The Nebraska High School Basketball All-State Project - Saluting 1994

Another banner year for the Wahoo Warriors and Creighton Prep, who had three members of their starting 5 with Division scholarships in hand when the season concluded.

Here is how the 1994 State Basketball Tournament played out.

*Class D-2:

Quarterfinals:

(19-4) Chester-Hubbell-Byron 67, Giltner 43 (10-8)

(18-6) Elgin 66, Lodgepole 45 (15-4)

(15-4) Odell 63, Spalding Academy 50 (14-6)

(16-4) Brady 53, Benedict 35 (13-9)

Semifinals:

(19-6) Elgin 50, Chester-Hubbell-Byron 48 (20-4)

(16-4) Odell 63, Brady 46 (17-4)

Finals:

(17-4) Odell 66, Elgin 47 (20-6)

D-2 Champion: Odell (18-4)

*The D-2 All-Tournament team consisted of 3 Juniors and 2 seniors.

The seniors were Odell teammates Matt Nietfeld (6-6) and 6-7 Josh Novotny. A 3rd Odell player, junior Tim Hubka (6-1) made the team along with CHB’s Chris Eitzmann and Dave Ochsner of Elgin, also juniors.

*The tournament scoring leader was Novotny of Odell, who had games of 18, 19 and 19 to hit 56 points. Ochsner of Elgin was runner-up with his 3 game total of 52.

*In the D-2 final, Elgin looked strong early jumping out to a 13-6 lead, but they went the next 6:55 without scoring a basket in a stretch spanning the 2nd and 3rd stanzas. Odell put the Eagles away for good with a 22-10 scoring advantage in the 4th quarter, snuffing out the shot at a repeat state championship for Elgin.

Six-foot seven Josh Novotny led the way for Odell in the win with 19 points and 13 boards.

*Class D-1:

Quarterfinals:

(22-2) Hampton 75, Oxford 59 (14-5)

(21-2) Adams 74, Butte 59 (18-6)

(19-0) Hyannis 70, Winnebago 55 (17-8)

(19-4) Humphrey St. Francis 65, Paxton 59 (20-4)

Semifinals:

(23-2) Hampton 73, Adams 70 (22-2)

(20-4) Humphrey St. Francis 78, Hyannis 55 (20-0)

Finals:

(21-4) Humphrey St. Francis 68, Hampton 67 (24-2)

D-1 Humphrey St. Francis (22-4). Head Coach: Paul Brungardt

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; Benji Hoegh-Hampton (5-11, Jr.), Trevor Hoegh-Hampton (5-11, Sophomore), Chad Ideus-Adams (6-7, Sr.), Eric Kessler-Humphrey St. Francis (5-10, Sr.) and Jeff Torczon-Humphrey St. Francis (5-10, Sr.) This may very well have been one of the shortest all-tournament teams in history with only one player, Chad Ideus, over 6 feet tall.

*The D-1 Tournament scoring contest went to Benji Hoegh of Hampton. The flashy junior netted 68 points in 3 outings, which included games of 20, 25, and 23 points. Torczon of St. Francis ended up with 65 points in 3 games, while Trevor Hoegh’s 63 points ranked 3rd. Trevor Hoegh had the D-1 tournament’s high game with his 28 point output in Hampton’s opening round 71-59 win over Oxford. Older brother Benji netted 20 in that same game as the Hoegh boys accounted for 64% of Hampton’s 75 points that day.

*The D-1 championship game was a thriller. St. Francis junior Jason Jarosz nailed a short jumper with 7 seconds left in the game to lift the Flyers to the 68-67 win over Hampton. Jarosz called the shot “lucky”. On that play, HSF senior Jeff Torczon drove the lane but was quickly double-teamed by a couple of Hampton players. Torczon then pushed the ball to Jarosz, who then hit the game winner from just left of the lane.

