Nebraska high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/23/2024)

Millard West suffered its first loss of the season to the top-ranked girls squad in Iowa that is also ranked No. 15 in USA Today’s National Top 25. Using superior size and with a starting five all able to readily score, Johnston knocked off the Wildcats 75-51. Millard West trailed by just two at halftime but was heavily outpointed in the third quarter. 

1. MIllard West (12-1, Last Week #1)

Millard West’s loss to Johnston doesn’t knock them from atop our list. The Wildcats, at times, looked pretty well matched, especially in the first half. The problem is that Johnston has multiple college commits and is balanced from all over the court. Millard West could slow the attack at times, but not do enough to eliminate it. This Week, The Wildcats look to bounce back in a huge matchup against Lincoln Southwest.

2. Elkhorn North (13-0, Last Week # 2)

The Wolves have notched two Class A victories this year. The first came four games in, and the second came this past week against a tough opponent in Millard North. McKenna Murphy led North all scorers with 20, and Britt Prince scored 19. Up next for Elkhorn North is 6-6 Blair Thursday.

3. Lincoln Southwest (12-1, Last Week # 3)

Southwest is looking to ruin Millard West’s return to in-state play Tuesday evening. Millard West, coming off its first loss of the season to Iowa power Johnston, is looking to get back on track. We see this as a coin toss game – both teams could easily win this. A big game from Kennadi Williams will be necessary if Southwest is able to pull it off.

4. Lincoln North Star (9-2, Last Week #8)

The Navigators jump four spots in this week’s rankings. Three winnable games are on tap this week, starting Tuesday with Elkhorn South. Then it’s on to Kearney and Benson. We expect North Star to win at least two of these.

5. Lincoln Northeast (10-2, Last Week #7)

Doneelah Washington scored 17 points and pulled down 16 rebounds during a one-point loss to Lincoln North Star. On the season, she’s averaging 22 points per game. Look for the Rockets to quickly get back on track this week when they face 4-10 Norfolk.

6. Millard North (10-4, Last Week # 5)

The Mustangs are coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season. The first was a double-overtime loss to Lincoln Northeast, and the second was a three-point loss to Class B power Elkhorn North. We think they get back on track this week with a win over Omaha Westside.

7. Skutt Catholic (13-1, Last Week #4)

Skutt dominated the last time it hit the hardwood, knocking off South Sioux City 72-36. This week, they face Class A Lincoln Pius X. We think Skutt has enough firepower to pull this one off, but don’t be surprised if Pius makes it a game in the second half.

8. Papillion-La Vista South (10-4, Last Week #16)

PLVS makes a big jump in this week’s rankings, surging eight spots. The Titans seem to have figured out the special sauce, dropping just one game since starting the season 1-3. They’ve won back-to-back games in overtime over quality competition, and have shown a lot of fight and grit. This week, look for PLVS to pick up another win against struggling Gretna.

9. Omaha Westside (11-5, Last Week #11)

Coming off a loss to PLVS, the Warriors bounced back with wins over Pius and Omaha South. They have a big one this week, when they face Millard North. North is coming off a three-point loss to Elkhorn North. This would be a huge win for the Warriors. We think, though, that Millard North pulls it off.

10. Marian (11-3, Last Week #9)

Last week, Marian had a meltdown against Westview, a team that on paper they shouldn't have had trouble with. They did bounce back, though, with a win over Buena Vista. Thursday, they face Bellevue West and it’s a game they need to win. Leading Marian in scoring is junior Elsa Vedral, netting 13 per game.

11. Papillion-La Vista (9-3, Last Week #12)

PLV has won five straight and the next three are all games they will be favored in, too. Up next the Monarchs face 0-11 Bryan, and this one will likely get out of hand in a hurry. Leading PLV in scoring is junior Rease Murtaugh, averaging 19 points per game. Freshman Jayda Richardson is scoring about 10.

