Nebraska's best high school boys basketball players: Meet the state's top guards

On this list, you’ll find guys who can hit the three, others who can take a defender off the dribble, some who can set up teammates and others who harass opponents into steals and turnovers. For most, they’re a combination of all of those elements. Listed here are some of the state’s best guards in alphabetical order. If you feel that we’ve overlooked someone, please email nate@scorebooklive.com. 

Jaxon Adams – Platteview, Junior, 6-4 

From a backup/garbage-time player to the leading scorer on the team, Adams' high school career has had quite the upward trajectory. Granted, everyone else had to wait their turn to become a dependable scoring threat with Connor Millikan on the roster, but Adams’ freshman and sophomore stats did not indicate what was ahead.

Now in a role where more is expected, Adams is thriving under the increased pressure of making plays. Through 12 games of his junior year, he’s scored 20 or more points five times and is averaging nearly 18 points per game.

“Jaxon has done a great job for us. He is a player who has a natural knack for scoring the basketball,” Platteview coach Brad Schlieman said. “He is incredibly athletic and has the ability to make tough shots and make them look easy. His ability to get us a bucket when we need it has played a big part of our success so far this year.”

Bryson Bahl – Papillion-La Vista South, Junior, 6-5

Bahl is approaching 700 career points and will almost certainly set the school record by the end of the season. Just this year he’s one of the top-10 scorers in the state at 23 points per game to go with 11.5 rebounds.

Through the start of January, he had scored more than 30 points three times and posted six double-doubles. Last year, Bahl was what the Papio South coach staff refers to as a ‘180-guy’ – his field goal percentage from inside the arc plus the perimeter plus at the free throw line all added up to 180 or better. With half the season yet to go, he’s currently a ‘170-guy’.

“His ability to score inside and out, and play a variety of positions, makes him a versatile player,” Titans coach Joel Hueser said. “Bryson’s high basketball IQ and knack for the ball makes him all the harder to guard and play against. As a sophomore, he also led our team in rebounding and steals. Without question, Bryson is one of the top players in the state.”

Riley Bombeck – Shelton, Senior, 6-4

Landing two teammates on this list should predict regular success, and that’s been the case at Shelton where the Bulldogs plus Bombeck and Ashton Simmons (also on this list) have been a part of back-to-back trips to state and a third-place finish last year.

Bombeck has been the team’s main ball handler for each of the past two trips to Lincoln, he’s put up an average of more than 15 points each of the past two years and will go over 400 assists later this season.

He’s got an assist-to-turnover ratio of almost 4-to-1, had 10 assists in a win over Red Cloud and shoots 54% overall and 50% from beyond the arc. Bombeck has the Shelton record for single season assists, is approaching the career mark, the records for single season steals and career steals, tied the single season scoring record and broke the career scoring record.

“Riley is kind of a combo guard, scores in transition, has a sweet 15-foot jumper and creates and dishes for teammates,” coach Will Reutzel said. “Riley’s on-court IQ is tremendous and he really works to push the younger guys at practice to improve. Most games, he’s one of three of our guys who might draw the tough defensive assignment guarding one of the opponent’s best players. I think Riley and those guys enjoy the challenge of slowing down a solid player.”

Grayson Bouwman – Fort Calhoun, Senior, 6-1

Fort Calhoun captured the imagination of the state two years ago when the Pioneers ended a 99-year drought to get back to the state tournament. But Fort Calhoun has been more than just a one-time story thanks to players like Bouwman.

He was a sophomore on that team who averaged 17.1 points per game and also scored 20 in the first-round upset win over Wahoo. He’s only continued to rise since then, matching that same scoring average as a junior while increasing his rebounds and assists.

As his career winds toward a close and a move on to Morningside basketball, Bouwman’s senior year has included an average of 21.4 points per game, seven games with more than 20 and an impressive 33 while shooting 12 of 15 in the second game of the season.

“What makes him special is I have never seen a kid work like he does. So many kids think they want to play in college but really are about the glitz, tweets, social media attention, etc; but he is about the work,” Fort Calhoun coach TJ O’Connor said. “He comes in every day and has a routine and a plan and gets after it.

“His dad is our old girls coach, teaches at the school and is one of our assistants, so he has access to the gym, and he is there every day. He is just a humble, hardworking. great young man. He spends time with our youth, has worked with my own kids and is a great example for not only his teammates in our program but all the kids in our youth program and community. He is a great young man.”

