The Nebraska High School Basketball All-State Project - Saluting 2001

This concludes my pre/State Tournament (Girls) series saluting past Boys All-State teams and State Tournament reviews. I have completed reviews all the way up to 2009 so I may resume this during the late high school Spring Sports season. I have received some nice compliments concerning these articles for which I am forever grateful. Many thanks.

Here is our usual review of State Basketball Tournaments and All-State teams. This time it’s 2001.

*2001*

*Class D-2:*

Tournament Qualifiers: McPherson County (Alan Miller); Waterloo (Ron Michael); Greeley (Dennis Hurlburt); Ewing (Craig Appleby); Shickley(Dan Sorge); Sterling (Stan Karr); Lindsay Holy Family (Russ Schumacher); Lodgepole (Tom Weber).

Quarterfinals:

(22-2) Ewing 64, McPherson County 50 (7-7)

(20-2) Waterloo 64, Lindsay Holy Family 54 (19-5)

(22-1) Greeley 56, Shickley 36 (12-9)

(19-2) Sterling 52, Lodgepole 35 (20-2)

Semifinals:

(23-2) Ewing 53, Waterloo 51 (21-2)

(23-1) Greeley 63, Sterling 55 (20-2)

Finals:

(24-1) Greeley 62, Ewing 56 (24-2)

D-2 Champion: Greeley (25-1) - Head Coach: Dennis Hurlburt , Asst: Troy Reichert

*The D-2 All-Tournament team: Nolan Reilly-Greeley (6-4, Sr.), Adam Schueth-Ewing (6-3, Sr.), Tom Regan-Ewing (6-5, Jr.), Greg Agena-Sterling (6-5, Sr.), Whit Smith-Waterloo (6-8, Sr.)

*The Class D-2 tournament scoring leader was a no contest, as Ewing’s Adam Schueth ran away with his 66 points over 3 days. Schueth had games of 28, 24 and 14 points to create a gap of 19 tallies between him and Greeley’s Nolan Reilly, who scored 45 in three days. It was Reilly though, that had a D-2 Championship medal around his neck when Greeley bested Ewing 62-56 in the D-2 final.

*In the Class D-2 final it was the late, great dear friend Dennis Hurlburt and his 3rd rated Greeley Bulldogs outscoring #1 Ewing, 62-56 to steal the Class D-2 championship. Coach Hurlburt’s “run ‘em till they’re done”, man-to-man defense wore down the Ewing offense, forcing Greg Appleby’s offense into turnovers.

Despite having no legs in the 4th quarter, Ewing pulled to within 59-56 with 1:01 left in the championship contest on an Allen Scheth trey and a Jeff Blair free throw. But it was the balanced scoring of the Greeley Bulldogs that carried them the rest of the way.

Luke Dutcher’s 15 points led the way for Hurlburt’s guys. Scott Dugan added 14, while Nolan Reilly chipped in 10 points to pace the Bulldogs.

Adam Schueth and Dustin Wright led the Ewing charge with 14 points apiece.

*Class D-1:*

Tournament Qualifiers: Falls City Sacred Heart (Doug Goltz); Omaha Nation (Brad Vogt); Hyannis (Chris Kraus); Spencer-Naper (Jim Carlson); Pleasanton (Randy Bauer); Shelby (Terry Chadek); Clay Center (Steve Seniff); Arapahoe (Bob Braithwait)

Quarterfinals:

(21-5) Falls City Sacred Heart 52, Omaha Nation 38 (21-3)

(18-1) Hyannis 61, Pleasanton 54 (17-6)

(25-0) Spencer-Naper 60, Clay Center 48 (14-8)

(18-4) Arapahoe 56, Shelby 36 (19-4)

Semifinals:

(22-5) Falls City Sacred Heart 68, Hyannis 63 (19-1)

(26-0) Spencer-Naper 51, Arapahoe 41 (19-4)

Finals:

(23-5) Falls City Sacred Heart 59, Spencer-Naper 44 (27-0)

D-1: (24-5) Falls City Sacred Heart; Head Coach: Doug Goltz, Asst: Matt Cumro, Mark Junker.

