Fremont Bergan to a thrilling 64-61 win over a strong Terry Anstine led Sandy Creek crew.

Bergan survived another close call, putting it mildly, in the semifinals by nipping Exeter 68-66. Hartington waltzed through Grant 64-42, which was a huge jolt to most fans, but the Wildcats really had a terrific player in Joel Hansen. The 6-2 senior guard could do it all and was about as complete a player as you would see, regardless of class.

In the finals Archbishop Bergan's balance was too much for Hartington as the Knights prevailed 57-48. In only its 3rd State Tournament appearance, Bergan won it all.

The All-Tournament squad included Maly and Recker of Fremont Bergan, Hansen of Hartington, a no-brainer, Exeter's Doug Hall, and Grant's very fine Roger Lawson. Maly and Hansen tied for the tournament scoring title by scoring 53 points. Bergan's Recker scored 50 and Grant's 6-5 junior, Tom Jackman, who averaged 22.5 ppg in just 2 appearances. Jackman was headed for stardom in his senior campaign.

Class B boasted a Hartington Cedar Catholic team that not only returned 4 starters, but their ENTIRE bench. The Trojans were out to avenge a 1st round state tournament loss to Mt. Michael a year before. Cedar Catholic entered the tournament this season with a perfect 22-0 record. Right behind them, ironically another perfect squad.........Killer Kane's 20-0 Mt. Michael Knights. Bill Holliday's Aurora Huskies followed closely in the rear view with a sparkling 20-2 record. Aurora was rated #1 in 1980 until Ord dealt them a January 12 loss. The Huskies also drew giant killer Crete (15-5) in that 1st round, but had Class B's best player in Kevin Penner.

Other qualifiers in Class B included 17-5 Sidney, who drew 16-4 Ainsworth and Lincoln Pius X (15-6) and a Lexington team that qualified at 14-7. You just hoped that Cedar, with Russ Uhing and Keith Becker would get to a finals match-up with Aurora with Penner and dandy Mike Johnson, a 6-3 forward who averaged 16 ppg, just 2 less than Penner.

In the 1st round, Russ Uhing punished Lexington as the Trojans beat the Minutemen, 70-58. Lex's front line included a pair of 6-5 juniors in Rod Reynolds and Rick Price that did cause Cedar some problems. Sidney advanced to the semis with a 69-59 win over Larry Uhing's Ainsworth bunch. Uhing was in his 2nd season there.

On the other side, Bill Holliday's fellas made sure Crete was no giant killer by drubbing the Cardinals 80-64. Killer Kane's Mt. Michael boys embarrassed Pius 63-33 to close out round one.

In the semifinals, Aurora won a 55-53 thriller over Mt. Michael and Cedar Catholic had way too much fire power for the Red Raiders of Sidney, 71-47.

The finals was everything it was advertised to be as Hartington Cedar Catholic outscored Aurora 79-74. That's the kind of basketball I love to see. Uhing and Penner put on a terrific show as well as Johnson for Aurora and Cedar's 6-2 forward, Jon Kathol. Uhing drained 29 points in the game and Cedar Catholic NEVER SUBSTITUTED ONCE DURING THAT CONTEST.

The all-tournament team consisted of Uhing and Kathol of HCC, Penner and Johnson of Aurora, and the final slot went to Elkhorn's 6-3 senior, Doug Heffinger, a 2nd team all-state selection.

There probably weren't but a handful of people who DID NOT pick Omaha Westside and Lincoln East to make it to the finals in Class A, but after 1979's crazy tournament I certainly was a bit gun shy. But Westside with Dean "The Dream" and the Spartans having Alex Stirvins, it looked like an awfully good bet that these two would battle it out for the Big Prize.

There were 3 Lincoln teams, 4 Omaha schools and one lonely out state team (Grand Island) in Class A that year. All 3 Lincoln schools were thrust into one bracket, drawing many "boos" from the locals. 19-1 Lincoln East was seeded #1 and drew 9-11 GI. Lincoln SE (13-5) drew 14-5 Lincoln High to complete that side of the bracket.

Dangerous 16-7 Omaha Northwest with sophomore sensation Ron Kellogg, drew a nice 13-4 Papillion team with a nice player in junior Alex Murphy, and Westside rounded out things with 11-8 Omaha South.