Jordan Castor – Lincoln North Star, Freshman, 5-11

One of the few freshmen to make any of the SBLive lists, Castor has adjusted quickly to varsity competition. Through the first half of the season, he was scoring over 15 points per game and handing out a little more than three assists. He had 19 in his career debut and was in double figures in all but one of the first eight games.

“Jordan has come right in as a freshman and immediately been one of the best lead guards in the state,” North Star coach Lee Steinbrook said. “As a coach’s son, he understands the game better than most players I have been around. Jordan scores in so many ways attacking the basket, and is a very underrated shooter as well, from mid-range and also three. He gets others involved with his unselfish passing and ball handling. Jordan is always willing to take the big shot, and together with Lazerek (Houston – another member of this list) gives us one of the top guard combos in the state.

Chase Furstenau – Neligh-Oakdale, Senior, 5-10

Furstenau is one of just a handful of players in Nebraska who average over 22 points per game. He has gone over 20 in seven of 11 games and put up a career-high 36 in a win over Stanton. With a little more than half the season remaining, he already has 23 makes from distance and six games with three or more made three-pointers. Before the end of the year, he’ll have more than 100 made shots from beyond the arc.

“Chase is an elite shooter from the three-point line but has taken his scoring to another level this year by his ability to attack the rim,” Neligh-Oakdale coach Tom Young said. “Chase also has been able to score against a wide variety of defenses this year and has been our main consistent scoring option. Most nights he’s facing either a box-and-one or a double team.”

Coriahnn Gallatin – Fremont Sophomore, 5-11

Gallatin is one of the youngest members on this list but also one of the most natural and gifted players regardless of age. He exploded onto the scene last year when he scored 37 in just his fourth-ever varsity game and kept that going for the next two months. His rookie season included a scoring average of over 18 points, 46% shooting both overall and from three and 98 made three-pointers.

His 98 threes set a Class A season record. He also tied the single-game record when he sank 10 in a win over Omaha South. Gallatin has continued that high-level play into his second season. He’s averaging 19 points, already has 43 threes and has scored 20 or more points six times through the first 11 games.

“One of the best competitors I have ever coached. He has a very high basketball IQ and is fearless. Cori is a great combination of scorer and distributor. He will graduate as one of the best Fremont Tigers ever,” Tiger coach Mark Williams said. “He’s also an outstanding student with a 4.175 GPA. He is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to coach.”

Lazerek Houston – Lincoln North Star, Junior, 6-1

Houston stepped into a starting lineup full of big men last season and, in the words of North Star coach Lee Steinbrook, “ran the show to perfection.” Playing point guard as a sophomore is a big ask, but Houston responded to those responsibilities by scoring 11.4 points per game and handing out 2.5 assists.

He took that experience and has only blossomed all the more as a junior. Houston has increased his scoring average to 16.8 and is near four assists per game.

“A naturally gifted scorer, he can play point or off guard. Lazarek really excels in attacking the basket, and scores equally well from mid-range or from three,” coach Lee Steinbrook said. “He also has developed into a nice leader this year for our young team. Lazarek always wants the ball when the game is on the line and has come through on multiple occasions in those situations. The now and the future are both really bright for him.”

Jaden Jackson – Bellevue West, Senior, 6-1

One of the best winners on this list, Jackson was an important piece of last year’s state title team and has helped the Thunderbirds to a 13-1 start in his senior season. Jackson scored 14.7 points per game a year ago and was at his best late in the year. He had 10 or more points in each of the final six games encompassing district play plus the state tournament. He shot 53% and was an effective 42% from long range with 72 made threes.

Bellevue West is looking for a second straight Class A title and Jackson is giving them a chance to do exactly that by scoring 16.9 per game and has four with 20 or more points including 30 in a Jan. 19 win over Millard West. Jackson has also been good again from beyond the arc, hitting on 47%. The night he went for 30, Jackson was 12 of 13 shooting. Jackson will play his college basketball for South Dakota State.

“Jaden is an elite level scorer on all three levels - this is what makes him so hard to guard. He can attack the basket off the dribble to either hand and can finish in multiple ways around the basket,” Bellevue West coach Steve Klein said. “Jaden can also shoot the mid-range jumper at an elite level as well, but Jaden’s best and most complete trait is his three-point shooting. His shot may be one of the most pure shots I have ever coached. He gets the ball up in the air and has such a simple shot motion that it is easily repeatable.

“Not only can Jaden score at all levels, but what makes him such a complete player is that he can defend all five positions on the floor, which makes our team so much better.”