*The D-1 All-Tournament team; Shelby Jordan-Falls City Sacred Heart (6-2, Soph), Matt Sells-Fall City Sacred Heart (6-1, Soph), Scott Kraus-Hyannis (5-11, Sr.), Jake Ogren-Hyannis (6-2, Sr.), John Connot-Spencer-Naper (6-1, Soph). How about those three sophomores?

*The D-1 Tournament scoring title went to Chicago native Shelby Jordan of Falls City Sacred Heart, who outscored classmate Matt Sells, 58 to 37 during their three game championship drive. The lightning quick Jordan put together games of 16, 25 and 17 points to lead the Irish to the Class D-1 crown.

*The D-1 championship game saw Falls City Sacred Heart win their 6th State Title under legendary Coach Goltz, one of my true coaching heroes. In fact, at the time, the incredible coaching legend had a perfect record in the state tournament.

It was sophomore Shelby Jordan, who transferred to Sacred Heart from a Chicago school, that provided the fireworks for the Irish. Considering the fact they beat defensive minded Spencer-Naper (27-0) rather handily (59-44), made it even more impressive.

Jordan and classmate Matt Sells combined for 32 points in the win, with Jordan hitting 8 of 13 from the field and 1 of 2 free throws (17 points) to lead the way for the Irish.

Sacred Heart bolted to a 24-10 opening quarter lead and never looked back in the game.

*Class C-2:*

Tournament Qualifiers: Elmwood-Murdock (Terry Warner); Loup City (Paul Henry); Sutton (Steve Spongberg); East Butler (Ray Wall); Grant (Brian Bullington); Republican Valley (John Arnold); Laurel-Concord (Clayton Steele); West Point Central Catholic (Duane Mendlik).

Quarterfinals:

(19-4) Elmwood-Murdock 62, Loup City 54 (19-4)

(16-7) West Point Central Catholic 69, Sutton 37 (22-1)

(16-6) Grant 59, Republican Valley 54 (20-4)

(19-4) Laurel-Concord 70, East Butler 44 (18-5)

Semifinals:

(20-4) Elmwood-Murdock 52, West Point Central Catholic 43 (17-7)

(20-4) Laurel-Concord 59, Grant 49 (14-9)

Finals:

(21-4) Laurel-Concord 43, Elmwood-Murdock 26 (21-4)

C-2 Champion: Laurel-Concord (22-4); Head Coach: Clayton Steele; Asst: Mike Hailey

*The C-2 All-Tournament Team was: Matt Schroeder-Laurel-Concord (6-4, Sr.), Blake Erwin-Laurel-Concord (6-4, Jr.), Chris Haertel-Elmwood-Murdock (6-1, Jr.), Luke Ridder-West Point Central Catholic (6-4, Sr.), Kody Salsman-Grant (6-1, Jr.).

*Class C-2 Tournament scoring went to Laurel-Concord’s Matt Schroeder, who scored 61 points in three games (23, 21, 17 points) for the Bears. Schroeder, who had two sweet blocks in the C-2 final win over Elmwood-Murdock, was 17 ahead of Chris Haertel of Elmwood-Murdock in the scoring race.

The Class C-2 Championship game saw Laurel-Concord recording a low scoring 43-26 win over Elmwood-Murdock. The State Basketball Championship was a sweet compliment to the Bears State Football title earned in the Fall.

Elmwood-Murdock actually had good success to begin the game, cruising to an 8-2 lead against Laurel-Concord’s man defense. But Bears coach Clayton Steele quickly switched to a 2-1-2 look and limited E-M to 24% shooting the remainder of the game.

The Bears also received an emotional lift from senior Nathan Beckman, who had injured his foot badly in Laurel-Concord’s 62-54 first round win over Loup City. So serious was the injury, Beckman had to be transported from the game by ambulance to the hospital to be checked out. He watched the semifinals on crutches with his left leg in an air cast.

The gritty Beckman, who was not expected to play in the title game on Saturday, entered the fray in the 3rd quarter with Laurel-Concord leading by only five points. The senior immediately made two steals, igniting the Bears and giving his team the emotional lift they needed at the right time.