More ironic was the fact Jason Jarosz didn’t even enter the game until three of his teammates had fouled out in the 4th stanza. Adding even more to his storybook heroic shot was the fact Jarosz had scored only 39 total points in the Flyers previous 25 games. But on this day, the junior was a perfect 3 for 3 from the field in those critical last 4 minutes of the money quarter.

Hampton’s 18 game win streak came to a halt in this D-1 championship game, despite the 23 points and 20 rebounding effort by 5-11 Benji Hoegh.

*Class C-2:

Quarterfinals:

(18-3) Osmond 51, Sutton 40 (18-5)

Emerson-Hubbard 71, Newman Grove 70

(18-1) North Loup-Scotia 59, Wauneta-Palisade 40 (15-5)

(22-4) Sterling 63, Republican Valley 45 (17-4)

Semifinals:

(19-3) Osmond 59, Emerson-Hubbard 48

(23-4) Sterling 56, North Loup-Scotia 55 (19-1)

Finals:

(19-3) Sterling 65, Osmond 54 (19-5)

C-2 Champion: Sterling (20-3) Head Coach: Brad Buller

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team; Jason Behrens-Sterling (6-1, Jr.), Justin Haynes-Sterling (6-3, Sophomore), Micah Uher-Sterling (6-2, Sr.), Craig Johnson-Osmond (6-4, Jr.) and Glen Snodgrass-North Loup-Scotia (6-6, Sr.)

*Tournament scoring honors went to Sterling sophomore Justin Haynes, who had a 3 game total of 56 points, including a strong 27 point performance in the 56-55 semifinal win over North Loup-Scotia.

*Sterling won their 2nd straight Class C-2 title with the 65-54 win over Osmond. A 21-9 opening quarter advantage set the tone for the experienced Jets, who were just 6-16 from the charity line in the game. But with players like Jason Behrens (18 points), Justin Haynes (16 pts) and Micah Uher (15 tallies), Coach Brad Buller’s forces proved much too strong for the Tigers. The fierce Sterling “D” limited Osmond to just 19-56 shooting from the field and 8 of 24 from beyond the arc.

Class C-1:

Quarterfinals:

(21-2) Yutan 56, Wood River 42 (13-8)

(21-2) Hershey 59, Decatur 35 (16-6)

(22-2) Sandy Creek 73, Fullerton 51 (12-9)

(17-4) Lincoln Christian 46, Hartington Cedar Catholic 43 (19-4)

Semifinals:

(22-2) Hershey 58, Yutan 56 (22-2) {Ove}

(23-2) Sandy Creek 70, Lincoln Christian 57 (18-4)

Finals:

(24-2) Sandy Creek 80, Hershey 68 (23-2)

C-1 Champion: Sandy Creek (25-2). Head Coach: Dave Barrett

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team was made up of 4 seniors and a lone junior. The team included three from C-1 champion Sandy Creek; seniors Kipp Kissinger (6-1) and 6-2 Jerald Kissinger, plus 6-2 junior Mark Herbek. The remaining two seniors on the mythical squad were from Hershey. 6-4 Greg Bringewatt and 6-8 Micah Pfortmiller grabbed those final 2 slots.

The C-1 tournament scoring crown was a runaway, as Sandy Creek’s Kipp Kissinger made it look easy with his 3 game total of 74 points (24, 20, 30 points). Kissinger actually unseated Hershey’s Bringewatt, who had won the tournament scoring title the year before.

Kissinger’s nearest rival was Hershey’s Pfortmiller, who scored 49 in 3 games.

*Sandy Creek scored 31 of its 80 total points from the charity stripe in the Cougar’s 80-68 finals triumph over Hershey. In the 4th quarter alone, Sandy Creek converted on 16 of 31 from the free throw line. This game may have been one of the finest displays of how to set screens for a shooter by that Sandy Creek team, who created openings for the red hot Kissinger. The unstoppable Kissinger scorched the nets for 30 in the win, including a perfect 6 for 6 from beyond the arc, thanks to those great screens.

