MHN Top 25 Nebraska High School Basketball Prospects: 2009/2010
New Athletes Play Their Way Into Top 25
By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com
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.
 Top 25Nebraska High School  Basketball Prospects2009/2010 |
| 1. Mike Gesell, 6-0, G, SO, South Sioux City |
| 2. Elliot Elliason, 6-11, C, SR, Chadron |
| 3. Dwight Smith, 6-3, G, SR, Ralston |
| 4. Deverell Biggs, 6-1, G, SR, Omaha Central |
| 5. Akoy Agau, 6-7, F, FR, Omaha Central |
| 6. Derrius Vick, 6-1, G, JR, Lincoln SE |
| 7. Caleb Steffensmeier, 5-11, G, Creighton Prep |
| 8. Zac Bargen, 6-5,F, G, SR, Chadron |
| 9. Zach Sterup, 6-10, C, JR, Hastings St Cecilia |
| 10. Jose Bonilla, 7-0, C, JR, South Sioux City |
| 11. Mike Dentlinger, 6-6, F, SR, Millard North |
| 12. Sean McGary, 6-1, G, SR, Omaha Central |
| 13. Tyler Evans, 6-2, G, SR, Waverly |
| 14. Austin Kaczor, 6-4, G, SR, Ewing |
| 15. Dalton Sealy, 6-2, G, SR, Hastings St. Cecilia |
| 16. Cole Martin, 6-3, G, SR, Creighton Prep |
| 17. Trevor Menke, 5-10, G, SR, Beatrice |
| 18. Jordan Tyrance, 6-4, F, SR Lincoln SW |
| 19. Tobin Reinwald, 6-4, G, SR, Lincoln High |
| 20. Jalen Bradley, 5-9, G, SO, Norfolk |
| 21. Ray McGaugh, 6-0, G, SR, Omaha Burke |
| 22. Andrew Mitteis, 6-1, G, SR, Plattsmouth |
| 23. Scottie Davis , 6-5, F, SR, Omaha Burke |
| 24. Duol Mayot, 6-4, F, JR, Omaha South |
| 25. Zach Lempka, 6-5, F, SR, Sterling |