Beckman gutted it out the rest of the way, even connecting from downtown to give the Bears a 35-21 cushion, giving the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament yet another amazing tale of heroism.

*Class C-1*:

Tournament Qualifiers: Hastings St. Cecilia (Scott Rosno); Pierce (Todd Strom); Wahoo Neumann (Paul Johnson); Ainsworth (Rick Kissack) Milford (Tony Muller); Chase County (Bill Vires); Columbus Lakeview (Jake Shadley); Bennington (Larry Klaus).

Quarterfinals:

(19-4) Hastings St. Cecilia 55, Pierce 46 (18-4)

(20-2) Wahoo Neumann 92, Ainsworth 56 (15-7)

(20-2) Milford 75, Chase County 62 (16-6)

(20-2) Columbus Lakeview 64, Bennington 45 (17-2)

Semifinals:

(21-2) Wahoo Neumann 80, Hastings St. Cecilia 55 (20-4)

(21-2) Columbus Lakeview 60, Milford 39 (21-2)

Finals:

(22-2) Columbus Lakeview 55, Wahoo Neumann 53 (22-2)

C-1 Champion: Columbus Lakeview (23-2). Head Coach: Jake Shadley, Asst: Brad Luchsinger, Rick Thomas.

*The C-1 All-Tournament Team consisted of Columbus Lakeview juniors Dusty Jura (6-6) and Calvin Kapels (6-4), Brent Prochaska-Wahoo Neumann (6-2, Sr.), Casey Trambley-Hastings St. Cecilia (6-4, Sr.), and John Upton-Milford (6-1, Sr.).

The C-1 tournament scoring crown went to Dusty Jura of Lakeview, who strung together games of 29, 19 and 18 points for his total of 66 points. Jura edged Neumann’s big Brent Prochaska, who scored 64 points and out-dueled Jura 22 to 18 in the C-1 Final.

The C-1 championship game was a thriller. Lakeview was rolling along with a 13 point second quarter lead when Wahoo Neumann battled back. The Cavs actually took a 34-33 lead with 4:58 left in the third quarter on a 12 foot baseline jumper by Brent Prochaska. But 20 seconds later, Lakeview, who was on a mission, took the lead for good on a Dusty Jura basket off a Calvin Kapels assist.

It wasn’t as easy as it sounds though. Columbus Lakeview nearly gave it away when their free throw shooting went cold. The Vikings canned only 5 of 14 in that money quarter, enabling the Cavaliers to pull within 51-48 with 2:44 left in the game. Brent Prochaska once again provided the lift for Neumann.

Lakeview’s win was still up in the air when Mitch Reeves nailed a bucket in the paint to pull the Cavs within 53-50 with :14.8 seconds left. Lakeview’s Trevor Osten made a pair of charity tosses a tick later, giving the Vikings a 5 point advantage.

Prochaska then drilled a three pointer for Neumann as time expired to create the 55-53 spread at the end.

*Class B:*

*Tournament Qualifiers: Alliance (Rocky Almond); Aurora (Mike Herzberg); Ralston (Terry Lantz); Lincoln Pius X (Ray Forycki); McCook (Joel Hueser); Crete (David Bell); Beatrice (Jim Weeks); South Sioux City (Mark Casey).

Quarterfinals:

(17-3) Lincoln Pius X 68, Aurora 63 (16-6)

(22-1) Alliance 61, South Sioux City 33 (16-6)

(21-3) Ralston 69, McCook 67 (16-8)

(19-2) Beatrice 64, Crete 51 (13-7)

Semifinals:

(22-1) Alliance 84, Lincoln Pius X 63 (16-6)

(19-2) Beatrice , Ralston (17-5)

Finals:

(23-1) Alliance 53, Beatrice 50 (16-6)

Class B Champion: Alliance (24-1). Head Coach: Rocky Almond, Asst: Ed Sughroue, Michael Baker, Kevin Conley.

