Nebraska District Preview: Class A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time for some district action. Let's set a championship bracket!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're diving right into some district and sub-district previews with these postseason matches quickly approaching at the start of this week. Of course, Class A is a bit of an outlier with its format for determining a state championship bracket. The lack of sub-districts means that every winner in this week's district brackets will advance to Lincoln, plus one additional non-winning team based on wildcard points to complete a field of eight. Class A district brackets are set, so it's about time to raise the stakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the rundown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Papillion-La Vista South</strong> is the top dog once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans climbed the ladder to reclaim their spot atop the Class A wildcard standings. It's been a remarkable ride for the defending champs following last year's undefeated campaign. Despite all the graduations and lineup strife, the 28-4 Titans are ready to make some postseason noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578518884239691776?s=20u0026t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578518884239691776?s=20&amp;t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Papio South will await the winner of Monday's meeting between <strong>Omaha Westview</strong> and <strong>Omaha Benson</strong>. It's been fascinating to follow the inaugural fall season for Westview, and I can't wait to see what this program builds in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the bracket, <strong>Columbus</strong> and <strong>Omaha Burke</strong> meet in the A-1 semifinals. These two have one prior meeting this year, with Columbus taking a 2-0 win in an early-October tournament setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's where we greet the Silver Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Papio South, <strong>Lincoln Southwest</strong> put together an impressive 2022 season despite losing some incredibly impactful players from last fall's squad. If late-season tournaments are a good barometer, this Silver Hawk squad looks ready-made for the big stage in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1581363315896295424?s=20u0026t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1581363315896295424?s=20&amp;t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Platte</strong> and <strong>Omaha Bryan</strong> will meet Monday night for the A-2 opener for the right to battle Southwest. Meanwhile, the bottom of the bracket will feature an intriguing matchup between <strong>Kearney</strong> and <strong>Millard North</strong>. Rising young talent has been a prevailing storyline with both of these squads, and this district semifinal is a tough one to predict.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the Monarchs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Papillion-La Vista</strong> has delivered on some preseason hype and claimed the #3 spot in the Class A wildcard standings. It doesn't seem that long ago that the Monarchs featured one of the youngest lineups in the Omaha Metro, but now the lineup is full of seasoned veterans who mesh so well together. The ceiling is high for Papio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Northeast</strong> and <strong>Omaha North</strong> open play in A-3 on Monday. For another match that ought to catch some buzz, keep an eye on this district's semifinal contest between <strong>Norfolk</strong> and <strong>Elkhorn South</strong>. After winning the 2020 state championship and reaching the Class A semifinals a year ago, the Storm now faces a gauntlet in this A-3 bracket. The performance of this new-look Elkhorn South roster is worth following amid the flurry of district contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This district has some nice regional variety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omaha Westside</strong> heads up this pod. We've recently discussed the lineup shuffles that the Warriors have undergone this year. Westside has not relented even after a handful of injuries at a single position, and this district could be a great launching point for another state tournament milestone. Class A's #4 wildcard team will face the winner of the first-round contest between <strong>Lincoln High</strong> and <strong>Omaha South</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other semifinal, <strong>Grand Island</strong> lurks as the second seed and will face <strong>Millard South</strong> for a shot at the district final. The Islanders have some impressive frontcourt talent that could match up well in a potential contest with Westside for the A-4 championship. Keep your eyes peeled here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We might see some parity in A5, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln East</strong> spearheads this district after a hard-fought 21-10 campaign. The Spartans have gone toe-to-toe with the best that Class A has to offer, and this experienced, versatile group would not be rattled by the pressure of a state tournament. East awaits whichever team emerges from the <strong>Omaha Northwest</strong>-<strong>Omaha Buena Vista</strong> match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1581339851869208576?s=20u0026t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1581339851869208576?s=20&amp;t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even if Lincoln East reaches the district finals, a tough challenge will inevitably await. <strong>Fremont</strong> and <strong>Bellevue East</strong> are on the other half of the bracket with the Tigers claiming the #2 seed. I see a lot of parallels in the style of play between Lincoln East and Fremont, so this could be a wild matchup if A-5 goes chalk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've reached the four-team pods in Class A districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike all the previous districts we've discussed, the top seeds in A-6 and A-7 do not wait for the results of a "play-in" match to know their first opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretna</strong> leads the pack in this district and will meet <strong>Omaha Central</strong> to open A-6 action. On the other side, <strong>Omaha Marian</strong> has an intriguing bout with <strong>Lincoln North Star</strong>. We saw what Marian can accomplish in a slight underdog role when the Crusaders took down Millard West in pool play of the Metro Conference Tournament. However, the Crusaders also might have to get revenge against Gretna, the team that prevented them from reaching the Metro semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1571134944453488642?s=20u0026t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1571134944453488642?s=20&amp;t=SthSVrP_vGlayRRcdQmLVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we've reached the tightest bracket of them all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The A-7 district features two teams locked right next to one another in the overall wildcard standings, so you know there's usually drama here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard West</strong> and <strong>Lincoln Pius X</strong> are the #1 and #2 seeds here, respectively. These two still have work to do to face off in the district finals, however. We'll have an intra-city battle between Pius and <strong>Lincoln Southeast</strong>, while Millard West welcomes fourth-seeded <strong>Bellevue West</strong>. Make predictions if you dare.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->