Class B: 1st Round pairings were:

Quarterfinals:

(18-5) McCook 62, Valentine 35 (13-7)

(24-0) Norris 58, Ogallala 41 (12-9)

(24-1) Wahoo 81, Aurora 43 (14-10)

(13-8) Omaha Gross 48, Wayne 46 (19-4)

Semifinals:

(25-0) Norris 67, McCook 64 (19-5) {2 Oves}

(25-1) Wahoo 64, Omaha Gross 49 (14-8)

Finals:

(26-1) Wahoo 62, Norris 47 (26-0)

Class B Champion: Wahoo (27-1). Head Coach: Mick Anderson

*The Class B All-Tournament Team: Two Wahoo players made this baby after landing three Warriors on this squad a year ago. Seniors Greg Hain and Mike Hancock (a repeat selection) were named to the Class B dream tournament team. Two other seniors, McCook’s Matt Kaminski and Omaha Gross dandy, 6-2 Chris Sorensen also were named. The lone junior to make the team was 6-4 Adam Zetterman of runner-up Norris.

*The Tournament scoring title was a 2-man contest between Wahoo seniors Greg Hain and Mike Hancock. It was Hain, with his 25 point output in the finals, who ended up topping the C1 state tournament scoring chart. An incredible 16 point second quarter explosion by Hain highlighted the 25 point outburst in that 62-47 win over Norris, leading to his 3 game total of 69. Hancock followed with 62 points (26, 14, 22), while McCook’s splendid Matt Kaminski was in third place, scoring 47 points in just two games. His 35 point explosion topped the single game high in C1, that coming in McCook's heartbreaking 67-62 two overtime loss to Norris in the semis.

*In the Class B final, Coach Carlson’s Norris crew actually led Wahoo 19-16 after one quarter. But the Warrior’s Greg Hain had other ideas in that 2nd stanza. It was in that stretch that Hain drained his amazing 16 points, propelling Wahoo to a 20-9 scoring advantage. They were never in danger after the 36-23 halftime lead, thanks to Hain’s big second frame.

The 1994 Class B championship was the 6th in the last 7 years for Coach Mick Anderson and Wahoo. During that time, the Warriors compiled an unreal 176-3 record. The only losses in that stretch beginning in 1987, came to Syracuse in 1988, to Ogallala in the 1991 semis, and to Monsignor McClancy of New York in the Nebraska Prep Classic in Lincoln in December of this 1993/94 season.

Class A:

Quarterfinals:

(20-2) Lincoln Northeast 72, Omaha Central 61 (13-7)

(17-7) Kearney 87, Norfolk 67 (17-4)

(21-3) Creighton Prep 81, Omaha Burke 77 (14-6)

(14-6) Hastings 48, Alliance 44 (17-3)

Semifinals:

(21-2) Lincoln Northeast 82, Kearney 66 (18-7)

(22-3) Creighton Prep 48, Hastings 46 (15-6)

Finals:

(23-3) Creighton Prep 57, Lincoln Northeast 44 (22-2)

Class A Champion: Creighton Prep (24-4). Head Coach: Scott Hawk

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of Seniors Bo Buettenback of Hastings and Othello Meadows of Creighton Prep, along with 3 Juniors. The juniors were Greg Gerlach of Lincoln NE, Alvin Mitchell of Omaha Burke and Creighton Prep All-State post player, T.J. Pugh.

In that Class A Title contest, Creighton Prep’s Othello Meadows held Lincoln NE leading scorer, Alton Mason to just 5 points, enroute to the Junior Jays 57-44 win over the Rockets.

Othello, who was headed to East Carolina, had 14 points and 7 boards himself in the win, but it was big 6-9 junior T.J.Pugh who took home scoring honors for Prep with his 19 big ones. After the Rockets took a 16-15 opening quarter lead, it was Prep’s defense that turned things around in the 2nd stanza.

The Jays held Northeast to just 2 points in that stanza, overcoming the single point deficit, to take a 26-18 halftime lead.