Ben Johnson – Kearney, Junior, 6-5

Johnson has come on strong in his junior season for the Bearcats. Though a little more than halfway through the season he was one of just 18 players in Nebraska who was scoring 20 or more per game.

He started the year with 20 against Elkhorn South, dropped 31 three games later and has six games with 20 or more. At 52% he’s an elite shooter, and at 47% from the perimeter with 28 three-pointers, he’s the elite of the elite. He sank six threes during the game scored 31 and has had three or more three-pointers six times through 11 games.

“Ben is a special talent. His love for hoops shows in the way that he plays and works,” Kearney coach Drake Beranek said. “He has the ability to get buckets at the rim as well as stretch defenses past the three-point line with his shooting ability. We are excited to see how he continues as a player.”

Garrett Johnson – Holdrege, Junior, 6-3

Johnson has another year of varsity basketball remaining and may be scoring more than 25 points per game next year based on his current trend.

The Holdrege junior played in 23 games as a freshman and scored 12 points per contest. His numbers last year were 26 games and more than 15 points. Through 13 games of this season, he’s at 25 points per game and has had more than 20 in all but five of the 13.

Johnson has set and tied his career-high twice this season with 29 points in the first game of the year and then again on Jan. 6. He already owns the school record for career threes – a record he broke almost a year ago.

“Garret is a great basketball player because of the amount of time he puts into it. He is in the gym shooting more than any kid I have ever coached, and it's not even close,” Holdrege coach Brandt Runge said. “He is on pace to hit 1,000 points in the next couple of weeks and holds several school records including threes in a season (91), threes in a career and three-point percentage for a season at 44.4%. He is taking steps in the right direction this year and has become much more aggressive on both ends of the floor. He's definitely a special player.”

Harrison Long – Mount Michael Benedictine, Senior, 5-11

Long is in the middle of a second straight season of averaging more than 20 points per game and could approach 1,200 career points before his time is up. After scoring 20 or more points 13 times last season, scoring more than 30 four times and once dropping 40, Long already has six games with 20 or more in his senior year and two with better than 30.

He has matched his rate last year at 40% shooting overall and improved to become a 35% shooter from beyond the arc.

Carter Mick – Lincoln East, Senior, 6-3

Mick is set to pitch for Nebraska in college but he’s a difference maker regardless of the sport or the season. In addition to having a 7-1 record and a 1.47 ERA over 52 innings last spring on the diamond, he’ll go over 700 career points this season, is scoring an average of 19.9 his senior year and is a career 47% free throw shooter.

Halfway through the year Mick has six games with 20 or more points and tied his career high with 31 in a Dec. 22 win over Fremont that included 11 of 16 shooting and four three-pointers.

“Carter is a great kid who truly plays sports for the sheer enjoyment of playing and competing. You can see that in how he plays on the basketball court and how he performs on the pitching mound,” East coach Jeff Campbell said. “There doesn't seem to be any moment that is too big for Carter to handle. He always stays composed and moves on to the next play immediately even when mistakes have been made. Carter is one of the best pure scorers I have coached in my time at Lincoln East.”

Gage Mintken – Hay Springs, Senior, 5-11

Mintken has been a double-digit scorer every year of his career since first joining the starting lineup as a sophomore. Over the past two years, he’s gone from averaging 12.9 in 2022 to putting up 23.6 through the first nine games of the 2024 season.

If he stays healthy, he’ll go over 1,000 career points 300 rebounds, 200 steals and 175 assists. Mintken started off the year with 32 points in his first game and had 31 three games later.

Mintken’s high school career includes being named the D6 Football Player of the Year, earning all-conference football honors for four seasons, all district-honors for three seasons, he’s a three-time state track qualifier and a state medalist in the long jump. On the hardwood, he was the Panhandle Conference Player of the Year and has been all-conference for each of the past two years. He reached 1,000 career points in January and could approach 1,300 base on his current rate.

“Gage Mintken is a high-level athlete; one of those that only comes around once in a while,” Hay Springs head coach Jason Badje said. “He’s committed to his sport both in the off-season plus before and after practices. Gage is a leader by deed and by word, as he seeks to bring up the whole level of the team… “He’s an excellent student, highly motivated and coachable. He will leave a void I hope others will aspire to fill, and I'm excited to see what he becomes at the next level.”

