Area boys basketball teams at a glance
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Class A
FREMONT
COACH: Mark Williams
2007-08 RECORD: 2-22, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Tigers will be led by seniors Andy Sajevic and Charlie Simmons, who averaged 9.2 and 6.1 points per game.
Class B
AURORA
COACH: Michael Herzberg
2007-08 RECORD: 2-18, unranked
OUTLOOK: With 10 players returning, experience will aid the Huskies this season. Sean McCarthy averaged 7.0 points last season.
BEATRICE
COACH: Jim Weeks
2007-08 RECORD: 21-3, No. 1
OUTLOOK: Beatrice has seniors that have been successful throughout their four-year careers. Good size and ability to play multiple positions should aid the defending state champion.
CRETE
COACH: Greg Hobza
2007-08 RECORD: 14-8, No. 8
OUTLOOK: A young and inexperienced team, the Cardinals return just one player — senior Adam Wademan.
HASTINGS
COACH: Mike Simmons
2007-08 RECORD: 17-23, unranked
OUTLOOK: Junior Ben Reimer is the only experienced returnee for Hastings. “It will be a learning experience early in the season,” Simmons said.
NEBRASKA CITY
COACH: Mark Ritchie
2007-08 RECORD: 3-16, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Pioneers could struggle to score points this season and rebounding is a concern.
NORRIS
COACH: Curt Carlson
2007-08 RECORD: 11-10, unranked
OUTLOOK: “This team should be able to transition with some success,” Carlson said. Darin Cheney averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds last season.
SEWARD
COACH: Jim Placke
2007-08 RECORD: 4-16, unranked
OUTLOOK: Two-year starter Phil Friedrich will be looked at as the leader after averaging 14.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
WAHOO
COACH: Kevin Scheef
2007-08 RECORD: 12-9, unranked
OUTLOOK: Four letterwinners return, including starters Taylor Murren (16.9 ppg) and Layne Moore (3.9 ppg).
WAVERLY
COACH: Gary Nunnally
2007-08 RECORD: 15-6, No. 6
OUTLOOK: After just missing the state tournament last season, the Vikings are hungry to build off that success while at the same time building their own identity.
YORK
COACH: Dan Malleck
2007-08 RECORD: 13-9, No. 7
OUTLOOK: York has five players returning letterwinners.
Class C-1
ASHLAND-GREENWOOD
COACH: Brad Jacobsen
2007-08 RECORD: 5-14, unranked
OUTLOOK: Brian Romans will lead the Bluejays after averaging 7.3 rebounds and 14.4 points.
AUBURN
COACH: Denny Crawford
2007-08 RECORD: 6-15, unranked
OUTLOOK: Grant Cole averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a junior last season.
BISHOP NEUMANN
COACH: Mike Weiss
2007-08 RECORD: 13-9, unranked
OUTLOOK: A mix of old and young should aid the Cavaliers this season. Brandon Chapek averaged nearly nine points as a junior last season.
CENTENNIAL
COACH: Bob Fish
2007-08 RECORD: 1-18, unranked
OUTLOOK: Fish, in his first season at Centennial, will rely on returning starters Nate Foley and Travis Arnold.
DAVID CITY
COACH: Courtney Couch
2007-08 RECORD: 17-4, unranked
OUTLOOK: Junior Aaron Schmid returns for his third year as a starter, averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds. Depth is a concern.
DONIPHAN-TRUMBULL
COACH: Zac Foster
2007-08 RECORD: 12-11, unranked
OUTLOOK: “Our court IQ will be an asset,” Foster said. Junior Taylor Fjeldheim averaged 12 points last season.
FALLS CITY
COACH: Don Hogue
2007-08 RECORD: not furnished
OUTLOOK: “We have to establish our identity for this team. Defense will be a key again for us to succeed,” Hogue said. Trent Scheitel returns after averaging more than 10 points and six rebounds last season.
FILLMORE CENTRAL
COACH: Mark Wragge
2007-08 RECORD: 3-18, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Panthers return three starters — seniors Andrew Webb, Riley Bohlken and Cody Chaney.