In that 1st go-around, Omaha Westside beat South 62-45 and Papillion nipped Omaha NW 64-62. Lincoln SE clipped Lincoln High 58-45 and Lincoln East only beat the Islanders 67-60. GI had a nicely balanced squad that year with juniors Clark Toner, Drue Bamesburger, and Jim Huebner. The Islanders were pretty salty in football that year too.

East turned back Southeast 46-42 and Omaha Westside defeated Papio 65-58 to set up the much anticipated finals showcase between the Spartans and the Warriors.

It just had to be Tom Hall's Westside Warriors year, because Dean Thompson and crew won the title by winning a 63-55 count over Lincoln East. Ironically, Lincoln High had a victory over both East and Westside on the road that year. Lincoln SE handed Omaha Westside its only other loss in 1980. Dean The Dream scored 28 in that title game and reversed Westside and Lincoln East's outcome in the previous fall's State Football Class A Championship game.

The Class A all-tournament team was Thompson and 6-4 junior Dave Fletcher of state champ Westside, Stirvins of Lincoln East, of course, Tim Richards of Papillion and sophomore Ron Kellogg of Omaha Northwest, who was just getting started.

The All-Class, All-Tournament Dream Team had Thompson, Fletcher, Stirvins, plus Cedar Catholic's Uhing and Aurora's Penner. Now that's a Dream team indeed.

*1980 Class D All-State Team*

G - Gary Bender-Humphrey - 6-0, Senior (18.5 ppg/2.7 rpg)

G - Alan Wiese-Filley - 6-2, Junior (17.0 ppg/7.4 rpg)

C - Roger Paseka-Prague - 6-4, Senior (19.0 ppg/15.1 rpg)

F - Stanley Lenners-Filley* - 6-4, Senior (15.0 ppg/6.5 rpg)

F - Barry Newman-North Loup/Scotia - 6-1, Senior (24.9 ppg/12.6 rpg)

2nd Team:

G - Larry Martinez-Omaha Brownell-Talbot - 6-1, Senior (23.1 ppg/4.2 rpg)

G - Randy Hoeiting-Lawrence - 5-10, Senior (20.0 ppg/4.7 rpg)

C - Bruce Harding-Lewiston - 6-3, Senior (18.0 ppg/12.9 rpg)

F - Chuck Druse-Cambridge - 6-2, Senior (20.2 ppg/10.5)

F - Russell Wilshusen-Hordville - 6-2, Senior (10.9 ppg/6.6 rpg)

*Lenners was a repeat selection and not many enjoyed a career like his. 54 straight wins without a defeat at Filley with 2 state championships to boot. Brownell-Talbot's Larry Martinez is still easily listed on Nebraska's all-time career scoring list with his 1,579 points. Humphrey's Mike Sjuts drained 36 consecutive free throws without a miscue which still ranks 14th on that list. I guess the players of today's game didn't see Stephan Curry drain 70 some straight 3 pointers in practice recently or there would be more of those consecutive free throws made.

And speaking of Bushnell making the state tournament in 1980, that town boasts a pretty famous basketball player. A man named Ken Sailors. Mr. Sailors, born in Bushnell in January of 1921, later lived on a farm south of Hillsdale, Wyoming. After a terrific high school career at Laramie Wyoming, Sailors took his skills to Wyoming University and led the Cowboys to the 1943 NCAA Championship game and was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player that year. He earned the honor again in 1946. Sailors is still the only Wyoming basketball player to be named All-American THREE times.

From 1946 to 1951, Ken Sailors played in the NBA, playing for the Cleveland Rebels, Chicago Stags, Philadelphia Warriors, Providence Steamrollers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and the Baltimore Bullets. He scored 3,480 points during his professional career. In 2012, Kenneth Sailors was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Last year, the University of Wyoming had planned to erect a statue of Mr. Sailors outside Wyoming's basketball facility, the Arena/Auditorium.

Ken Sailors passed away on January 30, 2016 at the age of 95.

At the end of this article there is an amazing story about this exceptional gentleman. Please read and enjoy!