CJ Mitchell – Westside, Senior, 5-10

Mitchell had all the makings of a big-time player when he earned playing time as a freshman. He had even more as a sophomore and contributed seven points per game for a roster that had five seniors and a junior that made up most of the lineup. Ready to take another step, Mitchell had to wait when he suffered a significant knee injury in AAU in the spring of his sophomore year. He rehabbed hard and was back for next season but was still fighting through the effects.

Now, back to 100%, his full complement of skills has been on display. Mitchell is averaging a career-high 13.9 points, four rebounds and two assists this winter. He had a season-high 24 against Bellevue West and is shooting 53%.

“He had a great off-season this past summer and fall and is playing at a high level so far this year,” coach Jim Simons said. “He has elite speed with the ball and has improved his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability. CJ is extremely passionate about basketball and is one of the hardest workers we have had in our program.”

Taye Moore – Lincoln Southeast, Senior, 6-1

Moore and the Knights are a little more than halfway through the season and he’s on pace to set a new career scoring mark for total points. The Southeast senior is averaging over 17 points per game and is at a career-best shooting rate of 44%.

Moore has five games with 20 or more points so far this season and has eight of those over the past three years to go with 175 total rebounds, 173 assists and 103 steals. As of late January, he’s hit exactly 100 three-pointers.

Drew Morrow – O’Neill, Senior, 6-2

If you count up all the games Morrow has played in for O’Neill whether varsity or junior varsity, he’s certain to go over 100 before the end of this year. Regardless of the level, he’s always had an effect.

Halfway through his senior season, Morrow has a career scoring average of more than 13 points, he’s made 173 three-pointers and he’s been a part of 55 wins.

He’s gotten better every year to the point he’s now averaging 20 points per game, three steals and almost three assists. Halfway through his final campaign, Morrow has four games with more than 20 points, four others where he finished with 19 and has a 31-point effort in a win over Beatrice.

How he finds time to keep getting better at hoops we’ll never know. His list of activities at O’Neill High School includes football, basketball and track, FFA, band, stage band, the musical, one-act, National Honor Society, student council, the school’s streaming service and the Eagle’s letterman’s club.

“Drew has been a capable scorer for us over the past four years. He prides himself on being one of the few 15-foot jump shot guys in the high school game, to go along with his long range and ability to get to the rim,” O’Neill coach Seth Kallhoff said. “He can score from anywhere on the floor and is always shot-ready, but also has great court vision with 30 assists so far this season.

“Defensively Drew has come a long way and now leads our team in steals, touches and charges taken. None of this comes as a big surprise as Drew has been in the gym since elementary as his dad was a PE teacher for several years.”

Neal Mosser – Millard North, Senior, 6-3

Mosser is a three-year starter who has helped the program earn two state titles and a runner-up finish since he became a fixture in the lineup. He’s one of the best shooters in the state and holds the Mustang record for most career three-pointers.

Mosser will go over 1,000 career points this season, has 158 career makes from long distance and is a career 41% perimeter shooter.

“The past few years, Neal has been mostly a shooter. This year, he has expanded his game; he is much more than just a shooter,” Millard North coach Mike Etzelmiller said. “He is one of the smartest players to play at Millard North. He is a great passer, understands the game and puts himself and his teammates in great positions to be successful.”

Tayvin Murphy – Omaha Westview, Junior, 6-3

It was a struggle last season for Westview. As a brand new program in its first year of existence, much of the roster was young and inexperienced. The Wolverines struggled to just eight wins and suffered through two separate five-game losing skids.

One bright spot in the adversity was Murphy. As a sophomore, he scored over 14 points per game. Westview came through the fire of last season, grew up and is now in the midst of a campaign that looks like it will end with a winning season. Murphy, now at 17 points per game and four rebounds, remains the top playmaker for Westview.

“Tayvin is an explosive two-way guard who is capable of scoring at all three levels and defending the opponent’s biggest threat,” Westview coach Mitch Runco said. “He also prides himself in the classroom with over a 4.0 GPA. Tayvin is one the most coachable players I have had in my 10 years as a head coach; Much of the credit goes to his incredible parents and grandparents.”

Mukadi Mukoma – Grand Island, Senior, 6-6

Kadi, as he is referred to by his coaches and teammates, has been a good player each year of his career but has taken off as a senior. He showed some abilities as a starter last winter when he scored 8.7 points per game in 24 contests. Through 11 games this season, he’s had more than that in every game and is averaging 19.5.

Mukoma has scored more than 20 points six times and once had a stretch of five straight games with 21 or more. He’s shooting it at 49%, 39% from long range and has had seven games with three or more makes from the perimeter.

