Class A Power Rankings: Week 2
The Metro took to the hardwood for more games this past weekend, and we were fortunate enough to continue to bring you extensive coverage of all the action. We’ve taken to the polls again for week two, and here’s what we came up with:
10. Papillion-La Vista Monarchs (NR)
The Monarchs from down south slide into our week two power rankings after going 2-0 to improve to 3-1 overall. Their week consisted of an impressive win over previously third-ranked Kearney; a game where they led by four early and then did not see another lead until Hayden Bahl hit two free throws with about two minutes to play. This is not a small Monarchs team size wise, so expect them to hang around awhile.
9. Lincoln North Star Navigators (NR)
The 3-1 ‘Gators started off their season with a tough double-digit loss to Elkhorn South, but that didn’t slow them down. They continued on to win two straight games by double digits, and then took to the road and picked up a gritty overtime win over Omaha South. Their schedule bulks up here before the holiday, so we’ll see how they fare in coming weeks.
8. Omaha Burke (1)
The Bulldogs rolled into the ever alive environment that is their Heider Center to play their lone week two game after what looked like a statement win over Central in week one, and they got rolled. Mitchell and Moreano alone had to put up half their 60 points. Creighton Prep is a really solid squad, but that’s a demoralizing loss for the ‘dogs.
7. Omaha Central (4)
The Eagles, who currently own a 2-1 record and have yet to play at home, narrowly escaped Skutt on the road; a game in which they were down by 11 at halftime. Their offense scored 48 in the second half compared to 18 in the first, but they’re looking less and less convincing with time. It’s always hard to drop a team after a win, but there was a ton of parity this week and we only saw the Eagles once.
6. Grand Island Islanders (9)
Jeremiah Slough’s squad from a 145 miles southwest of the city continued to roll in week two as they are 4-0 and have yet to play a contest that was decided by less than nine points. They’re an experienced club as three out of every four players are upperclassmen. They don’t have depth in the size department, but they’ve found a waythus far.
5. Omaha Bryan (6)
After dropping their first matchup at home to Central in the final, the Bears have not looked back. They were without starting guard Johnny Montalvo this week, who was competing in the USA Boxing National Championships and obtained runner up status, but that didn’t slow them down either. They’ve stood the test of close calls and adversity, but will they stand the test of time?
4. Bellevue West Thunderbirds (8)
The TBirds won their two games this week by a combined score of 166-110, which was highlighted by posting 91 points against Omaha Benson on Friday. Freshman guard Chucky Hepburn has taken the driver’s seat for Bellevue West as he’s already scored 62 points total for an average of 15 a game. He’s a freshman.
3. Lincoln East Spartans (10)
Coach Campbell’s squad is off to the Spartans' best four game start since 2014-15 when they went 3-1. The Spartans knocked off a tough Kearney team, who now holds a 2-2 record, thanks to Hayden Barrett’s lone basket of the night which came with .7 on the clock. That 2014-15 team had eight underclassmen on the roster, so this season, which has the looks of being magical, has been in the works for a couple years.
2. Millard South Patriots (5)
The Patriots have a floor general in the likes of Tyrell Carroll that’s going to lead his team to giving the Metro trouble this season. But here’s the catch: he’s not near their only asset. This is a Millard South squad that shares the wealth, and they did that in a blowout of Westside and a 16-4 fourth quarter to come back at Lincoln Pius X this week.
1. Omaha Creighton Prep Junior Jays (2)
Now that I’ve seen them play as a team, I’m sold on this Prep team. They move the ball so well, and they have multiple assets both on the wing and in the middle. Akol Arop just keeps showing up, and Jayden Temme went off for 23 against then top-ranked Burke. The Jr. Jays take the week two crown.
Others receiving votes: Omaha South, Bellevue East