*Honorable Mention: Neil Geilenkirchen, Larry Gaspers-Lindsay Holy Family, Terry Carlson-Trenton, Bruce Harders-Lewiston, Mark Blivens-Lexington St. Anns, John Bunger-Hildreth, Brian Anderson-Suner, Dana Schultz-Clarks, Jerry Urban-Prague, Marty Kirkman-Clearwater, Kevin O'Neill-Pleasanton, Jeff Sperling-Lincoln Christian, Lance Michaeis-Maxwell, Kyle McCormick-Wheatland, Mike Bantam-Orleans, Terry Bender-Polk, Bob Armstrong-Elgin, Darren Maaske-Loomis, Brad Heese-Adams, Steve Koozer-Fairmont, Emil Stichka-Ruskin, Mike Sjuts-Humphrey, Craig Tietjen-Chester, Perry Miller-Walthill, Brian Hohensee-Dorchester, John Schutte-Nelson, and Kevin Hartman-Douglas.

*1980 Class C All-State Team*

G - Joel Hansen-Hartington - 6-2, Senior (18.4 ppg/7.6 rpg)

G - Kent Payne-Palmer* - 6-2, Senior (32.5 ppg/7.0 rpg)

C - Jim Going-Lyons* - 6-8, Senior (25.3 ppg/11.3 rpg)

F - Mark Maly-Fremont Bergan - 6-1, Senior (17.8 ppg/9.6 rpg)

F - Dick Hadden-Bridgeport- 6-3, Senior (16.6 ppg/10.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

G - Roger Lawson-Grant -6-1, Junior (10.1 ppg/4.1 rpg)

G - Jim Horne-Exeter - 5-11, Senior (20.2 ppg/3.0 rpg)

C - Steve Bartek-Wahoo Neumann - 6-6, Senior (23.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

F - Jeff Hoppes-Burwell - 6-4, Senior (25.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

F - Jamie Roes-Hemingford - 6-2, Senior (18.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

*Payne and Going were repeaters from the 1979 all-state team and very deserving. Honest to goodness, I still haven't seen too many pure shooters like Kent Payne in my lifetime. Payne went on to be one of the finest NFL officials in the United States. In 2011, Kent was one of the officials in the Super Bowl. You heard that right. At the time, Payne had officiated in the NFL for 7 seasons and had a day gig in Denver teaching 6th grade Math and Science. Pretty cool for the St. Paul native and Palmer star. Payne is also still listed on the consecutive made free throws list by making 21 without a miss in 1980.

Bridgeport's Hadden, Going, and Hemingford's Roes averaged a double-double for the season. Pretty difficult to do. Neumann's Steve Bartek is a very successful basketball coach at Lincoln Northeast for their girls program and was a key figure in the Grand Island boys state title team when Dave Oman was head man there. Bartek is one sharp cookie when it comes to hoops.

*Honorable Mention: Mike Pruss-Orchard, Dana Falter-Creighton, Joe Recker, Pat Henggeier-Fremont Bergan, Carey Peters-Milford, Tom Range-Friend, Bill Jackman-Grant, Todd Sock-Norfolk Catholic, Francis Curtis-Grand Island Central Catholic, Bob Gier-Bloomfield, Russ Hegert-Hartington, Alton Spenner, Don Steffensmeier-Dodge, Pat Tobey-West Point CC, Paul Gangwish-Shelton, Ken Fuchs-Humphrey St. Francis, John Walford-Osceola, Terry Anstine-Sandy Creek, Keith Gall-Leigh, Dave Krieger-Harvard, Tom Anderson-Axtell, Doug Doughty-Cedar Rapids, John Konecky-Mead, Bob Hartman-North Bend, and Ron Deets-Madison.

*1980 Class B All-State Team

G - Kevin Penner-Aurora- 6-1, Senior (18.0 ppg/12.0 rpg)

G - Russ Uhing-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-3, Senior (20.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

C - Dennis Colyer-Ainsworth - 6-5, Senior (18.0 ppg/9.4 rpg)

F - Mark Sojka-Elkhorn Mt. Michael - 6-3, Senior (19.7 ppg)

F - Lennie Hoover-Norris- 6-2, Senior (15.3 ppg/6.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

G - Kenton Oltman-Norris - 5-11, Senior (12.3 ppg/5.0 rpg)

G - Rick Turner-Holdrege - 6-1, Senior (16.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

C - Doug Heffinger-Elkhorn Mt. Michael - 6-3, Senior (16.2 ppg/11.1 rpg)

F - Keith Becker-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-7, Senior (14.0 ppg/14.0 rpg)

F - Mike Johnson-Aurora - 6-3, Senior (16.0 ppg/7.3 rpg)

*First and foremost, the Norris win streak ended at 47 games in 1980. That's a ton of wins folks. That still ranks 11th on the Consecutive Wins list.

