STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OBSERVATIONS

[Bobby Mills Jr. (1000 Yard Guy)]

Photo courtesy of Journal-Star
Another State Boys Basketball Tournament in the books and another three days full of wonderful memories. There were sweet and unforgettable times for some and of course, heartbreak for others. When the years pass though, a visit to the Biggest Show in High School Hoops will be a lasting memory for every team and it’s faithful.
GREAT TIMES! Here are some random thoughts that have lingered into Sunday…actually quite a few. Where, oh where do I begin?

*How about those Ralston Rams? Jumpin’ Jimmy Weeks even said it himself to some people. The Smiths were just unstoppable, and bigger and faster, and jumped higher. The technical assessed against Coach Weeks had nothing to do with the game turning around. What did it in my opinion was when Bill changed his defense to the 2-3 zone and stopped everything the Orangeman could do. The Rams then went on a 17-0 run that realistically sealed the deal. In fact, it (the “D”) became so dominating that Beatrice didn’t score in the 2nd stanza until there were only 44 ticks remaining.
How good are the Smith boys? The scored 44 of Ralston 61 points…..‘nuff said.
*What about Pauly Beranek’s Ravenna grabbing a State C-2 Title when it was not really expected….or was it? Not too many sports writers were shocked by this Championship earned by the Bluejays. I think scrappy Adam Mingus was on a mission after missing that shot a year ago that enabled GICC to stop his team from making the Finals.
Mingus is just that kind of a leader. The kid was all over the place. No, he couldn’t pull off his patented “drive in for a lay-up” drill, but distributed the ball anyway and sparked the Blue guys to the big “W”. AND, Drake Beranek told me early in the season that his little bro, Connor, is a better shot than he is….Holy Cow! The young Freshman's two NBA threes kind of lit Ravenna on fire and even made Pauly smile. Don’t kid yourself, that bunch of “Jays will be good for awhile. I think Connor, Cyboron’s little bro (Trevor) and that crew was beating everybody by a million points as 8th graders.
*Lincoln Southwest’s student section and “Operation Phoenix” was incredible. A change of shirts EVERY quarter…unreal, and when you have over a THOUSAND of ’em every day in that section, you’re gonna notice it. Never in all my days have I witnessed a student body like this at State. They even beat Prep to their 3rd quarter rendition of “Hey Baby”!
*Class A game…..ooohhhh boy. That’s been beaten to death, so I’ll spare you, but hats off to a Football guy. How about that big old Scott Criss coming in the second half…COLD…and halting the inside play of the Silverhawks? Josh is a pretty wise fellow to move Criss down low and Potter up high to form a sweet and effective High/Low Defense that won the game. Prep will always bee good, but look out for the blossoming program at Southwest.
*Cinderella slipper to Class D-1’s 8th seed, Mead. Yes, St. Frans plays a rugged schedule, but Mead’s slate was not all that bad either. The Flyers put the stops on Jordan Moline, who canned 29 the night before, but great teamwork and Mr Dependable, Eric Johnson, came through for the Raiders who hadn’t won a crown since ‘35.….remember that one, anybody?
*The Bluehawks from St. Cecilia won a second straight Class C-1 Championship with superior depth and some pretty salty players all the way around. I really grew tired of hearing this team couldn’t come from behind. Ask Chadron and Pierce about that one. One thing that's obvious is that this crew of outstanding athletes, who could compete with almost anybody, had some pretty high powered outside help with strategies and game plans. Whatever works, 2 straight C-1 Crowns “ain’t” bad.

*I was really impressed with certain players I had not had an opportunity to see this season. Here are a few:
#Tommy Bardsley-Beatrice - Where did this guy come from? I’m sure BB people are familiar with him, but this kid has some College Basketball potential. Maybe not at the D-1 level, but some In-State colleges would get a gem if they took a serious look at him…..driver, serious hops, fine ball handler, smarts……good package.
#Tim McDavid-Scottsbluff - If you didn’t see him a couple of years back, you had to be impressed this time around. Pretty nervous the first day, but he has the tools to play at the next level in this State at a UNK or somewhere like that. He can jump to the moon and has very soft hands.
#Whoa doggies, this is the first time I’ve seen Waverly’s Tyler Evans…wow! The match-up between the two All-Staters with he and Trevor Menke the opening round kept me tossing and turning all night late Thursday. Evans will also be in my 1000 Yard Club next year as he directs the Vikings ’Bone. Great player and two year All-Stater to be. Incidentally, Menke should have a gigantic DOLLAR sign on his back! He is money in about any situation. Greg Smith is the only one to put the stops on him.
#Sterling’s Clutch Man, 6-5 Junior Zack Lempka. His last second shot for the “W” sent Jimmie Motz into “Jimmy V” mode immediately following. I know Austin Kaczor had 22, but Lempka did an outstanding job all day and deserves other kudos than “just” the winning basket award.
#Yea, I’ve seen him before and so have you, but Pierce’s Jacob Woslager is the real deal, Bubba! He should be on 2nd or 3rd team Super State IMO.
#Isiah Gandy-Boys Town. This guy may be one of the best players in the upper Classes and the C-1 10/11 Coaches All-State team omitted him. Huh?
This guy may be the most athletic basketball player in C-1. I like Mr. Gandy, great kid.

*Finally, just some random shorties, a few quick passing thoughts that still linger:
^Coach Krehbiel of Boys Town…One class act, baby! Thanks for letting me hear your speech to the players before the Pierce game. Never will forget it, Tom. You’re one-of-a-kind and have all my respect. They don't come along like him very often.
^Lincoln SE’s band was awesome as usual…sweet uni’s and kickin charts!
^Jim Angele-NSAA and Butch Hug/Facilities Director…..Thanks for the great seats in the old press section each year! Could live to be a hundred and never pay you back for this courtesy…..and I’m a Football guy!
^Still so impressed to witness how many people were there as families. With life so hectic, it’s so cool to see Dad’s, Mom’s and the entire unit to be laughing and having fun, taking time out to enjoy the family thing like it was meant to be. PRICELESS.
^Thanks for shaking my hand at Pershing during warm-ups, Moose. You made an old guy’s day. You have my respect and good luck at the next level….you’re a fine man.
^So very proud of the Grand Island officials who worked the Tournament, especially Brooksie Wells, who at the age of 22 became the youngest guy to ever officiate a Boys State Tournament. Joe Wells, you taught him well…..I know how you feel about the entire deal and Brooks, Grampa Gene saw you the entire time…believe it!
^To the cat sweeping the floor at Devaney that held up the sign to the student sections of LSW and CP, saying “You make my job fun”. Good for you….you ARE important and we all appreciate the hard work you people do. Super cool.

Time to put away the uniforms for another year……we know better than that, don’t we? Just ask any dedicated Basketball Coach. Next season starts Monday, the 16th! This State Tournament, as they all are, was a complete joy. So many great people to see. Life is Good!