SBLive Nebraska Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings (Feb. 20)

By Sam Pimper 

After a hard-fought regular season, District Tournament Play begins this week in Nebraska. Seven district winners and one wild card will make the State Tournament, being held the first week of March at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. 

1. Millard South (21-1, 17-0 district)

Millard South wrapped up its regular season with a 75-64 win over Bellevue East. This team is the winner of 13 straight and will be a favorite to win its district heading into the state tournament. If the buckets keep dropping for this squad it’s bad news for the rest of Nebraska’s Class A.

2. Skutt Catholic (23-1, 2-0 district)

Skutt Catholic has won 18 straight since dropping a tournament game in California early this season. The SkyHawks feature a balanced offensive attack and have limited high-percentage looks from opponents all season. Skutt kicks off its district tournament Monday evening against 1-21 Ralston.

3. Millard North (20-2, 17-1 district)

The Mustangs are winners of three straight since falling earlier this month to Millard South. North wrapped up its regular season with a 74-62 win last Friday over 20-4 Bellevue West – a solid win which should propel momentum heading into districts.

4. Elkhorn North (20-1, 2-0 district)

Elkhorn North is coming off of blowout wins over York, Norris and Grand Island Northwest. Look for this team to get through its opening round District Tournament test against Bennington on Tuesday. With its lone loss of the year coming against Skutt Catholic, it’s likely Elkhorn North won’t face a stiff test until State.

5. Lincoln High (21-1, 17-0 district)

Lincoln High’s one loss of the year came week two against a solid Bellevue East squad. Since, they’ve won 20 straight, most in dominant form. Lincoln High received a No. 1 seed in its respective district, and will face either Omaha Burke or Grand Island Wednesday.

6. Bellevue East (19-4, 12-3 district)

The Chieftains lost their regular season final against Millard South, but still have the star power to make a run through districts if all parts are clicking. Mya Scoff leads Bellevue East in scoring, averaging 16.5. Kara Sticklin is scoring just over 11 per game. East plays Omaha North Wednesday.

7. Bellevue West (20-4, 13-3 district)

Coming off a 60-52 win over Omaha Westside, Bellevue West begins District Tournament play Wednesday, facing either Elkhorn South or Omaha Northwest. Naomi White leads Bellevue West in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. Ahnica Russell-Brown is adding 12.7 and Kenzie Melcher, 11.5.

8. Lincoln East (17-5, 17-4 district)

The Spartans wrapped up their regular season with a 46-40 win over Papillion-LaVista South. Regan Barnard leads East in scoring at just under 11 points per game. Kaylee Denker and Shandy Faalii are both scoring just under nine. The Spartans open district tournament play against Omaha Westview Wednesday.

9. Bridgeport (23-0, 4-0 district)

The only girls team in the state to get through the regular season unblemished, Bridgeport concluded its regular season with a 65-44 win over Chase County. Sisters Ruthie and Olivia Loomis-Goltl are averaging 20 and 19 points per game, respectively.

10. Millard West (12-6, 15-7 district)

Coming off a 59-46 win over Omaha Central, Millard West looks to get its first win in District Tournament play against Omaha Westside. The Wildcats fell to Westside earlier this month, and undoubtedly want some redemption.

11. Lincoln Pius X (17-5, 13-3 district)

The no. 1 seed in Class A District A-6, The Thunderbolts take on Columbus Wednesday. Pius won two of three down the home stretch, and should pick up a win over the Discoverers to start tournament play on the right foot.

12. North Bend Central (24-1, 5-1 district)

The Tigers are coming off a 41-26 win over Yutan, and play 13-12 Ord Friday in the opening round of Districts. NBC has been perfect on the season following a season opening loss, and is looking for a four-peat state championship this March in Lincoln.

13. Lincoln North Star (15-7, 12-5 district)

The Navigators have won five straight, and are riding a wave of momentum heading into Wednesday’s tournament game against Fremont. North Star beat Fremont 59-19 their first meeting this season. Sarah Gatwech leads the Navigators in scoring, averaging just under 15 per game.

14. Omaha Central (15-9, 11-7 district)

The Eagles fell 59-46 to Millard West in their final regular season game, and face Lincoln Southeast in the opening round of Districts. Central will need a big performance from Inia Jones, who has cooled off a bit late in the season, but still averaging just under 19 points per game.

15. Kearney (14-10, 11-6 district)

The Bearcats wrap up the regular season Wednesday against 10-12 Papillion-LaVista South. This is a winnable game for Kearney, after falling last Friday to Lincoln Southwest. Tatum Rusher leads the Bearcats in scoring at just under 12 per game.

16. Lincoln Northeast (13-10, 8-8 district)

The Rockets fell to Pius last Tuesday 44-37, but look to get back on track in District Tournament play Wednesday against a struggling Benson squad. Doneelah Washington has been the backbone of this team, scoring 17 points per game.

17. Lincoln Southwest (12-10, 12-9 district)

Southwest is coming off a quality win over Kearney, and plays 11-11 Papillion-LaVista in the opening round of Districts Wednesday. Brinly Christensen is the leader of this squad, averaging just under 14 points per game. Aniya Seymore is adding seven per game.

18. Papillion-LaVista (11-11, 9-10 district)

The Monarchs open District Tournament play in what should be a competitive game against Lincoln Southwest. It’s the first time these teams have played this year, and Papillion will need a big night from sophomore Rease Murtaugh, who is averaging 14 points per game.

19. Benson (10-10, 7-6 district)

It has been a rough ride the second part of this season for the Bunnies. Playing with a depleted roster, the season’s wear has shown during its six-game losing skid. Benson opens tournament play against 13-10 Lincoln Northeast, and it’s a must win if the Bunnies have a chance at State.

20. Adams Central (23-1, 4-1 district)

Adams Central closes out its regular season Friday against Syracuse. The Patriots, whose only loss this season came against Grand Island Central Catholic, are coming off a win against 19-5 Minden.

21. Sidney (22-1, 5-0 district)

Sidney concludes its regular season this Monday against 6-16 Ghering, a game they will likely win. The Red Raiders are riding a 15-game win streak since falling early in the season to Gordon-Rushville.

22. Malcolm (20-5, 3-1 district)

Malcolm won its final regular season game against a good Lincoln Christian squad. Tournament play begins Friday against 13-10 Platteview. Leading Malcolm is star freshman Halle Dolliver, averaging just under 20 points per game.

23. Gretna (10-11, 7-9 district)

The Dragons are coming off a blowout game against Omaha Burke, and have an interesting tournament matchup Friday against 10-12 Marian. This game really could go either way. Aidan Pohlmann leads Gretna averaging just under 10 points per game.

24. Marian (10-12, 7-10 district)

Marian plays Gretna in the opening round of District Tournament play. These squads matchup well and really is a coin-flip game to predict. Maggie Tynan leads Marian in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. McKenna Stover is adding 10 per outing.

25. Papillion-LaVista South (10-12, 6-11 district)

South closes out its season Wednesday against Kearney. Taylor Mauch leads the Titans in scoring, averaging just over 11 points per game. Charlee Solomon and Mya Lempp are averaging just under 10 and eight points, respectively.

Next 5: Omaha Westside, York, Gordon-Rushville, Lincoln Southeast, Fremont