Nebraska High School Girls Basketball: Playoff Picture Heats Up

The Nebraska high school girls basketball postseason is underway, with district and sub-district games determining who advances to the state tournament. Several undefeated teams are still in contention, adding to the excitement as teams navigate the gauntlet of playoff competition.

Key Matchups & Games to Watch

Class C2 Sub-District: No. 2 Alma vs. No. 5 Centura (February 27)

The most highly anticipated matchup of the week is a Class C2 sub-district showdown between No. 2 Alma (23-1) and No. 5 Centura (21-3). NebPreps Computer Ratings highlight this game as a defensive battle, with Alma allowing a stingy 25.9 points per game and Centura close behind at 24.4. Alma scores 60.8 points per game, while Centura averages 56.6, suggesting a closely contested, low-scoring affair with significant state tournament implications.

Sub-District Spotlight Games (February 27)

• Class D1: No. 4 Shelton vs. No. 6 Arapahoe – Shelton (20-3) boasts a strong defense, allowing just 32.4 points per game, while Arapahoe (20-4) has a tougher strength of schedule.
• Class C1: No. 4 Omaha Nation vs. No. 8 Holdrege – Omaha Nation (21-2) leads with a high offensive output of 66.0 points per game, countered by Holdrege’s (20-3) top-7 strength of schedule.
• Class C2: No. 3 Pender vs. No. 10 Johnson County Central – Pender (22-2) has the eighth-toughest schedule in C2, while Johnson County Central (18-5) focuses on a defensive strategy, surrendering only 31.2 points per game.
• Class D2: No. 6 Paxton vs. No. 7 Silver Lake – A closely rated matchup with Paxton (15-6) slightly edging Silver Lake (17-4) in scoring.

District Play: Class A and B (February 25)

Class A and B district play commenced on Wednesday, February 25th. Top matchups include No. 3 Kearney hosting South Sioux City, and a competitive Class B game between No. 10 Papillion-LaVista and No. 15 Papillion-La Vista South. In Class B, No. 6 Blair faced Lincoln Standing Bear, and No. 9 Omaha Gross Catholic played Elkhorn North, with potential for upsets.

Undefeated Teams Face Postseason Tests

Three Nebraska girls basketball teams entered the postseason with perfect records:

• Bennington (23-0, Class B): Currently the state’s highest-rated girls team at 96.53, Bennington is a strong contender in Class B.
• Bloomfield (23-0, Class D1): The top-rated D1 team at 95.06, Bloomfield will face Wauneta-Palisade in their sub-district opener.
• Elkhorn Valley (23-0, Class C2): Sitting atop C2 with a 92.22 rating, Elkhorn Valley will play Aquinas Catholic, a team with a deceptive record and a challenging schedule.

Looking Ahead

As the playoffs progress, these matchups and undefeated teams will be key storylines to watch. The NebPreps Computer Ratings will continue to provide insights into the competitive landscape as teams battle for a chance to compete for the state championship.