B.J. Nannen cut the Prep lead to 39-36 with 6:20 left in the game with his two 3 pointers to open up the money frame. But the Prep defense again took over, holding the Rockets scoreless until the 1:01 mark when Nannen scored on an offensive putback.

The Class A title game featured THREE Division 1 players from Creighton Prep, all seniors. Othello Meadows was headed to East Carolina as we said, while Eric Lauritsen and Ben Fogarty both signed with Creighton.

It was the 2nd state title for Creighton Prep coach Scott Hawk, who notched one in 1986 when he guided Omaha Cathedral to a C-1 state crown.

*Tournament scoring honors went to Creighton Prep’s Othello Meadows, who unseated Alvin Mitchell, who had won the honor with his 56 points in 1993. Meadows rang up 60 points in three games for the Bulldogs (26, 20 and 14). Pugh was runner-up with his 56 in three outings. And Alvin Mitchell? The amazing junior ended up with 44 points…….all coming in Burke’s 81-77 1st round loss to Prep.

*The All Class/All-Tournament Team consisted of Gerlach-Lincoln NE, Hain of Wahoo, Kipp Kissinger of Sandy Creek, Meadows-Creighton Prep and his teammate T.J. Pugh.

*1994 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Josh Novotny-Odell - 6-7, Senior (15.4 ppg/10.2 rpg)

Chad Schmitt-Elgin** - 6-4, Senior (20.5 ppg/5.1 rpg)

David Ochsner - 6-2, Junior (19.0 ppg/7.3 rpg)

Dan Filipi-Shickley - 6-0, Junior (23.2 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Doug Rader-Trumbull - 6-1, Junior (25.7 ppg/.7.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

Chris Eitzmann-Chester-Hubbell-Byron - 6-5, Junior (15.9 ppg/8.2 rpg)

Matt Cumro-Table Rock - 6-1, Junior (22.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Bobby Hurlburt-Arcadia - 6-0, Senior (18.0 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Judd Chatelain-Rising City - 6-2, Sophomore (22.1 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Nate Steinike-Brady - 6-1, Junior (19.7 ppg/7.1 rpg)

*I usually only write about the whereabouts of seniors, but Chris Eitzmann of Chester-Hubbell-Byron is too good to pass up here, although only a junior in ‘94. Eitzmann ended up going to Ivy League Harvard on a football scholarship. He lettered 4 years, started at TE for three of those seasons and made All-Ivy League and All-New England his senior season (1999).

Eitzmann was drafted by the New England Patriots and played for that team in 2000/2001. He spent 2002 playing for Frankfort in the NFL Europe and was last with the Cleveland Browns in 2003.

*You may also recognize Brock Eichelberger from Beemer on the honorable mention list. This guy was one of the roughest, toughest football players I ever saw. Brock had two 1000 yard plus rushing seasons and coached O'Neill to a storybook Class C-1 football championship last year. One of the best in the biz now and still coaching at O’Neill.

*1994 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Chad Ideus-Adams*** - 6-7, Senior (29.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Jake Simon-Falls City Sacred Heart** - 6-6, Senior (24.3 ppg/8.8 rpg)

Benji Hoegh-Hampton - 5-11, Junior (16.6 ppg/.6.0 rpg)

Lindley Thompson-Paxton - 6-2, Sophomore (19.4 ppg/12.0 rpg)

Jeff Torczon-Humphrey St. Francis - 5-10, Senior (22.7 ppg/6.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Dan Regan-Ewing** - 6-2, Senior (18.0 ppg/7.5 rpg)

Trevor Hoegh-Hampton - 5-11, Sophomore (14.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Jeff Kraus-Hyannis** - 6-0, Junior (21.8 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Ryan Holtmeier-Meridian - 6-3, Senior (17.1 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Jason Rittscher-Clearwater - 6-0, Senior (16.0 ppg/4.5 rpg)

*You may recognize 3 names from the honor mention senior list. Eric Kessler of Humphrey St. Francis is now head football and basketball coach at that very school.

