Nebraska high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (2/5/2024)

Bellevue West makes 13 3-pointers in win over Lincoln Southeast

In one of its most dominant shooting performances of the season, Bellevue West controlled the perimeter all evening during a 58-50 win over Lincoln Southeast. The Thunderbirds went 13 for 25 from 3-point range and picked up their fifth consecutive win. During a rollercoaster season, Bellevue West has finally found more consistency and makes its way back in SBLive’s Top 10. 

1. Millard West (18-1, Last Week #1) 

Neleigh Gessert scored 25 and twin sister Norah Gessert added 10 points during a 60-36 blowout win over Papillion-La Vista. The Wildcats’ defense held PLV to just two points in the first period and four in the final quarter en route to the win. Millard West faces 7-10 Westview Tuesday and should get to the 19-win mark. 

2. Elkhorn North (16-1, Last Week #2)

The Wolves have won two straight since its shocking loss to Waverly. North bounced back with a 76-57 win over South Sioux City, followed by a 64-48 win over York. Though Waverly was a blemish on North’s perfect season, there’s no doubt Elkhorn North is still the team to beat in Class B.

3. Lincoln Southwest (15-3, Last Week #5)

Kennadi Williams had a nice night during a 41-34 win over Gretna East, netting 18. Brenly Noerrlinger and Hayden Rathe added six en route to the victory. The Silverhawks also notched a big win over top-10 Lincoln Northeast. Up next is Columbus Tuesday at home.

4. Skutt Catholic (18-1, Last Week #4)

Skutt’s only loss of the season came in early January during a bad loss to Elkhorn North. THe 71-53 loss, though, wasn’t indicative of this team’s ability – they’re much better than that. Since, they haven’t even been challenged once. Tuesday’s matchup against Norris, though, could be interesting. We are picking Skutt, but this one could be competitive well into the second half.

5. Lincoln North Star (14-3, Last Week #3)

North Star won two of three last week, but drop two spots in this week’s rankings. The Navigators picked up easy wins against Fremont and Burke, but fell to a Lincoln Pius X. We think North Star will pick up wins against Lincoln East and Grand Island this week before a showdown with Lincoln Southwest Saturday.

6. Papillion-La Vista South (13-5, Last Week #6)

PLVS had a big week, notching two wins – one over a very good Lincoln Northeast squad. During that win, junior Ella Morehouse scored 17 and Addison Medeck and Mya Lempp added 13 and 10 points, respectively. The Titans face Burke Tuesday before a big one Friday versus rival Papillion.

7. Lincoln Northeast (15-5, Last Week NR)

The Rockets have bounced back from their back-to-back losses to PLVS and Lincoln Southwest, winning over Elkhorn South and Kearney. Both wins came by more than 20 points, largely in part to performances from Doneelah Washington and Serena Heeran. Buena Vista and Benson are up next for the Rockets.

8. Millard North (13-5, Last Week #7)

The Mustangs went 1-1 last week, picking up an easy win over Millard South before losing by 12 to top-ranked Millard West. North faces Bellevue East and Duchesne this week. Both of these games are winnable, though East has proven to be capable as of late.

9. Omaha Central (15-5, Last Week #9)

The Eagles last week picked up wins against Gretna dn Fremont – both coming by more than 20. A big one lies ahead on Friday when Central faces a hot Bellevue West squad that’s won five straight. Inia Jones is scoring more than 19 per game for Central, and Lilliana Peterson is adding about eight.

10. Bellevue West (11-6, Last Week #12)

For the first time this season, Bellevue West has seemingly found the formula to string together numerous wins. Winning five straight, the Thunderbirds picked up a big one this past week over Lincoln Southeast, netting 13 3’s en route to the victory. Naomi White scored 16 and Kenzie Melcher and Ahnica Russell-Brown both added 15.

11. Lincoln Pius X (12-6, Last Week #16)

Pius has won four straight, including big victories over Marian and Lincoln North Star. During the win over the Navigators, Brynn Sebek and Keeleigh Knobbe both scored 15. Senior Sara Iburg added 11. Several winnable games are on tap this week, with the first coming Tuesday against Lincoln High.

12. Lincoln Southeast (13-4, Last Week #8)

The Knights went 1-1 last week, picking up a 10-point win over Norfolk before having a perimeter defense meltdown during a loss to Bellevue West. The Knights look to get back on track Tuesday when they face an Omaha Westside team stuck in a losing skid. Kearney and PLV will be interesting matchups later in the week.