*The Class B All-Tournament Team was dominated by Alliance, who placed three players on the squad. 6-2 Bulldog seniors Tony Essay and Matt Lyster, along with 6-10 senior Tony Wilbrand were named. Beatrice seniors Rafael Oman (6-2, Sr.) and his teammate Jarod Obering (5-10, Sr.) rounded out the team.

*The Tournament scoring leader was grabbed by Beatrice star Rafael Oman, who scored 55 points in three games (18, 20, 17 points). Tony Wilbrand was next with 50 points (17, 11, 22 points) Wilbrand also swatted 4 shots in the title game.

*The Class B final saw Alliance big post Tony Wilbrand pour in 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting from the field in the ‘Dogs 53-50 win over Beatrice. The Orange led by 4 points midway through the 4th quarter, but it was Alliance ace Matt Lyster, who scored 12 of his 17 points in that 4th quarter, who came through for my old buddy Rocky Almond’s Bulldog team.

I recall Coach Almond telling me that Wilbrand had to touch the ball 75% of the time in order to have a shot to beat Beatrice. And……...so be it.

Alliance ended up unbeaten against Nebraska competition, its only loss coming at the hand of Hays, Kansas in a mid-season tournament.

*An amazing matchup occurred in this game. 6-2 Rafael Oman of Beatrice was matched against 6-10 Tony Wilbrand of Alliance. I was stunned by the hops of Oman, who more than held his own against Tall Tony, despite giving up 8 inches. Wilbrand’s final statline; 22 points, 10 boards. Oman’s stats; 17 points, 15 rebounds. The dude could jump!

*Class A:*

Tournament Qualifiers: Bellevue West (Doug Woodard); Lincoln High (Russ Uhing); Lincoln Southeast (Jeff Smith); Millard South (Larry Ribble); Lincoln East (Ed McPherren); Columbus (Bob Hopp); Omaha Burke (Gary Graner); Omaha Benson (Terry Shelsta).

Quarterfinals:

(14-7) Omaha Burke 57, Millard South 45 (19-3)

(13-8) Lincoln East 56, Lincoln High 44 (14-6)

(12-9) Bellevue West 71, Lincoln Southeast 67 (20-1)

(15-5) Columbus 70, Omaha Benson 61 (15-6) (Overtime)

Semifinals:

(14-8) Lincoln East 60, Omaha Burke 47 (15-7)

(16-5) Columbus 74, Bellevue West 61 (13-9)

Finals:

(15-8) Lincoln East 36, Columbus 35 (17-5)

Class A Champion: Lincoln East (16-8). Head Coach: Ed McPherren Asst: Jeff Campbell, Joe Schlegelmilch, Rick Kabourek.

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke (6-4, Jr.), Tony Wibrand-Alliance (6-10, Sr), Jesse Shaw-Lincoln East (6-4, Sr.), Dwight Williams-Lincoln East (6-5, Sr.), Drew Snyder-Columbus (6-4, Sr.)

*The Tournament scoring honors battle was between Columbus teammates Elijah Starzl and Drew Snyder. Starzl “outscored” Snyder 10 to 9 in the 36-35 yawner, otherwise known as the Class A final. Starzl ended up with 53 points during the three day stay (18, 25 and 10 points) Snyder was two points back with 51.

*The Class A All-Tournament Team consisted of Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke (6-4, Jr.), Tony Wibrand-Alliance (6-10, Sr), Jesse Shaw-Lincoln East (6-4, Sr.), Dwight Williams-Lincoln East (6-5, Sr.), Drew Snyder-Columbus (6-4, Sr.)

*The Class A championship game certainly didn’t cause the Bob Devaney Sports Center scoreboard to short circuit. In the end, it was the Spartans Jesse Shaw that blocked a Brian Masek shot with 47 seconds left, then converted a pair of free throws to lift Lincoln East to a defensive 36-35 win over Columbus in the Class A final.

The Spartans Dwight Williams, who led his team with 13 points, had three breakaway two-handed dunks to bring the 12,195 in attendance to their feet.

It was especially sweet for Ed McPherren and his East forces, who were 9-8 before reeling off 7 straight wins that culminated with the Class A championship win over the Discoverers.

