Top talent and four champions return for 2025 girls state championships
By Tony Chapman – For the Nebraska School Activities Association
March Madness begins in full force on Wednesday with the opening round in three of the six classes at the 49th NSAA State Girls Basketball Championships. Classes A, C-1 and D-1 will kick off the championships on Wednesday with Classes B, C-2 and D-2 playing opening round contests on Thursday.
Four of the six defending champions have returned: Millard West (A), Lincoln Christian (C-1), Yutan (C-2) and Pender (D-1) are back to defend their 2024 titles. Pender will look for a third consecutive title after they won Class C-2 in 2023.
Up to date championship information will be delivered via the NSAA Girls Basketball Championship Central page. All first round and state semifinals will be broadcast on the NFHS Network. Saturday’s six championship contest will be broadcast on Nebraska Public Media.
All-Class State Tournament Bracket
CLASS A: Gessert’s, Millard West seek repeat
Looking to repeat their 2024 Class A state championship – and with one of the most talented rosters coming back this season the state – coach Marc Kruger’s Millard West Wildcats knew that anything less than another title might be a disappointment to many.
So, they adopted a simple slogan: Pressure is a privilege.
“The girls just kind of took that and ran with it,” Kruger said, as his Wildcats take a 25-1 record to this week’s state tournament in Lincoln. “I think in a lot of ways our season has been more similar to last year than it has been different.
“Being the favorite does add a little bit of pressure.”
And while the pressure has been there all season, the Wildcats have barely had a hiccup. After a loss to Bellevue East in mid-December, Millard West has not lost since.
Led by Creighton commits – and twins – Neleigh and Norah Gessert, the Cats have been mostly unscathed this year. Neleigh averages 18.1 points and nearly six rebounds per contest, while Norah leads MW in assists with 155. The four-year starters have picked up their game each year, Kruger said.
“They came in as pretty scrawny freshmen,” the coach said, “but each year they have just put in more and more and more work to get to the level they, and our team, is at now.”
Junior Kylee Paben also brings an interior punch of 13.1 points and 6.4 rebounds an outing as the Cats will take on Millard South in the opening round on Wednesday. MW won the regular season contest, 44-24.
“What we learned the first time is they really get out and guard you,” Kruger said. “Their pressure and physical play made it really difficult for us to score, but I also thought we guarded really well in that game and we’ll need to do that every day in Lincoln to have a chance.”
The MW-Millard South winner will face the winner of Lincoln North Star and wild card Omaha Westview in the semifinals. Second-ranked and second-seeded Millard North will face Omaha Westside, while Bellevue East and Bellevue West, the 2024 runner-up, will play in the nightcap on Wednesday. BW is 15-2 after a 6-6 start to the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Norah Gessert (Millard West), 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 155 assists. Aubrey Carter (Millard South), 10.7 points, 7 rebounds/game, 63 assists. Ani Leu (Lincoln North Star), 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds/game. Stella Williams (Omaha Westview), 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds/game. Avril Smith (Millard North), 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds/game, 47 blocks. Himayajo Metoyer (Omaha Westside), 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds/game. T’Niyah Wilson-Smith (Bellevue East), 21.6 points, 12.8 rebounds/game. Stevie Harley (Bellevue West), 12.8 points, 6.9 rebounds/game, 64 blocks..
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena | Millard West (25-1) vs. Millard South (16-9), 1:30 PM; Lincoln North Star (18-5) vs. Omaha Westview (21-4), 3:15 PM; Millard North (22-3) vs. Omaha Westside (19-6) 6:00 PM; Bellevue East (21-4) vs. Bellevue West (17-8), 7:45 PM.
CLASS B: Post Prince, Skutt and Pius at the top of B
Elkhorn North’s dominant run through the Eastern Midlands Conference and Class B has come to an end now with Britt Prince at Nebraska and McKenna Murphy playing collegiately at Colorado State. So, there will be a new champion in Class B as second-seeded Lincoln Pius X knocked out the Wolves in the district final round on Saturday.