13. Marian (13-5, Last Week #14)

The Crusaders won games against Omaha South and Omaha Westside last Week. On Tuesday, Marian faces Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln, who is 8-10 on the season. We think Marian will win this one before facing Millard West Friday, and Millard South Saturday.

14. Papillion-La Vista (12-4, Last Week #10)

PLV was run out of the gym last week by top-ranked Millard West, falling 60-36. The Monarchs did, though, win two last week against Omaha North and Omaha Northwest. This week, they face Benson, PLVS and Lincoln Southeast. Winning two would be huge, but one is more likely.

15. Bellevue East (11-6, Last Week #11)

Bellevue East last week won 54-34 against Lincoln High, a confidence-building win leading up to a crosstown rivalry game this week and Bellevue West. Following that matchup, East faces Millard North before tackling Westview Saturday. We think Bell East wins against Westview, but the other two are a lot tougher.

16. Norris (13-3, Last Week #19)

The Titans dropped a rough one to Class C1 Lincoln Christian last week, but also notched a big win over Class B Beatrice. Norris is a solid team, with its other losses this year coming to Elkhorn North and Waverly – a one-point loss in the first game of the season. A big matchup looms Tuesday against Skutt Catholic. The Titans will need to fire on all cylinders to win this one.

17. Gretna East (11-6, Last Week #17)

Gretna East has won five of the last six, including two wins over Class A opponents. This past week, they played well but fell 41-34 to Lincoln Southwest. This week, the Griffins have two winnable matchups against Elkhorn South and Lincoln High.

18. Waverly (12-4, Last Week #13)

Waverly won two of three last week, beating Bishop Neumann and Aurora, but falling to Gretna East 58-48. During the win over Aurora, junior Annie Harms netted 21. Teammate Parker Christiansen added 10. Up next is Duchesne and Hastings, both games we expect the Vikings to take.

19. Beatrice (15-2, Last Week #18)

Beatrice fell to Norris 57-52 last week, but rallied the following game, beating Wahoo 47-38. Tuesday’s matchup against Lincoln Christian actually carries some weight now, as they knocked off Norris in an upset last week. We are taking Beatrice, but this could be an interesting matchup.

20. Sidney (20-0, Last Week NR)

Sidney is the top team in Class C1, and breaks into our top-25 rankings this week. Sidney last week picked up wins over Gering and Scottsbluff. Alliance and Chadron are on tap this week, and they are both games we think Sidney will win.

21. Bridgeport (19-0, Last Week NR)

Bridgeport rolls into this week coming off back-to-back wins where they won by 40 or more. Torrington and Morrill are up next. Senior Olivia Loomis-Goltl leads Class C1 Bridgeport, averaging 23 per game. Ella Schluterbusch and Grace Dean are averaging about 12 and 10 per game, respectively.

22. Lincoln Christian (17-2, Last Week NR)

Class C1 Lincoln Christian enters our rankings this week after dominating a very good Class B Norris squad. A big one against Beatrice is on Tuesday, followed by a matchup Friday against Kearney Catholic. The Beatrice game is a toss-up, but LC should beat Kearney Catholic.

23. Omaha Westside (11-9, Last Week NR)

Westside has fallen down the rankings during the past month, and is on a four-game losing skid. It’s been a brutal stretch, though, with games against Millard North, Millard West, Millard North and Marian. It gets no easier Tuesday, when they face Lincoln Southeast.

24. Benson (9-6, Last Week #20)

Benson picked up a 65-61 win over Omaha North last Week after being blown out by Lincoln North Star the previous game. This week, Benson faces Papillion and Lincoln Northeast. It would be big to win just one of these, but we think it’s likely the Bunnies lose both.

25. South Sioux City (13-7, Last Week #24)

The Cardinals are coming off a 55-44 win over Roncalli Catholic. Up next Tuesday is 17-1 Bishop Heelan (Iowa), followed by a Friday game against 9-11 Gross Catholic. We think the Cardinals get a win against Gross, but fall to Heelan. Brooklyn Heineman leads SSC in scoring, netting about 17 per game.

Next 5: Columbus, Kearney, North Platte, Elkhorn, Bennington 

--Sam Pimper I @SBLiveNeb