* * * * * * * * * *

*2001 Class D-2 All-State Team*

Matt Kucera-Litchfield** - 6-3, Senior (19.0 ppg/12.1 rpg)

Nolan Reilly-Greeley** - 6-4 Senior (16.2 ppg/5.1 rpg)

Adam Schueth-Ewing** - 6-3, Senior (23.0 ppg/12.0 rpg)

Whit Smith-Waterloo - 6-8, Senior (16.1 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Jackson Krejci-Exeter - 6-4, Senior (18.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

Nate Doremus-Benedict - 6-4, Senior (21.8 ppg/10.4 rpg)

Nate Polak-Waterloo - 6-3 Senior (16.2 ppg/8.9 rpg)

Tom Regan-Ewing - 6-5, Junior (18.9 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Tim Krab-Paxton - 6-3, Senior (20.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

Kyle Lechtenberg-Butte - 5-11, Senior (22.2 ppg/9.0 rpg)

*2001 Class D-1 All-State Team:

Andy Ketelsen-Osmond** - 6-2, Senior (18.8 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Shelby Jordan-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-2, Sophomore (18.9 ppg/9.4 rpg)

Marcus Gillespie-Shelby - 6-0, Senior (18.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Matt Sells-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-2, Sophomore (13.9 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Brad Braithwait-Arapahoe - 6-0, Senior (14.1 ppg/4.2 rpg)

2nd Team:

Kyle Fletcher-Spencer-Naper - 5-8, Senior (4.2 ppg/2.1 rpg)

Lance Classen-Spencer-Naper - 6-3, Junior (13.0 ppg/4.3 rpg)

Jordan Downey-Anselmo-Merna - 6-3, Junior (1.3 ppg/5.1 rpg)

Andrew Ortmeier-Osmond - 6-5, Junior (20.0 ppg/13.6 rpg)

Ben Ideus-Lewiston - 6-0, Junior (18.0 ppg/5.0 rpg)

*2001 Class C-2 All-State Team*

Kyle Struebing-East Butler** - 6-4, Senior (22.3 ppg/9.3 rpg)

Neil Wortman-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-4, Senior (18.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Matt Schroeder-Laurel-Concord - 6-5, Senior (19.0 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Mike Jones-Sutton - 6-0, Senior (14.0 ppg/6.4 rpg)

Clint Duis-Odell - 6-3, Senior (27.2 ppg/9.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

John Kreikemeier-West Point Central Catholic - 6-2, Senior (13.7 ppg/4.8 rpg)

Derric Werner-Elkhorn Valley -Elkhorn Valley- 6-6, Junior (18.2 ppg/14.1 rpg)

Bronson Schliep-Centura - 6-7, Senior (20.0 ppg/6.8 rpg)

Todd Spohn-Friend - 6-2, Junior (16.2 ppg/9.7 rpg)

Nathan Beckman-Laurel-Concord - 6-3, Senior (14.0 ppg/4.0 rpg)

*2001 Class C-1 All-State Team*

Dusty Jura-Columbus Lakeview - 6-6, Junior (20.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Calvin Kapels-Columbus Lakeview - 6-4, Junior (22.8 ppg/8.8 rpg)

Brett Prochaska-Wahoo Neumann - 6-1, Senior (17.3 ppg/4.0 rpg)

Jarred Royal-Syracuse - 6-4, Junior (17.0 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Josh Lamberson-Wilber-Clatonia - 6-1, Senior (19.1 ppg/5.5 rpg)

2nd Team:

Jared Schmidt-Bennington - 6-4, Junior (22.1 ppg/13.9 rpg)

Jared Myers-Centura - 6-0, Senior (17.3 ppg/5.0 rpg)

John Upton-Milford - 6-1, Senior (14.8 ppg/2.9 rpg)

Nathan Lashley-Mitchell - 6-1, Senior (24.1 ppg/8.8 rpg)

Matt Herian-Pierce - 6-4, Junior (16.6 ppg/8.5)