Kevin Penner certainly was an outstanding overall athlete, period. He was the Omaha World-Herald Athlete-of-the-Year in 1980 and a 3 sport letter winner, but his best sport was played during the summer on the diamond. Penner went on to have a terrific career at Wichita State in baseball, surviving a horrific injury when a 90 mph pitch struck his left eye and caused extensive damage. That was during the College World Series his sophomore year for the Shockers. In 1985, Penner was named All-American and ended up being drafted by the Texas Rangers. Mr. Penner was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Cedar Catholic's Russ Uhing was such a good player for the Trojans, especially in 1980. Uhing went on to enjoy a highly successful basketball coaching career, mostly at Lincoln High. How successful was Coach Uhing's stint at Lincoln High, you ask? In 10 years, Uhing compiled a record of 145-75, took the Links to the State Tournament 8 times, winning the whole thing in 2003. He was Journal-Star Coach -of-the-Year in 2003 also. Coach Uhing is currently the Director of Student Services for the Lincoln Public Schools.

There were 3 players on the 2 all-state teams that averaged a double-double. Penner, Heffinger-EMM, and Uhing's teammate, Keith Becker all did it. Dennis Colyer of Ainsworth, a 1st team selection, just missed.

*Honorable Mention: Randy Edwards-Superior, Russ Mohalek-Seward, Ed Kasper-Omaha Paul VI, Scott Harris-Arlington, Doug Bohuslavsky-Elkhorn, Mike Leigh-Platteview, Scott Erickson, Jim Jirovec-Crete, Mark Mayberry-St. Paul, Greg Kay-Hastings Adams Central, Bret Clark-Nebraska City, Gary Gottch-Valley, Barry Witherwax-Ord, Mark Rowe-Sidney, Shawn Keiley-Lincoln Pius X, Greg Brown-Kimball, Jay Novacek-Gothenburg, Joel Ringenburg-Lexington, Troy Peck-Ogallala, Jeff Zeiss-Wayne, Scott Johnson-Central City, Mitch Brouilette-York, Jeff Beideck-McCook, Larry Jansen-Wahoo, Todd Mitties-Plattsmouth, and Bret Kumpf-Columbus Scotus.

*1980 Class A All-State Team

G - Dean Thompson-Omaha Westside - 6-0, Senior (22.7 ppg/5.0 rpg)

G - Gary Blum-Omaha Gross - 6-4, Senior (21.3 ppg/12.3 rpg)

C - Craig Willis-Omaha Tech - 6-6, Senior (23.9 ppg/11.5 rpg)

F - Ron Kellogg-Omaha Northwest - 6-5, Sophomore (21.7 ppg/11.5 rpg)

F - Alex Stivrins-Lincoln East - 6-7, Senior (24.6 ppg/10.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

G - Mark Grabau-Lincoln East - 6-3, Junior (10.6 ppg/3.2 rpg)

G - Kerry Trotter-Creighton Prep - 6-5, Sophomore (18.0 ppg)

C - Greg Johnson-Omaha South - 6-8, Senior (17.7 ppg/8.8 rpg)

F - Tim Richards-Papillion - 6-4, Junior (17.3 ppg/10.2 rpg)

F - Dave Fletcher-Omaha Westside - 6-4, Junior (11.7 ppg/7.0 rpg)

*How about Dean "The Dream" Thompson? What a player. Thompson garnered a full ride basketball scholarship to Nebraska/Omaha and finished his career as the all-time leading scorer for the Mavs, tallying 1,816 points. Dean "The Dream" played in 117 consecutive games during his career, leading his team to 81 victories during his 1980-1984 at UNO. He led the Mavericks to 3 trips to the NCAA Division II tournament. In 1984, Thompson was the Omaha Sportscasters Assn. Sportsman of the Year. Dean was also the youngest person ever elected to the UNO Hall of Fame and earlier this month was selected to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Lincoln East star Alex Stivrins played college hoops for Creighton for 2 years after graduating from Lincoln East, then transferred to Colorado where he finished a very fine career for the Buffaloes. Stivrins was a 4th Round draft pick by the Seattle Supersonics in 1985, but mostly enjoyed some highly successful basketball abroad, playing in France, Spain, and Italy from 1986 to 1992. He returned to the NBA in '92. playing for the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Stivrins then returned overseas, playing in Spain (1993/1994), then Japan in 1996/97.