“Kadi has progressed from a kid that didn't even start on our freshmen team into a guy that we can't take off of the floor. His ability to score at all three levels makes him very difficult to guard. Kadi is capable of creating his own shot but can also be productive without dominating the basketball. That versatility makes him a tough guard for everyone on our schedule, regardless of their scheme. Kadi has really come a long way on the defensive end of the floor and rebounding. Most recently, he had a career-high 16 rebounds against Lincoln Northeast.”

Terance Pittman – Parkview Christian, Senior, 5-10

He might play in Class D-2, but that doesn’t mean Pittman isn’t among the best, and perhaps the best, pure scorer in the state of Nebraska. Sitting atop the statewide scoring list, regardless of class, with 28.2 points per game is only part of the evidence. The only junior in a starting lineup of four other seniors that won last year’s state championship is another. Six games with more than 30 points this winter provide more.

Then there’s the opening game of this season in which he scored a school-record 53. Parkview trailed Lincoln Christian by 20 at one point, but Pittman wasn’t concerned. During a timeout, he told coach Kurtis Vanness the Patriots would find a way to win the game.

“He's humble enough to learn from others and receive constructive criticism, but confident enough to lead the team,” Vanness said. “He knows what he's good at and perfects that skill. He also knows the areas he struggles in are areas of strength for someone else and adjusts his play accordingly. He understands basketball because he's passionate about it. He combines passion, skill and an understanding of the game that makes him a threat.”

Landon Pokorski – Gretna, Senior, 6-1

Pokorski has been as consistent as it gets since he earned his way into the lineup as a freshman. The 6-1 guard has had scoring averages of 13 as a freshman, 16.9 as a sophomore, 15.2 as a junior and 15.4 through the first half of his senior season.

With that kind of consistency to count on, Gretna has been to each of the past two Class A state semifinals and won a total of 39 games. And as many big moments as Pokorski has had, his most recent buzzer beater might be the most meaningful. It came during the Metro Tournament just hours after Dragon coach Brad Feeken succumbed to his battle against cancer.

“Landon has had one of the most successful careers of any player to play at Gretna High School. He has helped to lead us to the state semifinals the past two years, along with a strong senior class,” Gretna coach Bill Herd said. “His basketball abilities, in conjunction with his leadership ability, have helped lead our program.”

Ashton Simmons – Shelton, Senior, 6-4

Simmons has been instrumental to the success of Shelton since he was a freshman. He was mostly a backup in his rookie season but quickly seized the opportunity as a starter the next season by scoring 14.7 points per game.

Now, as he approaches the final weeks of his varsity career, Simmons is a 1,000-point scorer and was a big reason why the Bulldogs ended a 27-year state tournament drought and have been to back-to-back state tournaments.

He owns the Shelton career scoring record that had been established 50 years ago.

“Ashton is a pretty special player. He’s the all-around offensive threat that can shoot from the outside, drive to the paint and finish and score in transition,” Shelton coach Will Reutzel said. “He's a competitive kid, which doesn't just come out in games but also in practice as he pushes younger guys to improve.”

Aidan Skradis – Elkhorn South, Senior, 6-2

Skradis is a super-talented guy who, in addition to being one of the best scorers in the state, caught 12 passes, averaged over 18 yards per reception and scored three times for the runner-up Elkhorn South football team.

Until recently, he’s been a support guy on the hardwood. He played in 20 games last year but came off the bench behind a large senior class. Now, he’s taking advantage of being the Storm’s top option, scoring more than 17 points per game while also dishing out an average of better than three assists.

“He is an excellent student, but more importantly, he is a fantastic human. Everyone that I have ever talked to ‘Skrad’ about has nothing but great things to say,” Elkhorn South coach JJ Zumbrennen said. “I am most proud of Skrad for his stick-to-it attitude. Last year he didn't get a ton of varsity time when you could argue he should have. He played behind five really good seniors. I know he was frustrated at times, but he worked over the summer to get better and has put himself in a position to be one of the top scorers in the state.”

Mynor Strong – Omaha North, Senior, 6-1

Strong joined the starting lineup last winter and was a constant for the Vikings, playing nearly 26 minutes per game while scoring an average of about 11 points. He’s been just as vital to North as a senior, rarely coming off the court while improving his average to 16.5 points and posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than two-to-one.

Strong has scored at least double figures in all but one game, has three games with more than 20 points and has had five or more assists five times. He went over 100 career assists this year and has shot better than 40% each of the past two seasons.