Three-time consecutive finalist Omaha Skutt (25-1) leads the list of title contenders as they have shared time with Lincoln Pius X at the top of most polls this year. Senior Molly Ladwig (18.8 points/game) leads the Skyhawk attack as they have split a pair of games with Lincoln Pius this season. The University of Buffalo commit also has 102 rebounds, 75 assists and 53 steals on the season.
Pius looms on the other side of the bracket.
The 22-4 Bolts have played a slightly heavier Class A schedule. Seniors Keeleigh Knobbe (14.2 points/game) and Hannah Bedient (10 points, 7.7 rebounds) have led a balanced Pius attack during the season. Pius’ draw, however, is a tough one as they have defeated seventh-seeded Gretna East 43-41 and 46-41 during the regular season.
Skutt faces Norris in the opening round with the winner drawing either Bennington or Sidney in Friday’s semifinals. The Pius-Gretna East winner will play the winner of York and Waverly. The Vikings won the regular season game with the Dukes, 43-30.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kamryn Kasner (Omaha Skutt Catholic), 10.2 points, 10.3 rebounds/game, 75 assists. Landri Gates (Norris), 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds/game. Presley Baca (Bennington), 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 28 blocks. Kierra Schrader (Sidney), 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds/game, 56 steals. Keeleigh Knobbe (Lincoln Pius X), 14.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 50 steals. Karli Williams (Gretna East), 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds/game, 77 steals. Parker Christiansen (Waverly) 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds/game, 50 blocks. Lainey Portwine (York), 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds/game, 72 assists, 66 steals.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena | Omaha Skutt (25-1) vs Norris (16-8), 1:30 PM; Bennington (21-4) vs. Sidney (22-4), 3:15 PM; Lincoln Pius X (22-4) vs. Gretna East (18-6), 6:00 PM; Waverly (20-3) vs. York (23-2), 7:45 PM.
CLASS C-1: Christian seeks repeat, Minden a double
Defending Class C-1 champion Lincoln Christian has put little doubt in the minds of many that they have their eyes set on a repeat this week. The unbeaten Crusaders have played just two games all year under ten points: wins over Milford (69-67) and Lincoln Pius X (55-49).
The Crusaders road to a championship begins with a familiar foe, North Bend Central (20-7). The Tigers gave LC fits for a long-time last year in the first round before falling 51-39. Now, NBC, which won four straight titles from 2020-2023, is in the field for the sixth straight season.
Seniors Mattea Kassebaum, who averages 20.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and Kena Ailes have been the linchpins for coach Steve Klein’s team all season. Ailes is averaging a double-double. Junior Maci Pittenger also chips in 10.8 points per contest.
Six other powerful teams remain and make the race with Christian very interesting.
The aforementioned Milford Eagles, with the confidence of their holiday loss to Christian, have one of the top guards in the state in Ayla Roth (13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 99 assists) and the post duo of Ashlynn Miller and Shayla Rautenberg. They face seventh-seeded Arlington, who has three players (Britt Nielsen, Emerson Timm and Macy Wolf) over 11 points per contest.
The most intriguing matchup in the first round could be two-time defending volleyball champion Minden (24-2) facing Christian’s Centennial Conference mate Scotus Central Catholic (21-4). Both teams have the makeup to advance all the way through the bracket with two of the classes top overall athletes – Mattie Kamery for Minden and Emma Brezenski for Scotus – leading their teams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kena Ailes (Lincoln Christian), 15.2 points, 11 rebounds/game. Lindsey Emanuel (North Bend Central), 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds/game, 92 assists, 68 steals. Alex Beveridge (Gothenburg), 13.2 points, 5 rebounds/game. Tacey From (Bridgeport), 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds/game, 163 steals. Mattie Kamery (Minden), 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds/game, 107 steals, 91 assists. Emma Brezenski (Scotus Central Catholic), 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds/game, 111 steals, 91 assists. Shayla Rautenberg (Milford) 14 points, 8.9 rebounds/game, 64 blocks. Emerson Timm (Arlington) 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds/game, 154 assists.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Devaney Center | Lincoln Christian (25-0) vs. North Bend Central (20-7), 9:00 AM; Gothenburg (20-3) vs. Bridgeport (25-1), 10:45 AM; Minden (24-2) vs. Scotus Central Catholic (21-4), 1:30 PM; Milford (23-1) vs. Arlington (21-4), 3:15 PM.
