2025 Great Plains Region Bid Tournament Preview: 15s and 16s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's secure a few more trips to Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, the Great Plains Region started its in-state battles to determine regional berths for USAV Nationals. The 17s and 18s entered the spotlight first, and we have a full bid breakdown <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/04/nebraska-bid-tracker-17s-and-18s-battle-for-great-plains-bids/">here</a>. Now, with no major qualifier trips on our agenda this weekend, we can hone in on Sunday's outings for the 15s and 16s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have the full list of teams competing in these age groups at the bid tournament, and with so much on the line, we're bound to see some drama. Here's the full breakdown of this weekend's slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dozen 16s squads will travel to the UBT Sports Complex in what should be an entertaining Sunday gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Gold</strong> cements its frontrunner status as the tournament's No. 1 overall seed. This group has played a rigorous schedule in the Open division and knows how to bring intensity in these high-pressure moments. 16 Gold is slated to play a pool contest against their <strong>16 Silver</strong> counterparts. <strong>AVC 16 Blue</strong> also joins the three-team pool, hoping to start an upset bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't have to go far to find the next Premier Nebraska contender. <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Black</strong> is the second-overall seed and could build off an exceptional showing at last weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier. Seeing multiple bid-earning efforts from Premier Nebraska would not be a surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a crucial weekend for <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black</strong>, which sits atop Pool 3. Like many of the other teams here, 16 Black is fresh off a Minneapolis trip and has honed its skills against the nation's best. <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Red</strong> and <strong>NVA 16 Elite</strong> enter the mix in this pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big expectations for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black in the 16 USA division.<br><br>Already showing off some of its elite form in Friday's opener. <a href="https://t.co/4iiOZ6klHY">pic.twitter.com/4iiOZ6klHY</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1905730084574843250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for the small-town groups. <strong>Kearney Elite 16-1</strong> should capture some attention after securing Pool 4's top seed. This squad has performed well on the regional stage and intends to carry that momentum into the postseason. This is also where we can bring in <strong>South Central NE 16 Black</strong> and <strong>16 Red</strong> to expand the regional map further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearney Elite will face a stiff challenge from [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black, which reached the final 16 Liberty bracket at NLQ. This will also be our first look at <strong>Banzai VBC 16 Power</strong> this year. Pool 4 will be a slugfest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">15s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We go from a dozen 16s teams to a baker's dozen in the 15s age group. This gives us four teams in Pool 1, adding to the intrigue and chaos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, like the 16s, Premier Nebraska has locked up the top seed in the 15s bid tournament. <strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Gold</strong> will not shy away from fierce competition in Lincoln. This was a Triple Crown NIT power pool team and a strong contender at NLQ. The four-team pool brings <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Blue</strong>, <strong>Banzai VBC 15 Select</strong>, and <strong>South Central NE 15 Red</strong> into the fray. Keep tabs on 15 Blue after the team's deep NLQ run during the event's second weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Checking in on the 15 Open race.<a href="https://twitter.com/Premier_15Gold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Premier_15Gold</a> starts a classic Midwest showdown with MAVS. <a href="https://t.co/KZFIhE4eML">pic.twitter.com/KZFIhE4eML</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1906003701648535931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite</strong> is in a unique position. The No. 2 seed already has a 15 USA bid after finishing runner-up at NLQ #2. A 15 National bid is still on the table, however, so 15 Elite is back on the grind. <strong>South Central NE 15 Black</strong> and <strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Silver</strong> look to push 15 Elite in Pool 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have the full spectrum of Premier Nebraska squads in this age group. <strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Black</strong> is the No. 1 seed in Pool 3, and <strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Red</strong> is the second-overall seed in Pool 4. Either one could be in the top half of the final Gold bracket after pool play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for some underdogs to find headway in an unpredictable 15s division. <strong>Club Legacy 15 Alpha</strong> is lurking in Pool 3, and teams like <strong>AVC 15 Black</strong> and <strong>NVA 15 Elite</strong> could also reach some milestones in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Narrow margins define the final 15s pool. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black</strong> sits atop this group after climbing to a top-ten finish in NLQ's 15 Liberty division. The aforementioned Premier 15 Red squad will be a tough out in this one, so don't miss the morning duel between these two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Catching up with <a href="https://twitter.com/[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']</a> 15 Black after the team's strong outing at the Midwest Power League.<br><br>One step closer to a 2-0 start at NLQ. <a href="https://t.co/clunpuvIkW">pic.twitter.com/clunpuvIkW</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1905640274056917439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote>