Nebraska H.S. Basketball: Millard South Is New No. 1
Millard South Comes Out Swinging to Take Out Top Dogs
The 2010-2011 Nebraska high school basketball season got off to a rather surprising start this weekend with Millard South toppling preseason No. 1 Bryan and last year’s reining Class A champion Central to win the OPS Jamboree.
| 2010 OPS Jamboree All-Tournament Team |
Kyler Erickson, Millard South |
Who’d of imagined that, right now, the Patriots, under first year coach Tyler Cerveny, would be the No. 1 boys basketball team in the Nebraska? How long will the 3-0 Patriots be able to maintain their lofty status? We will just have to watch, but one thing I do know: I’ve never seen an Eric Behrens coached team fail to improve as the season progresses. The Eagles have won four of the past five Class A championships–so never count them out. Nonetheless, this well-coached senior-laden Millard South basketball team must be taken as a serious contender to the crown.
The Patriots were good enough to advance to the Class A state tournament last season—they are even better this year. Guard Kyler Erickson is much improved–knocking down 19, 19 and 22 points in his first three games of the season. You can count on the Patriots to get stronger as the season rolls along and their state runner-up football team members like all-stater Quentin Urban, Elijah Tostenson and Blake Headley get their basketball legs underneath them.
Keep an eye out for: Preseason N0. 1 Bryan. The Bears have been slowed by an injury to star plyar Galen Gullie. His return to action alongside DK Augustine and Reath Jiech will make them a very dangerous team. What will we ultimately see from first year Benson coach Donnie Johnson? The Bunnies have star power in UNO recruit CJ Carter and Avery Langford. Will Johnson be able to gel this talent into his system to produce a Class A championship contender? It’s a lot to ask for from a first year coach but the talent is there for Benson to make a state tourney run. I’m not counting out Omaha South with Duol Mayot but they look rough early. Finally, always be wary of Creighton Prep. The Junior Jays don’t have much star power but they do have one of the best basketball coaches in the state with Josh Luedtke. If nothing else, Prep could be a spoiler for some teams.
Biggest Early Season Surprise: Expected to see Central’s Akoy Agau to be much more of a force on offense this year. As of yet he hasn’t made much noise. Makes you wonder whether or not he might have been better served by not playing football this past season. Let’s see if the big fella will get things going.
NOTE: MHN Early Season Top 25 Nebraska H.S. Basketball Prospects ranking to be released on December 12th, 2010.
December 6, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
Been trying to tell you to watch out for Westside and Steven Ferrarini. Ferrarini’s 35 points, 11 rebs, while matched up against Lincoln Southeast’s Derrius Vick (your number 3 prospect) pretty much says it all…
December 6, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
I talked to both Akoy Agua and Duol Mayot. They both told me there best game will be in the middle of the season and i really believe that. Steven Ferrarini is so underated. I love the way he plays and he should get more credit for his outstanding game.
December 8, 2010 @ 11:16 am
those two didnt guard eachother but ferrani was excellent especially from the line. it will take time for vick and his team to get it going.
December 9, 2010 @ 12:48 am
Millard South is WAY good this year. 5-10 Kyler Erickson is easily one the best guards in the state avg 20 points a game and nobody seems to be able to guard him. All his points come from taking it right to the hoop too. Fowler is tough inside and the team hustles big time. They beat the #1 and #2 teams in the same weekend and yet to play a home game. Millard South looks to be a force this year and not sure many teams can hang with their guards. Look for Erickson to continue his superior play and M South will be tough to beat.