By the way, Alex Stivrins daughter, 6-4 Lauren, who is from Scottsdale, Arizona, is a Husker volleyball recruit and will join that crew in 2016.

Waiting in the wings on these All-State teams were 2 sophomores who would go on to be 2 of the finest basketball players this state has ever witnessed. Omaha Northwest's Rom Kellogg and Prep's Kerry Trotter would be listed on the top of the "You ain't seen nothin' yet" list in 1980. And that's an understatement.

And how about FOUR of the 5 first team picks averaging a double/double!

*Honorable Mention: N/A

*1980 Super-State 1st Team

G - Dean "The Dream" Thompson-Omaha Westside - 6-0, Senior (22.7 ppg/5.0 rpg)

G - Leo Crawford-Omaha Northwest - 6-4, Senior (20.2 ppg/10.5 rpg)

C - Jim Going-Lyons - 6-8, Senior (25.3 ppg/11.3 rpg)

F - Ron Kellogg-Omaha Northwest - 6-5, Sophomore (21.7 ppg/11.5 rpg)

F - Alex Stivrins-Lincoln East - 6-7, Senior (24.6 ppg/10.0 rpg)

*1980 Super-State 2nd Team

G - Russ Uhing-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-3, Senior (20.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

G - Alex Murphy-Papillion - 6-1, Junior (10.1 ppg/4.0 rpg)

C - Craig Willis-Omaha Tech - 6-6, Senior (23.9 ppg/11.5 rpg)

F - Gary Blum-Omaha Gross - 6-4, Senior (21.3 ppg/12.3 rpg)

F - Lennie Hoover-Norris- 6-2, Senior (15.3 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Regarding Kenny Sailors, born in Bushnell, Nebraska.........here is what author John Christgau wrote in his book "The Origins of the Jump Shot" (University of Nebraska Press, 1999, pp 205-206)

Discharged from the Marines in late 1945, Kenny . . . within days . . . found himself in Madison Square Garden again. One shot by Kenny Sailors . . . remains historic . . . . He had stolen a pass and then raced down the left side of the floor . . . . At the top of the key, he cut to his right and then stopped suddenly and jumped. Courtside spectators in folding chairs watched as he seemed to rise up into the scoreboard . . . . Now, at the peak of his jump and hanging-in-the-air in Madison Square Garden, he drew a bead on the basket . . . . Just before he dropped his left hand away to release the shot, a photographer's flashbulb exploded silently. To the 18,056 fans who were watching, the flashbulb explosion seemed to freeze Kenny Sailors in the air, while beneath him men as floor-bound as statuary looked up in awe. Two weeks later Life Magazine ran a photo story of the game . . . . millions of young players saw that picture of Kenny's jump shot in Life, and that . . . began a chain reaction in basketball . . . . Everywhere young players on basketball courts began jumping to shoot."

The thing that just absolutely floors me is the fact that back in Kenny Sailors day, the 2 handed set shot was the weapon of choice for the outside shooter. This was in the early 1940's. The shot that everybody took back then was the two handed set shot. Simply put, the shooter would launch the long distance shot with both feet planted on the floor and BOTH HANDS on the ball.

Once in a while, a brave soul would plant both feet and take a one-handed push shot, but that may just land you on the bench for such shenanigans.

There have been many players taking credit for inventing the jump shot including Stanford University's Hank Luisetti back in that era. Tell you what though, despite all those claims, there have been many witnesses, according to top notch author Lew Freedman, that Kenny Sailors was indisputably the player who shot the jump shot that all basketball players and fans have come to know and all future players had come to use.

Kenny Sailors himself never made the claim that he invented the jump shot, always claiming that someone, somewhere may have taken one in a game Kenny never heard about. Yet when Mr. Sailors was competing for Wyoming, nobody else was taking jump shots. Even when Sailors played in the NBA, nobody else there was even taking jump shots.

In my case, I choose to believe that this amazing man truly invented the jump shot in the game of basketball.