CLASS C-2: Loaded C-2 field has perennial powers
How deep is the 2025 Class C-2 girls basketball field? Unbeaten and 26-0 Elkhorn Valley was able to garner just the fourth-seed via the NSAA power point standings. Only defending champion Yutan has advanced to Lincoln with fewer than 20 wins.
Yes, it’s that deep.
Consider that the seventh-seed, Yutan (18-6), will have a 2024 championship game rematch with Crofton in the opening round. And, one of the top chasers to top-ranked Crofton this year has been Guardian Angels Central Catholic, which is the eighth-seed. The Bluejays face top-seeded Johnson-Brock (25-1), who has a lone loss to Lincoln Christian on the season.
Johnson-Brock, with senior Taryn Otteman averaging nearly 19 points and nine rebounds per contest, is on the same side of the bracket with Elkhorn Valley. The Falcons get double digit scoring from seniors Karlee Brobeg (16.6 points) and JJ Black (12.4) and sophomore Cameron Rutjens (12.0). EV will face 24-2 Cross County in the first round.
The Crofton-Yutan winner will get either Oakland-Craig or Homer in the semifinals. The Knights, with senior standout Briar Ray (13.8 points, 7 rebounds/game, 85 steals, 82 assists) are making their sixth appearance in seven years and were state finalists in 2023, losing to Pender in the Class C-2 final. Homer – the 2011 champion – makes their first state appearance since 2014.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bailey Gerths (GACC), 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds/game. JJ Black (Elkhorn Valley), 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds/game, 86 blocks, 84 assists. Eden Peterson (Cross County) 13.1 points, 2.8 rebounds/game. Sammie Allen (Crofton), 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds/game, 77 steals. Mylee Tichota (Yutan), 16 points, 8.8 rebounds/game, 91 steals, 81 assists. Adi Rennerfeldt (Oakland-Craig), 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds/game. Ali Albrecht (Homer) 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds/game.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Devaney Center | Johnson-Brock (25-1) vs. Guardian Angels Central Catholic (21-5), 9:00 AM; Elkhorn Valley (26-0) vs. Cross County (24-2),10:45 AM; Crofton (23-3) vs. Yutan (18-6), 1:30 PM; Oakland-Craig (23-3) vs. Homer (24-2), 3:15 PM.
CLASS D-1: Pendragons seek third straight title
Some things seem to not change in March for the Pender girls basketball team. They seek a third straight state championship this week – a second in Class D-1 after winning Class C-2 in 2023 – and they will face a familiar conference mate in the opening round in Lincoln.
This year, it’s East Husker mate Howells-Dodge (17-9) in the opening round. In 2023, the Pendragons defeated Clarkson/Leigh and last season they topped Bancroft-Rosalie in the first round. Such is life in the EHC, which sent seven teams to the district final round, and will send four teams to the state tournament.
“Playing the schedule we do certainly seems to help this time of year,” Pendragon coach Jason Dolliver said. “And, man, with Howells-Dodge they are not your typical 8-seed. They are very, very well coached, a fun team to watch and we know they won’t back down from anyone.”
The Jaguars have one other thing in their hip pocket going into the 9:00 AM game on Wednesday that will kick off the tournament – a 52-40 win over Pender in late January. The win came just one game after leading scorer Hadley Walsh was injured in a game against Elkhorn North. She has since returned and Pender beat H-D, 69-44 in the sub-district final.
Like last year, the Pendragons spread the floor and try to get up as many 3-point shots as possible. They set a state record a season ago with 266 made 3-point goals and head to Lincoln this week with 240 on the season. Senior Maya Dolliver, an Augustana (SD) pledge, averages 15.8 points with 6.3 rebounds while Walsh is at 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a contest.