HASTINGS ST. CECILIA
COACH: Kevin Asher
2007-08 RECORD: 23-3, No. 1
OUTLOOK: “We have the nucleus back to have a good year. All the pieces are there,” Asher said. Four starters return, including senior Jake Hamburger (14 ppg, 6 rpg).
JOHNSON COUNTY CENTRAL
COACH: Chris Hutt
2007-08 RECORD: 10-12, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Thunderbirds will look to several juniors for leadership. Derek Kuhl returns after missing 2007-08 with an injury.
MILFORD
COACH: Tony Muller
2007-08 RECORD: 10-11, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Eagles will look to senior Brandon Bittinger, who averaged 4.8 assists per game last season, for leadership.
RAYMOND CENTRAL
COACH: Dale Rasmussen
2007-08 RECORD: 14-7, unranked
OUTLOOK: Jared Brenner, the Mustangs’ returning leading scorer, is questionable for the season after a football injury.
SYRACUSE
COACH: Mark Hrabik
2007-08 RECORD: 15-7, unranked
OUTLOOK: Four starters return, with a good mix of inside power and perimeter play.
Class C-2
AQUINAS
COACH: Jarred Royal
2007-08 RECORD: 5-15, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Monarchs have three returning starters, including Jake Ruth, who finished with nine points and 2.5 rebounds last year.
CROSS COUNTY
COACH: Bob Waltman
2007-08 RECORD: 9-12, unranked
OUTLOOK: Experience should aid the Cougar cause. Tyler Klein (14.7 ppg) and Isaac Moore (9.7 ppg) are the leading returning scorers.
EAST BUTLER
COACH: Mark Cidlik
2007-08 RECORD: not furnished.
OUTLOOK: Depth will be a key factor as the season progresses. Ryan Dolezal and Ryley Cidlik return after averaging in double digits last season.
ELMWOOD-MURDOCK
COACH: Terry Warner
2007-08 RECORD: 28-3, No. 1
OUTLOOK: Senior Jon Luetchens is the only returning starter for the Knights.
FREEMAN
COACH: Jim McLaughlin
2007-08 RECORD: 16-7, No. 7 in D-1
OUTLOOK: Four starters return, including Ryan Busboom, a senior who averaged 15.9 points and 4.7 rebounds last year.
FRIEND
COACH: Paul Martin
2007-08 RECORD: 1-19, unranked
OUTLOOK: Four starters return, led by sophomore Nathan Schluter (6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg).
HEARTLAND
COACH: Joe Lundstrom
2007-08 RECORD: 18-4, No. 6
OUTLOOK: Inexperience will be a problem, with one letterman returning.
HUMBOLDT-TR-S
COACH: Bill Nordloh
2007-08 RECORD: 13-10, unranked
OUTLOOK: An experienced team, with five returning starters.
LOURDES CENTRAL CATHOLIC
COACH: Joe Tynon
2007-08 RECORD: 17-9, unranked
OUTLOOK: A team with no seniors, but three returning starters in juniors Andy Fedoris, Ben Fedoris and Garrett Hoyle.
MALCOLM
COACH: Troy Pritchett
2007-08 RECORD: not furnished
OUTLOOK: Four returning starters will have the Clippers competitive this season, led by Paul Ganow (11 ppg).
PALMYRA
COACH: David Bottrell
2007-08 RECORD: 10-13, unranked
OUTLOOK: Junior Kyle Schomerus, who set the school record for points in a season as a sophomore, returns after averaging 20 points and six rebounds last season.
SOUTHERN
COACH: Jeff Scheibur
2007-08 RECORD: 19-5, No. 9
OUTLOOK: Five players were lost from last season, including four seniors and a transfer. Sophomore Daniel Barr is the only returning letterwinner.
SUTTON
COACH: Steve Spongberg
2007-08 RECORD: 13-9, unranked
OUTLOOK: Returning starters Taylor Schlautman and Chad Sheridan are expected to be leaders.
WILBER-CLATONIA
COACH: Tim Barada
2007-08 RECORD: 11-10, unranked
OUTLOOK: Wilber-Clatonia moves down to C-2 this year. Three starters return, led by juniors Andrew Pryor and Masen Needles, who both averaged over 11 points last season.