Sam Souerdyke – Thayer Central, Junior, 6-3

He made 100 tackles this fall on the football field, has over 200 career tackles and has been just as physical on the hardwood. Souerdyke averaged 21.2 points as a freshman, 19.7 as a sophomore and is in the middle of a junior year with an average of 20.1.

As is obvious from his football talents, he’s not afraid of contact. He’s used that mindset to earn 372 free throws and has scored 261 of his 1,162 career points at the line.

But Souerdyke also isn’t just a bull in a China shop. He has shot at or better than 40% each year of his career, has 73 career three-pointers and 129 assists. The dynamic guard hit 1,000 career points the first game of his junior career when he dropped 36 points.

“Sam has always had a natural feel for the game. Pairing that with his athletic ability has led to

him having a successful high school career so far,” Thayer Central coach Trenton Kuhlman said. “Sam is a natural leader that has really stepped into that role this year. This year Sam has had a lot of attention drawn to him while on offense. He’s done a great job working on trying to get his teammates more involved, which has led to some dips in scoring from time to time.”

Daleron Thomas – Omaha Central, Senior, 6-0

He had 32 points in a game earlier in January and has only been held to single digits twice all season. Behind his leadership, Central has reinserted itself into the Class A championship conversation a little more than a decade after the Eagels won four straight titles.

Thomas put up 32 points on 11 of 16 shooting and hit eight three-pointers in a Metro Tournament win over Millard North that knocked out the Mustangs when they were the No. 1 team in the SBLive Top 25.

He has four games with 20 or more points this season, is shooting 46% and is handing out assists at a ration of 1.68-to-1 against his total number of turnovers.

“Dale has a tremendous work ethic. He is constantly in the gym/weightroom working on his game. I don’t have to ever ask him to put in the extra time,” Central coach Bruce Chubick said. “I think that his role with us has allowed him to shine a little brighter than maybe he previously was able to. We have him running the point the majority of the time, which will be crucial to his post-high school basketball career. I’m sure he will, at the very least, need to be a combo guard at the next level. He has raised the level of the team, and he is an extremely competitive player. I believe he has an extremely bright future.”

Layne Warrior – Bloomfield, Senior, 6-3

His surname says it all, whether it’s on the gridiron or the hardwood, Warrior is exactly that for Bloomfield.

During football season, he’s a speedy receiver who amassed 122 career receptions for 2,279 yards and 36 touchdowns. In the wintertime, he scores nearly 20 points each time out, adds seven or eight rebounds and shoots at better than 50%.

This season he’s 18.2 points through 13 games with six games at 20 points or better and a 30-point performance Dec. 8 against Winside. His strength is off the dribble and with quickness that can get to the hoop. He’s only taken 14 threes but made 70 free throws and shoots 58% from inside the arc.

Alex Wilcoxson – Gretna, Senior, 6-0

Earning a role as a four-year starter at any Class A school is an accomplishment on its own, but it’s what Wilcoxson has done with that playing time that has made him an elite guard.

The Gretna senior has been an important piece in back-to-back trips to the state semifinals and is in the midst of a career that includes nearly 1,000 points, more than 200 rebounds, over 100 assists and nearly 100 steals.

So far, Wilcoxson’s senior season has included four games with more than 20 points, 50% shooting and 49% from three-point range. He will continue his career at the NAIA college basketball level.

“On and off the court, Alex has contributed to the culture of our program and our school,” coach Bill Heard said. “We are looking forward to watching the success he has at Morningside over the next few years.”

Ayden Zikmund – Central City, Senior, 6-3

Zikmund already holds multiple records at Central City and will only add to that list over the next few months. Halfway through his senior year, Zikmund has scored over 1,600 points, has over 300 rebounds, over 150 assists and more than 120 steals.

Most importantly, his efforts have led to 72 total wins and helped end a 76-year drought without a state tournament. The Bison graduated several players from last year’s squad that ended that drought and went 24-3. But with Zikmund still on the roster, Central City has the same record as a year ago at this point thanks to his leadership and work ethic.

“Ayden is a great student-athlete and a positive leader and role model for everyone in our school. His work ethic and the way he treats his teachers, coaches, peers, and youth is second to none,” Central City coach BJ Blasé said. “He cares a lot about his teammates and mostly about the Central City basketball program. Since he has been in high school, he has helped take our program to historic levels.”

--Nathan Charles I @SBLiveNeb