You should recall tough Billy Legate of Clearwater playing on Three Nebraska National Championship Teams (1994, 1995, 1997). Legate played fullback in the shadow of Joel Makovicka his last 2 seasons but was well known for his headhunting skills on kick-off teams.

Sean Daly, a former smallish 2,000 yard rusher for Kenesaw back in the day, is now a Dentist in Hastings.

*Class D-1 All-State Honorable Mention:

*Seniors: Billy Legate-Clearwater; Eric Kessler-Humphrey St. Francis; Sean Daly-Kenesaw.

*1994 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Micah Uhir-Sterling** - 6-2, Senior (19.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

B.J. Smith-Sutton - 6-1, Senior (26.2 ppg/9.2 rpg)

Justin Haynes-Sterling - 6-3, Sophomore (14.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Glen Snodgrass-North Loup-Scotia - 6-6, Senior (23.8 ppg/14.0 rpg)

Brent Beacom-Emerson-Hubbard - 6-0, Senior (19.8 ppg/4.3 rpg)

2nd Team:

Anthony Tupper-Pawnee City** - 6-1, Senior (16.6 ppg/9.9 rpg)

John Piel-Harvard**- 6-1, Senior (28.8 ppg/7.7 rpg)

Troy Mans-Red Cloud - 6-1, Senior (18.0 ppg/7.0 rpg)

Ryan McMeekin-Shelby - 6-6, Senior (25.0 ppg/12.0 rpg)

Craig Johnson-Osmond - 6-4, Junior (16.0 ppg/7.5 rpg)

*1994 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Kipp Kissinger-Sandy Creek** - 5-11, Senior (22.8 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Preston Buckendahl-Battle Creek - 6-3, Senior (15.5 ppg/5.2 rpg)

Dustin Jorgenson-Hershey - 5-8, Senior (17.3 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Brett Louderback-Bridgeport - 6-4, Senior (18.0 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Jeremy Krumwiede-Lyons-Decatur - 6-3, Senior (21.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

2nd Team:

Tyler Johnson-Hebron - 6-0, Junior (22.8 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Jonathan Beukelman-Lincoln Christian - 6-1, Senior (14.0 ppg/5.1 rpg)

Nate Thomas-Henderson - 6-7, Senior (19.9 ppg/12.6 rpg)

Jaime Jones-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-5, Junior (13.7 ppg/7.4 rpg)

James Stinson-Tecumseh - 6-2, Senior (17.0 ppg/9.3 rpg)

*Kipp Kissinger went on to enjoy a successful hoops career at Nebraska Wesleyan, being named to the 1st Team All-NAIA squad 3 times. Kissinger drained 294 treys during his stint at Wesleyan, on his way to 1,709 career points. He is still ranked #3 on the All-Time career scoring list there.

Kissinger is currently Vice-President and benefits consultant at UNICO, an insurance company in Lincoln. Kipp is also a well known NCAA men’s basketball official. Often chastised by coaches and fans like John Higgins, this most times means that Kissinger is one of the top officials in the business. Both he and Higgins were ranked in the Top 20 Best NCAA Officials compiled by Ken Pomeroy, a college basketball stats and ranking guru. Kipp is currently Vice President, Employee Benefits Consultant at UNICO.

*1994 Class B All-State Team*

Mike Hancock-Wahoo** - 6-1, Senior (22.9 ppg/4.3 rpg)

Andy Markowski-Ord** - 6-8, Senior (23.0 ppg/17.8 rpg)

Matt Kaminski-McCook - 6-4, Senior (19.6 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Seth LeGrand-Nebraska City** - 6-8, Senior (23.0 ppg/10.3 rpg)

Greg Hain-Wahoo - 6-0, Senior (20.2 ppg/4.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

Eric Strand-Grand Island Central Catholic - 6-8, Junior (16.0 ppg/12.5 rpg)

Marcus Boesinger-Norris - 5-8, Senior (13.0 ppg/3.0 rpg)

Chad Otto-Norris - 6-2, Senior (14.0 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Chad Egger-Crete - 6-2, Senior (23.0 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Chad Kelsay-Auburn - 6-3, Junior (17.8 ppg/11.0 rpg)

*Andy Markowski went on to be a 2 year regular for Coach Danny Nee at Nebraska, where he started all 33 games his senior season in 1999. Markowski played in 96 consecutive games for the Huskers and last I heard was Sales Manager for Stryker Orthopaedics in Lincoln. Stryker sells medical equipment. Markowski was sometimes Kent Pavelka's sidekick on Nebraska men’s basketball radio broadcasts before recently stepping down from the gig.