12. Gretna East (8-5, Last Week NR)

Gretna East makes the biggest leap of any team in this week’s rankings, going from unranked to No. 12 on our list. Since weathering a three-game losing stretch against all Class A competition, the Griffins bounced back with huge wins over Benson and Omaha Central. This team is playing well at the right time. Up next is 7-7 Columbus Thursday.

13. Lincoln Pius X (8-5, Last Week #15)

Pius has a big one on tap, facing Skutt Catholic this week. We think Pius will hang around in this game, and with some pressure defense, could make it interesting late. The Thunderbolts are coming off a 72-12 win over Grand Island. Senior Sara Iburg is scoring 12 per game for Pius.

14. Kearney (8-5, Last Week #22)

The Bearcats have won two straight since falling to Beatrice the first week of January. Junior Kelsey Hatcher has been a consistent scoring presence for Kearney, netting 16 points per outing. Kearney faces Lincoln North Star Friday. We expect them to lose, but a win would be a huge confidence boost for this squad.

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

It’s tough to make out Bellevue West. The talent is there, but the consistency and ability to close tight games is not. West is coming off back-to-back losses against Skutt Catholic and Millard West. We like the Thunderbirds to respond this week when they face Marian.

16. Beatrice (12-1, Last Week #17)

Beatrice has won three straight, defeated a Class A team in Kearney and blown out opposition in Milford. This team looks good, and has a legitimate chance to make a tournament run. Up next is a huge game against Norris. We give Beatrice a slight edge, but this could go either way.

17. Bellevue East (8-5, Last Week #18)

The Chieftains have won three straight, and look to make it four if they can pick up a win this week over struggling Burke. Leading East in scoring is T’Niyah Wilson-Smith, netting more than 20 points per game. Junior guard Jayla Wilson is averaging 15 per game, as well.

18. Norris (10-2, Last Week #19)

Norris is a perfect 3-0 in the month of January. Its last loss came in late December to Elkhorn North. Up next for Norris is 3-8 Hastings on Thursday, a game we have the Titans handily winning. Leading Norris in scoring is senior Nicole Keetle, averaging eight per game.

19. Benson (7-5, Last Week #13)

The Bunnies suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Gretna East and Bellevue East. Look for Benson to get a win this week when they face Burke Wednesday. Leading Benson is senior Ahmani Klabundi, averaging more than 14 points per game. McKenzie Lewis is adding about 12.

20. Waverly (9-3, Last Week #20)

Waverly has a huge opportunity Friday when they face undefeated Elkhorn North. To have any chance at being competitive, this squad will have to rely heavily on junior Annie Harms. On the year, she’s averaging 13 points per game. Peyton Tritz and Parker Christiansen are adding about 12.

21. Columbus (7-7, Last Week #24)

Columbus faces Gretna East Thursday. It would be a bigtime win if the Discoverers could close the deal. They will need a big performance from Jordyn Trotta, who is scoring about 12 per game. Columbus is coming off a dominant, 60-25 win over Hastings.

22. Elkhorn South (7-7, Last Week #23)

South has won two of three and has a big game this week against Lincoln North Star. We like North Star in this game, but South should hang in there awhile if freshman Mollie Probasco stays sharp. On the season, she’s scoring more than 15 per outing.

23. Elkhorn (9-4, Last Week NR)

The Antlers make their way into this week’s Top 25 after picking up wins over West Point-Beemer and Crete. It isn’t always flashy from this group, but they’ve found a way to win their fair share of games with a cohesive unit.

24. Bennington (9-5, Last Week #21)

Bennington falls three spots on this week’s list. They’ve lost two of three, but did pick up a dominant win over Class A Omaha North over this past weekend. Up next is Elkhorn, who we give a slight edge to.

25. Crete (8-6, Last Week NR)

Crete fills the final slot of SBLive’s Top 25. This is the Cardinals first time entering our list this season. Leading Crete is Amelia Hohlen, scoring more than 11 per game. Marin Rasgorshek is averaging about the same. Up next for the Cardinals is Schuyler, a game they should win.

Next 5: North Platte, Omaha South, Lincoln East, South Sioux City, Scottsbluff

--Sam Pimper I @SBLiveNeb