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New Athletes Play Their Way Into Top 25  Mike Gesell: The No. 1 high school basketball prospect in Nebraska. By Will Cummings The MHN final Top 25 Nebraska High School Basketball Prospect ranking for 2009/2010 features a couple of new athletes that have moved into the Top Ten as well as several other well-earned additions to the Top 25. The most dramatic entry into the Top 25 is made by Omaha Central freshman Akoy Agau, who bounded from the pool of unranked all the way to the No. 5 spot. ESPN ranks Agau nationally as one of top 100 prospects in his class. Another player smashing his way from outside the rankings and into the Top Ten is Hastings St Cecilia’s 6-10, junior, center Zach Sterup (No. 9), who already holds a D-1 offer from Iowa to play football. Any schools looking for some beef and athleticism under the basket will be giving Sterup some hard looks. The Rest of the Top Ten The No. 1 high school basketball prospect in Nebraska is South Sioux City sophomore Mike Gesell. Already holding five D-1 offers (Creighton, Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Nebraska), Gesell has certainly lived up to all the hype that preceded him even before he played his first high school game last year. A masterful ball handler and shooter, the superstar gave further credence to his prowess this year by leading his team to a Class B state title. Minnesota University bound big man Elliot Eliason (6-11) from Chadron holds onto the No. 2 spot. At No. 3 is Ralston’s Dwight Smith, who will be attending Colorado State next season. No. 4 in our ranking is the most talented and athletically gifted basketball player in the State of Nebraska: Deverell Biggs. Only the lack of D-1 offers precludes him from being ranked higher. The 6-1 senior walks away from the high school hardwood with three state basketball titles and one State Meet high jump All-Class gold medal—and he could earn another this track season. The No. 6 spot is held by 6-1 Lincoln Southeast guard Derrius Vick, who may be following Smith to Colorado State. That is if he doesn’t get another D-1 basketball offer or football scholarship. Both are strong possibilities for the talented junior. Creighton Prep’s Caleb Steffensmeier chimes in at No. 7. The 5-11 senior floor-general holds an offer from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Chardon’s versatile forward/guard Zac Bargen (6-5) is No. 8. Rounding out the Top 10 is junior center Jose Bonilla. Displaying marked improvement from his sophomore campaign, the seven-footer should have a lot of schools taking a closer look at him. New Entries Into the Top 25 Mike Dentlinger (No. 11), a 6-6 senior forward from Millard North had a monster senior season, averaging over 22 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game; Dalton Sealy (No. 15), a 6-2 senior guard out of Hastings St Cecilia played a major role in leading his team to a Class C state title. And last but not least is Norfolk’s 5-9, sophomore, guard Jalen Bradley (No. 20). Bradley set a Class A state tournament record with 12 three-pointers. Keep an eye out on this kid. Next Ranking The next MHN Top 25 ranking will be posted in August 2010, after the summer leagues have concluded.
 MHN 2009-2010 Nebraska HS Basketball Dream Team By Will Cummings The myHitNews 2009-2010 Nebraska High School Basketball Dream Team represents the 15 basketball players in the state of Nebraska that I believe would have the best shot of successfully competing against similar fictional state all-star teams. The hypothetical scenario goes like this: The state of Nebraska will be competing in a USA high school state basketball championship. The mission is to bring into camp, for a two week period, 3 coaches and 15 players that will give Nebraska the best opportunity for success. 12 players will make the travel squad but only 10 will suit up.
Below are the players and coaches that I would invite:
 Stars in the making: Akoy Agau, (right) flanked by Norfolk's state tournament record-breaking sharpshooter Jalen Bradley, during a lull in first half action at the Class A state finals. Central's Darian Barrientos-Jackson (center). By Will Cummings 6-foot-7 freshman Akoy Agau was the difference-maker that propelled the Omaha Central Eagles to a 71-58 victory over the No.1 seeded Norfolk Panthers. The win gave Central their fourth Class A state basketball title in the past five years. Dynasty? Yes. The Cardinals had no answer for the big, long-armed and athletic Sudanese who finished the game with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 9 blocked shots—just one block shy of a triple. Agau played with tremendous poise throughout the game and showed quick feet and a nice touch underneath the basket. He even demonstrated on a couple of occasions that he could put the ball on the floor from the perimeter and take it to the hoop and finish. Hmmm! As a freshman, Agau shows the kind of potential to become one of the best big man prospects to ever come out of Nebraska—he is that special. But to realize his potential he will have to dedicate himself to the constant development of his game. If Akoy Agau does that, man are we in for a treat over the next few years. Yet as good as his performance was last night the Eagles won this game as a TEAM. The Eagles are a very well-coached team and they are deep in talent. Deverell Biggs, who may not have been on his A-game last night, still lead his team in scoring with 19 points and delivered the goods at the right time when he had to. Senior guard Sean McGary played well, scoring 16 points, while breaking down Norfolk’s defense with his ability to penetrate the lane at will. He also provided some solid defensive play for the Eagles. Senior Josh Hacket (10 points) stepped up big on several occasions with some timely shots and rebounds and so did Dominique McKinsie. Eddie Vinson, Jake Fuhs and Darian Barrientos-Jackson contributed mightily with their play when coming off the bench in relief.  Deverell Biggs skies for a workman-like dunk, shortly after missing a monster slam during first half action at the Class A state finals. After a brilliant long-range shooting performance in the first half by Norfolk sophomore guard Jalen Bradley (connecting on 4 3-pointers), the Eagle’s defense turned up the heat full tilt in the second half to slow his roll. Ja. Bradley’s inability to find the bottom of the net in the second half and the Panther’s horrendous performance at the foul line would spell their doom. Bradley set a Class A state tournament record by hitting a total of 12 3-pointers during his three games. In the end, the Eagles were simply too deep and too athletic for the Panthers to handle. Most importantly, however, the Eagles proved to be just as well-coached—if not better. And that’s how you win championships–four in the last five years. Oh my! Eric Behrens has certainly built a heck of a resume. How much longer will the young man be around before some college program swoops him up? Hats off to coach Behrens and his staff and congratulations to the Omaha Central Eagles: 2009-2010 Nebraska High School Class A State Basketball Champions. Note: The officiating crew working the Class A finals was very good. They let the kids play but kept the game under control. Announcement: The MHN end-of-season Top 25 Nebraska High School Basketball Prospects ranking will be posted on Friday, March 19th.
Click link to view the 2010 Nebraska State Wrestling Champions and Runner-ups
Below is the boys Class A State Basketball Tournament bracket. And on the left sidebar is a poll to vote for who you think will bring home the crown this weekend.
 2010 Nebraska High School Boys Class A State Basketball Tournament Bracket |
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By Will Cummings
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