Class D-1
BRUNING-DAVENPORT
COACH: Fred Kluck
2007-08 RECORD: 20-6, unranked
OUTLOOK: The team has experienced players, led by Brent Houchin (15 points, 10 rebounds).
DESHLER
COACH: Jack Sobotka
2007-08 RECORD: 22-2, No. 5 in C-2
OUTLOOK: The Dragons lost 80 percent of their scoring and 70 percent of their rebounding from last season, but look to be strong with three returning lettermen and two starters.
DILLER-ODELL
COACH: Eric McMurray
2007-08 RECORD: 6-12, unranked
OUTLOOK: J.D. Faxon and Blake Vitosh are returning starters for the Griffins.
DORCHESTER
COACH: Scott Leisy
2007-08 RECORD: 8-11, unranked
OUTLOOK: With only 12 players out this season, depth is a concern. Several players with varsity experience return and a winning season and deep postseason run are within reach, according to Leisy.
EXETER-MILLIGAN
COACH: Dean Filipi
2007-08 RECORD: 11-10, unranked
OUTLOOK: Four starters were lost to graduation, and sophomore Blake Baller is the only returnee.
HARVARD
COACH: Paul Heusinkvelt
2007-08 RECORD: 7-12, unranked
OUTLOOK: Senior center Derek Worman returns after averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.
LAWRENCE-NELSON
COACH: Drew Billeter
2007-08 RECORD: 7-12, unranked
OUTLOOK: Coach Billeter is looking to surprise some teams late in the season. Four starters return, led by Steven Schroer.
LEWISTON
COACH: Scott Kraus
2007-08 RECORD: 2-18, unranked
OUTLOOK: Several players who saw starting time last season return. Spencer Knoche averaged 12 points last season.
MCCOOL JUNCTION
COACH: Trent Colle
2007-08 RECORD: 9-11, unranked
OUTLOOK: Dalen Hall leads three returning starters, all of whom are seniors.
MERIDIAN
COACH: Josh Hood
2007-08 RECORD: 2-18, unranked
OUTLOOK: Five starters return, three of them seniors.
PAWNEE CITY
COACH: Tyler Colvin
2007-08 RECORD: 10-13, unranked
OUTLOOK: Senior returning starters John Musil, Kent Niss and Seth Sejkora will lead the Indians.
SHELBY
COACH: Terry Chadek
2007-08 RECORD: 9-11, unranked
OUTLOOK: Seth Houdersheldt and Dylan Scow return after averaging in double digits last season.
Class D-2
CLAY CENTER
COACH: Rick Rath
2007-08 RECORD: 14-8, unranked
OUTLOOK: Returning starters Brodederick Dillion and Kyle Knight will be looked upon for leadership from a team that lacks experience.
FALLS CITY SACRED HEART
COACH: Doug Goltz
2007-08 RECORD: 26-2, No. 1
OUTLOOK: The Irish will have a small lineup, led by 5-11 senior starter Joe Santo (9.3 ppg).
HAMPTON
COACH: Jerry Eickhoff
2007-08 RECORD: 21-5, No. 3
OUTLOOK: Two starters — Dwayne Wall and Alex Dose — return. Lack of height is a concern, but Eickhoff expects his team to be competitive.
PRAGUE
COACH: Greg Jahde
2007-08 RECORD: 6-14, unranked
OUTLOOK: Nathan Sousek is the only returning starter.
RISING CITY
COACH: John Schoenrock
2007-08 RECORD: 2-16, unranked
OUTLOOK: Several players will start for the first time, as the team has fewer than 10 players. Senior John Potter is the only returning starter, averaging 3.2 steals last season.
SHICKLEY
COACH: Jamie Spurling
2007-08 RECORD: 6-13, unranked
OUTLOOK: Five starters return, led by Philip Hochstetler (14 ppg, 11 rpg).
STERLING
COACH: Jimmy Motz
2007-08 RECORD: 14-8, unranked
OUTLOOK: The Jets return 12 lettermen, including four starters. Zach Lempka averaged 15.2 points and 10.5 rebounds last season.
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