Nebraska high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/10/2024)

For the second time this season, Elkhorn North star Britt Prince eclipsed the 40-point mark, tying her school-record 42 points during a win over Skutt Catholic. The performance gave her the record for most points scored in Nebraska girls Class B, surpassing former Alliance standout and Husker Jordan Hooper. 

1. Elkhorn North (10-0, Last Week #1) 

Nebraska commit Britt Prince tied her season-best – and school record – 42 points during a 71-53 win over Class B rival Skutt Catholic. Colorado State pledge McKenna Murphy added 22, propelling the Wolves to victory. Up Next is crosstown rival Elkhorn Friday.

2. Millard West (11-0, Last Week #2)

Millard West has looked the part all year, and especially this month. After dismantling both Omaha Central and Millard North Last week, the Wildcats are the team to beat in Class A. Junior Neleigh Gessert is leading the Wildcat attack, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds. Twin sister Norah is scoring 11 and pulling down five boards.

3. Lincoln Southwest (10-1, Last Week #5)

Lincoln Southeast won a close one to end Southwest’s perfect mark, but the Silverhawks bounced back with a win over Lincoln High. This is a good team, led by Kennadi Williams, who is averaging over 18 points per game. Up next is a top-10 battle Friday against Lincoln North Star.

4. Millard North (9-2, Last Week #6)

The Mustangs soundly lost to Millard West last week, but bounced back with a strong win over No. 6 Omaha Central. Emma Vander Plaats led North in scoring, netting 17. Sara Harley and Clara Welker both dropped 11. The Mustangs face Gretna Thursday.

5. Skutt Catholic (10-1, Last Week #3)

Skutt Catholic moves down two spots in this week’s rankings. Though Skutt is one of the best in the state without a doubt, we think some of Class A’s best would give them problems, especially with size matchups down low. Skutt’s lone blemish came during last week’s loss to Elkhorn North. Up next is Duchesne Tuesday.

6. Omaha Central (12-2, Last Week #4)

The Eagles started the season 11-0, but have since lost two of their last three. Those defeats came against Millard West and Millard North. They bounced back Saturday with a win over Bellevue East. Central is good, but their strength of schedule hasn’t been elite. We will have to see how they do against other top-tier Class A talent, because their first two showings weren’t great.

7. Lincoln Northeast (9-2, Last Week #7)

Doneelah Washington scored 27 points during the Rockets Saturday win over Lincoln Southeast, and pulled down 15 boards. Both of Northeast’s losses this season came against Lincoln Southwest. Up next is Lincoln High Thursday, a game the Rockets should handily win.

8. Omaha Marian (8-2, Last Week #8)

Marian is coming off a 43-34 win over Class B York. Leading the Crusaders in scoring was Emelia Daubendiek, netting 10. Marian is balanced, but the team doesn’t have any prolific scoring threats, which down the stretch could prove problematic. Up next is Omaha South Tuesday.

9. Lincoln North Star (7-2, Last Week #9)

Since losing 50-48 to Lincoln Southwest in Omaha the last week of December, the Navigators have won over Lincoln High and Gretna. Sophomore Ani Leu continues being sound for North Star, scoring 14 per game. Sarah Gatwech is netting 11. Up next is Lincoln East Tuesday.

10. Lincoln Southeast (6-3, Last Week #10)

The Knights picked up a huge win last week, beating rival Lincoln Southwest 40-37. Coming off a loss against Lincoln Northeast, the Knights look to get back on track Thursday against Lincoln Pius X. Southeast is in the midst of a tough four-game stretch. If they could win one of the next two that would be a win.

11. Omaha Westside(9-4, Last Week #11)

Westside has been rolling lately, winning five of its last six. During that stretch, the Warriors only loss came against Omaha Central. During a win over Elkhorn South, junior Kimora Jenkins scored a game-high 21 points. Teammate Kara Stricklin netted 19. Up next is Papillion-La Vista South Friday.

12. Papillion-La Vista (7-3, Last Week #13)

Junior Rease Murtaugh led the Monarchs in scoring during a win over Millard South, netting 16. Freshman Jayda Richardson added 13 en route to the win. PLV is off to a 3-0 start in January, and looks to keep the winning streak rolling Friday against 3-6 Omaha North.