*2001 Class B All-State Team*

Tony Wilbrand-Alliance - 6-10, Senior (16.4 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Rafael Oman-Beatrice - 6-2, Senior (17.6 ppg/10.0 rpg)

Jarod Obering-Beatrice - 5-10, Senior (11.2 ppg/2.8 rpg)

Micah Kohls-Aurora - 6-7, Senior (20.6 ppg/10.1 rpg)

Turner Trofholz-Schuyler - 6-7, Junior (21.7 ppg/13.7 rpg)

2nd Team:

Nate Wittstruck-Crete - 5-11, Senior (13.2 ppg/3.2 rpg)

Mitch Heiman-Lincoln Pius X - 6-3, Senior (14.3 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Ben Bixenmann-Lincoln Pius X - 6-0, Senior (11.3 ppg/3.8 rpg)

Matt Lyster-Alliance - 6-2, Senior (15.0 ppg/5.6 rpg)

Shawn Swan-Ralston - 6-1, Junior (16.5 ppg/6.2)

*Tony Wilbrand played four seasons for Nebraska, earning two letters while appearing in 91 games.

*Aurora’s Mikah Kohls was awarded the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year award in 2001.

*2001 Class A All-State Team:

Shawn Muhleisen-Lincoln Southeast - 6-4, Senior (15.9 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Jimmy Motz-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-7, Senior (19.6 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Jesse Shaw-Lincoln East - 6-4, Senior (16.4 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke - 6-4, Junior (17.8ppg/6.8 rpg)

Brett Seger-Omaha Westside - 6-5, Junior (28.8 ppg/9.6 rpg)

2nd Team:

Arthur Boults-Omaha Benson - 6-3, Senior (21.3 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Ryan Curtis-Millard South - 6-7, Senior (20.0 ppg/8.1 rpg)

Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island - 6-9, Junior (16.3 ppg/4.2 rpg)

Drew Snyder-Columbus - 6-4, Senior (16.9 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Seth Miller-Lincoln High - 6-4, Senior (16.4 ppg/5.8 rpg)

*Our good friend Jimmy Motz went on to play in 87 games for Creighton, breaking Kyle Korver’s record for 3 point accuracy, canning a remarkable 48.6% from beyond the arc. The 6-7 forward was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team as a junior in the 2004/2005 season.

Coach Motz is now the head man at Norris High after successful stints at Sterling, Central City and Columbus High. Motz is a terrific, terrific basketball mind.

*2001 Super-State 1st Team:

Shawn Muhleisen-Lincoln Southeast - 6-4, Senior (15.9 ppg/4.4 rpg)

Jimmy Motz-Lincoln Northeast** - 6-7, Senior (19.6 ppg/6.0 rpg)

Tony Wilbrand-Alliance - 6-10, Senior (16.4 ppg/10.5 rpg)

Jason Dourisseau-Omaha Burke - 6-4, Junior (17.8ppg/6.8 rpg)

Brett Seger-Omaha Westside - 6-5, Junior (28.8 ppg/9.6 rpg)

*2001 Super-State 2nd Team:

Arthur Boults-Omaha Benson - 6-3, Senior (21.3 ppg/6.5 rpg)

Ryan Curtis-Millard South - 6-7, Senior (20.0 ppg/8.1 rpg)

Wes Wilkinson-Grand Island - 6-9, Junior (16.3 ppg/4.2 rpg)

Jesse Shaw-Lincoln East - 6-4, Senior (16.4 ppg/6.1 rpg)

Rafael Oman-Beatrice - 6-2, Senior (17.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

*2001 Super-State 3rd Team:

Drew Snyder-Columbus - 6-4, Senior (16.9 ppg/7.6 rpg)

Seth Miller-Lincoln High - 6-4, Senior (16.4 ppg/5.8 rpg)

Dusty Jura-Columbus Lakeview - 6-6, Junior (20.0 ppg/9.0 rpg)

Calvin Kapels-Columbus Lakeview - 6-4, Junior (22.8 ppg/8.8 rpg)

Shelby Jordan-Falls City Sacred Heart - 6-2, Sophomore (18.9 ppg/9.4 rpg)