*Mike Hancock was in the insurance industry in Wahoo and was Vice-President for INSPRO at last check and has an office in Wahoo. He went on to be a three year starter for UNK after graduating from Wahoo high school. As of 2014, Mike still held records there for career 3 pointers and career steals.

*Greg Hain of Wahoo also attended The University of Nebraska at Kearney on a basketball scholarship. After a career ending sports injury, Hain shifted his focus to Acting, Music and Art. He formed a rock band, recorded an album, and played over 100 shows before relocating to Minneapolis to study at The Academy for Film & Television.

Hain was attached to star for an Indie feature film in Fall 2013 to be shot in Venice, Italy and at the time, developing several projects including his own One-Man show.

As an artist, Hain has showcased his paintings and photos in solo exhibits and group shows throughout the country. Greg Hain lived in West Hollywood, California at last check.

*1994 Class A All-State Team:

Othello Meadows-Creighton Prep - 6-3, Senior (17.4 ppg/3.7 rpg)

T.J. Pugh-Creighton Prep - 6-9, Junior (20.7 ppg/8.0 rpg)

Bo Buettenback-Hastings - 6-5, Senior (20.2 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Alton Mason-Lincoln Northeast - 6-0, Sophomore (13.8 ppg/2.7 rpg)

Ben Ries-Norfolk - 6-1, Sophomore (21.8 ppg/4.8 rpg)

2nd Team:

Greg Gerlach-Lincoln Northeast - 6-7, Junior (13.0 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Alvin Mitchell-Omaha Burke - 6-0, Junior (22.1 ppg/3.7 rpg)

Mike Bargen-Lincoln East - 6-6, Junior (17.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Rick Kinner-Scottsbluff - 6-0, Senior (30.0 ppg/4.9 rpg)

Eddie Smith-Omaha Central - 5-11, Senior (25.5 ppg/3.8 rpg)

*1994 Super-State 1st Team:

Chad Ideus-Adams*** - 6-7, Senior (29.0 ppg/11.0 rpg)

Bo Buettenback-Hastings - 6-5, Senior (20.2 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Andy Markowski-Ord - 6-8, Senior (23.0 ppg/17.8 rpg)

Othello Meadows-Creighton Prep - 6-3, Senior (17.4 ppg/3.7 rpg)

T.J. Pugh-Creighton Prep - 6-9, Junior (20.7 ppg/8.0 rpg)

*1994 Super-State 2nd Team:

Matt Kaminski-McCook** - 6-4, Senior (19.6 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Greg Hain-Wahoo - 6-0, Senior (20.2 ppg/4.5 rpg)

Alton Mason-Lincoln Northeast - 6-0, Sophomore (13.8 ppg/2.7 rpg)

Ben Ries-Norfolk - 6-1, Sophomore (21.8 ppg/4.8 rpg)

Alvin Mitchell-Omaha Burke - 6-0, Junior (22.1 ppg/3.7 rpg)

*1994 Super-State 3rd Team:

Greg Gerlach-Lincoln Northeast - 6-7, Junior (13.0 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Mike Hancock-Wahoo** - 6-1, Senior (22.9 ppg/4.3 rpg)

Rick Kinner-Scottsbluff - 6-0, Senior (30.0 ppg/4.9 rpg)

Eddie Smith-Omaha Central - 5-11, Senior (25.5 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Seth LeGrand-Nebraska City** - 6-8, Senior (23.0 ppg/10.3 rpg)