13. Lincoln Pius X (6-3, Last Week #12)

Pius has won two straight against North Platte and Columbus, but have a stiff challenge around the corner when they face Lincoln Southeast Thursday. Leading Pius in scoring is Sara Iburg. The senior is dropping about 11 per game. We give Southeast a slight edge in this matchup.

14. Beatrice (10-1, Last Week #22)

Beatrice makes a big jump on our list this week, moving from No. 22 to No. 14. Aside from Elkhorn North and Skutt Catholic – both of which would be dominant in Class A play – Beatrice has probably looked the best out of Class B’s talent. The Orangemen have scored over 60 in all but two games.

15. Benson (6-3, Last Week #17)

Benson moves up two spots in this week’s rankings. Since losing to Millard West Dec. 30, the Bunnies have won back-to-back games. During a 53-32 win over Buena Vista, a balanced offensive attack paid dividends and led to the victory. Up next for Benson is Burke Friday, a game we think the Bunnies will win.

16. Bellevue West (6-4, Last Week #14)

It hasn’t been the season Bellevue West envisioned up to this point. The preseason No. 1 team in the state has, at times, floundered when the going has gotten rough. It would be huge if West could pick up a win over Skutt Catholic Thursday. This would go a great way with righting the ship.

17. Papillion-La Vista South (7-4, Last Week #21)

PLVS has won three straight, and has a big matchup Friday against 9-4 Omaha Westside, a team that has been trending upward lately. Leading the Titans in scoring is Addison Medeck at 11 points per game. PLVS will need a strong showing from the freshman standout if they want to beat the Warriors.

18. Norris (8-2, Last Week #18)

Norris stays in our No. 18 spot this week. The Titans lost their season opener to Waverly by a point, and the only other defeat of the season was a 10-point loss to state No. 1 Elkhorn North. That’s not a bad resume of losses. Senior Nicole Keetle leads Norris in scoring at about nine per game. Up next is Lincoln Lutheran Tuesday.

19. Waverly (7-3, Last Week #19)

Waverly has lost two of its last four, and has a rematch with Bennington Thursday. Waverly won the first game 65-47, but we expect this one to be closer, albeit we give Waverly the edge. Leading the Vikings in scoring is junior Annie Harms, netting about 14 per game.

20. Bellevue East (5-5, Last Week #16)

Bellevue East is on a three-game skid – two losses to Omaha Central and one to Omaha Marian. This team is better than what they have played lately, and should get back on track when they face 2-8 Fremont Friday. T’Niyah Wilson-Smith has been sound for the Chieftains, netting about 20 per game.

21. Kearney (6-5, Last Week #15)

Kearney is coming off a 61-58 loss to Class B Beatrice. Prior to that, the Bearcats picked up two wins against Grand Island and North Platte. Kearney has a matchup Friday against 4-5 Lincoln East. We give the Bearcats a slight edge in this one.

22. Bennington (8-3, Last Week #23)

The Badgers are off to a good start this month, notching wins over Blair and Ralston. Bennington will try to get a win this week against Waverly, a team that beat them solidly in December. Leading Bennington in scoring is junior Presley Baca, netting 14 per outing.

23. Elkhorn (7-3, Last Week #24)

Elkhorn has won three straight, and should make it four in a row when it faces 1-7 Omaha Mercy Tuesday. Elkhorn has done well against OK competition, but has struggled against better teams like Waverly and Norris – both games they were thumped.

24. Elkhorn South (5-6, Last Week NR)

Elkhorn South has won two of its last three, and we think they will pick up a win Thursday against Buena Vista. Freshman Mollie Probasco is scoring close to 15 points per game to lead the Storm.

25. Blair (6-4, Last Week NR)

Blair has lost two straight, but when they’re playing well they are a solid Class B team. The Bears look to get back on track Tuesday against Wahoo. Leading Blair in scoring is junior Addie Sullivan, averaging 10 points per game.

Next 5: Columbus, Norfolk, North Platte, Gretna, Grand Island Northwest

--Sam Pimper I @SBLiveNeb