All 16U Nebraska Teams Taking on AAU Nationals

Let's peek ahead at Wave 3.   Rest assured, we will have discussions on all of Nebraska's top standouts from Wave 2, particularly among the 15U divisions in Orlando. We previewed that list of entries <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/all-nebraska-15u-teams-taking-on-aau-nationals/">here</a>, and we're about to do the same with the 16s. A new age group is preparing to enter the spotlight.   Here's an overview of the Cornhusker State representatives in Wave 3 at AAU Nationals.     16 Open   Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi   The Cornhusker State is in good hands for the 16 Open race.   Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi enters the mix as one of several Nebraska Elite entries across the AAU age spectrum. We'll point to the Midwest Power League and Show Me Qualifier as two venues where 16 Lokahi has shown its best stuff. High-flying pin hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'], [player_tooltip player_id='276194' first='Audrey' last='Bassett'], and [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota'] will be asked to shoulder a lot of swings in Orlando. We'll also be looking for the outstanding backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='276191' first='Elena' last='Estudillo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349420' first='McKinzie' last='Brandt'] to take the next step against the nation's best. What an opportunity.   <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/1776629664636657917 </div></figure>   16 Premier   Nebraska Juniors 16 Black   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black   Here's a fun Wave 3 pairing to watch.   Nebraska Juniors 16 Black has challenged itself through Open-level competitions this year, so AAU Nationals is just another step in the journey. [player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='276202' first='Ashley' last='Beethe'] are an elite scoring duo from the small-town scene, but 16 Black's offensive strength goes beyond these two. [player_tooltip player_id='443105' first='London' last='Meints'], [player_tooltip player_id='396762' first='Samantha' last='Plas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='518608' first='Elzada' last='Gernstein'] have cemented their vital roles with Nebraska Juniors and will keep developing at AAUs.   The 16 Premier division also welcomes [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black, a group with ample Nationals experience on the USAV side. Orlando offers a chance for this group to gel further after several highlight moments in 2024. Versatile attackers dot the entire [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] lineup, so pay attention to names like [player_tooltip player_id='349456' first='Carlie' last='Talbott'], [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349455' first='Alivia' last='Gustafson'].     16 Club   Club Legacy 16 Alpha   [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy   [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black   This group is stacked. Keep an eye on Nebraska's trio of championship contenders in 16 Club.   Club Legacy 16 Alpha has always been a tough competitor in Nebraska's 16s scene. This is a great chance to prove that aptitude on the national stage, and 16 Alpha has the talent to get it done. [player_tooltip player_id='396745' first='Addison' last='Janke'] runs a smooth offense that features a heavy dose of [player_tooltip player_id='396742' first='Resa' last='Milbourn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349464' first='Annabella' last='Suljuzovic']. [player_tooltip player_id='396746' first='Jane' last='Kubat'] will anchor the defense.   We have fond memories of [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy competing at high-profile events, including the Show Me Qualifier. This squad incorporates a fascinating medley of 2026s and 2027s to produce an impressive on-court product. [player_tooltip player_id='349472' first='Emeline' last='Myers'] commands the backcourt and gives plenty of perfect passes to setter [player_tooltip player_id='349467' first='Mariah' last='Dutcher']. [player_tooltip player_id='458181' first='Faith' last='Wiechman'] and Tre'Sor Porter carry the torch for the Class of 2027.   Of course, we can't forget about [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black. Here's another group that used Show Me as a launching pad for a late-season surge. 16 Black thrives off the gritty defense of [player_tooltip player_id='349482' first='Piper' last='Petersen'], which sets up ample scoring opportunities for frontcourt stars like [player_tooltip player_id='396756' first='Raleigh' last='Bowen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349476' first='Lauren' last='Eggerling'].   <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/1776723577154502684 </div></figure>   <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/1777039055777374658 </div></figure>   16 Aspire   Nebraska Elite 16 Nova   Here's our second Nebraska Elite entry on the 16U side.   Nebraska Elite 16 Nova has a great shot to make some noise in 16 Aspire. We'll keep harping on this team's balance of ball control and frontcourt firepower. [player_tooltip player_id='345147' first='Maggie' last='McMahon'] has been a consistent leader for 16 Nova and has a ton of offensive weapons to wield in any rotation. [player_tooltip player_id='349449' first='Reese' last='Stradal'], [player_tooltip player_id='349424' first='Halle' last='Mason'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349451' first='Reese' last='Blankenau'] are just a few of the 16 Nova athletes who have taken big steps forward this year.     16 Spirit   Nebraska Elite 16 Heat   [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Red   One more for Nebraska Elite and [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'].   Nebraska Elite 16 Heat features several players we're assessing for our upcoming rankings update. [player_tooltip player_id='518600' first='Julia' last='Perrotto']'s stable presence in the lineup has been a strong point for 16 Heat. We're also looking for [player_tooltip player_id='518598' first='Haley' last='Mattox'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349461' first='Morgan' last='Zabloudil'] to build on some positive momentum at AAUs.   Depth is a serious advantage for [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] in the 16s age group. 16 Red will trot out a stout group of emerging talents, headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='402589' first='Riley' last='Homan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='582853' first='Taryn' last='Lewis']. And, as with 16 Heat, several of 16 Red's standouts are ready to join our next iteration of the 2026 watch list.     16 Elite   Nebraska Juniors 16 Red   Finally, we're going two-deep in the Nebraska Juniors camp.   Nebraska Juniors 16 Red knows how to show up in big moments. We documented 16 Red's hot start in the Show Me Qualifier, culminating in a 3-0 record after the opening round of pool play. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='402985' first='Maddie' last='Johnson'] was a major part of that effort. [player_tooltip player_id='253935' first='Sophie' last='Gleason'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518615' first='Sutton' last='Classen'] also had breakout performances in Kansas City, and we're ready to cover the next wave of stock risers from Orlando.   <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/1776663145903280602 </div></figure>

Let's peek ahead at Wave 3.