“Any time you get down to Lincoln, you have to get the ball in the basket,” coach Dolliver said. “We are going to shoot it when we are open, that’s just how we play.”
It’s a statewide list of challengers for the Pendragons this year, with second-seeded Elm Creek (24-1) near the top of the list. Southwest (23-1) and state volleyball champion Superior (21-4) also are capable teams that could challenge the Pendragons.
Those teams will face, in order, Diller-Odell, Cedar Catholic and first-time qualifier Alma in the opening round. Superior and Alma will complete the morning PBA session, while the other four will play the night session at Devaney on Wednesday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Madalyn Dolliver (Pender), 13.1 points, 3.7 rebounds/game. Jordan Ratzlaff (Howells-Dodge), 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds/game. Reagan Meyers (Superior), 16.1 points, 12.1 rebounds/game, 52 blocks. Kamryn Scott (Alma), 14 points, 2.5 rebounds/game, 98 steals. Ashley Bauer (Elm Creek), 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds/game. Myleigh Weers (Diller-Odell), 23.1 points, 6 rebounds/game, 109 steals. Aspen Billeter (Southwest) 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds/game. Anisten Wortmann (Cedar Catholic) 12.2 points, 5 rebounds/game.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena | Pender (25-2) vs. Howells-Dodge (17-9), 9:00 AM; Superior (21-4) vs. Alma (20-6), 10:45 AM. At Devaney Center | Elm Creek (24-1) vs. Diller-Odell (18-7), 6:00 PM; Southwest (23-1) vs. Cedar Catholic (15-11), 7:45 PM.
CLASS D-2: After volleyball title, Shelton has eyes on a double
After winning their first state volleyball title in the fall, Shelton opened their basketball season with a 56-54 loss to Class D-1 qualifier Elm Creek. But, ever since? The Bulldogs have rattled off 25 straight victories, earning the top-seed in the Class D-2 field as they look for a volleyball, basketball double which was also achieved by last season’s champion Overton.
The Bulldogs have dominated their opponents. They have just one win that was less than 10 points – a 41-37 win over Red Cloud – and defeated first round opponent Wilcox-Hildreth 42-28 in the fifth game of the season.
Shelton’s attacking defense has caused opponents fits all season as they have 341 steals as a team with senior Ellie Morgan credited with 117. She leads the team in scoring at 17.4 points per contest. Teammate Erin Gegg adds 14.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
The bottom half of the bracket features perennial power Falls City Sacred Heart, who have been in six state championship games since 2017. The Irish and coach Luke Santo have just nine players on their roster this season. Their first round opponent, Anselmo-Merna, topped state volleyball runner-up Leyton in the district final.
The loaded bottom side also features St. Mary’s and Archangels Catholic, formerly Humphrey St. Francis, in the other first round game. St. Mary’s, which finished fourth in Class D-1 last year, will make their fourth consecutive appearance, while Archangels will technically make their first appearance. As St. Francis, they had been to the state tournametn each March since 2018.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ellie Morgan (Shelton), 17.4 points/game, 117 steals. Madison Bunger (Wilcox-Hildreth), 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds/game. Gabrielle Theis (Dorchester), 12 points, 3 rebounds/game. Sophie Schmidt (Silver Lake), 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds/game, 82 steals. Jentry Lechtenberg (Falls City Sacred Heart), 15.2 points, 8.9 rebounds/game. Makenna Miller (Anselmo-Merna), 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds/game, 143 assists. Isabelle Preister (Archangels Catholic), 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds/game.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena | Shelton (25-1) vs. Wilcox-Hildreth (18-8), 9:00 AM; Dorchester (23-2) vs. Silver Lake (21-4), 10:45 AM. At Devaney Center | Falls City Sacred Heart (23-4) vs. Anselmo-Merna (20-5), 6:00 PM; St. Mary’s (24-2) vs. Archangels Catholic (19-7), 7:45 AM.
Tony Chapman is a freelance writer based in Grand Island. He has written for multiple Nebraska daily and weekly newspapers. His weekly Harvest Sports Newsletter covers a wide variety of Nebraska prep sports.