Let's discuss a topic that could change the landscape of Class A basketball.
There is a proposal, backed by a 12-5 vote of Metro Conference schools earlier this month, to change the way the conference schedules regular-season basketball games. In effect, the proposal would cut the number of games each team plays outside the conference from four games to two games.
That would be a big drop and would hurt Class A teams outside and inside the Metro. It just wouldn't be good for Nebraska high school basketball, in general, or the players.
The change would take effect after the current scheduling cycle ends following the 2019-20 season. This does allow time for a potential re-vote on the proposal.
I do understand the marginal benefits from a financial standpoint. Busing to Lincoln, Kearney or Grand Island, for instance, may strain budgets. But, in my opinion, that is not a strong argument.
The costs are minimal and should be trivial when educators weigh the benefits of athletes visiting other parts of the state, that perhaps, they would never have a chance to otherwise. I personally know athletes in Omaha who would never visit cities like Kearney or Norfolk if it wasn’t for a basketball trip. I’m betting there aren’t a lot of kids in Kearney or Norfolk who would get to visit Omaha North, for instance, if not for basketball.
Those experiences are important for high school students. The cultural exchange is of high value. In my coverage of AAU basketball, I see the benefits all the time of Omaha kids becoming good friends with kids from other parts of the state. In truth, it’s one of the best things I see in my summers of traveling the country to cover the Nebraska teams on the various AAU circuits.
Another reason that I’m hearing in support of the proposal is that ticket sales are higher when Metro teams play each other. Bigger crowds make the Metro schools more money. I’m not here to say that isn’t true.
A meeting of traditional powers like Omaha Central and Creighton Prep will draw a larger crowd than if Grand Island faced either of those teams, for instance. But realize the downside too.
What if No. 1-ranked Lincoln East was set to play at No. 2 Omaha Central on Saturday? That game would have great interest. Well, it’s not happening, and the chances of it happening under the new proposal would be even smaller. That is a legitimate concern.
As one athletic director outside the Metro told me: “As NSAA-member schools, it’s important for us to give equal opportunities and to continue to have the opportunity to compete against each other.”
The two reasons I’m hearing in support of this proposal seem to pale against the benefits of the cultural exchange and interest in good intersectional matchups. Hey, we are all in this great state together. Let’s not start building barriers for what I suspect would be marginal monetary savings.
But let’s not stop the argument there. Consider these points:
>> I think it’s safe to say that an elitist attitude exists in the Metro Conference, perhaps rightfully so. But that attitude needs to be earned every year by playing competition outside the conference.
It’s obvious to those who regularly see games throughout the state that the Metro Conference is mostly in a league of its own. But there's also a high level of play elsewhere.
The Heartland Athletic Conference, for example, is comprised of the Lincoln Public Schools, Fremont and Grand Island. Norfolk, Lincoln Pius X and Kearney are joining the HAC in the 2018-19 school year.
Those teams like to beat the best in the Metro, and fans around the state relish seeing those games. It’s what Nebraska high school sports are all about. There should be more of it, not less.
>> The Nebraska School Activities Association has a point system that rewards one wild-card berth to the state tournament each year. If North Platte or Kearney cannot schedule teams from the Metro, then who are they going to schedule? They may have to fill with Class B or even C-1 teams that are closer to them geographically. In that scenario, those teams are at a severe disadvantage in district seedings and wild-card points.
It’s not far-fetched. Last season, Lincoln Pius X played mainly a class B schedule — because it moved to Class A in the middle of the scheduling cycle — and it was still awarded a wild-card berth in the Class A boys state basketball tournament. Metro schools weren't happy about it, and it won’t sit well in the future, yet the Metro is considering ushering in such a situation every year?
Like this proposal, it’s just bad sense.
Photos: Class of 2018 NebHSRecruiting basketball rankings
The top 10 boys basketball recruits in Nebraska for the 2018 class, according to Mike Sautter's NebHSRecruiting rankings.
10. Cedric Johnson, SG, Bellevue West
Evaluation: Johnson is a versatile lefty who finishes well and is at his best when attacking the basket. He has long arms and rebounds very well for a guard. He's also a willing passer with solid vision. Johnson has great body control and balance, using good footwork and a change of pace and direction to get to the rim.
9. Tre'vion Crawford, SG, Omaha Bryan
Evaluation: Crawford is a strong guard who can get to the rim and finish with good touch, including floaters. He shows the ability to shoot from beyond the arc in catch-and-shoot situations. Crawford is also a willing defender capable of getting up and pressuring opposing guards.
8. Henry Penner, G/F, Aurora
Evaluation: Penner served as Aurora’s glue guy as a sophomore — doing a bit of everything for the Huskies — and emerged as a go-to scoring option as a junior. At 6-foot-5, he is a strong shooter who moves the ball well, contributes on the glass and makes hustle plays defensively. He is also a good athlete for his size who is terrific on the offensive glass and is a target on lobs.
7. Nick Ferrarini, SG, Millard North
Evaluation: Ferrarini has great height for an off-guard and is a tremendous shooter with deep range. He shot nearly 40 percent from deep as a sophomore and junior. Ferrarini has also improved significantly off the bounce and is getting to the rim and the free-throw line at a consistent rate. He has also added a mid-range pull-up to his arsenal.
6. Tyrell Carroll, PG, Millard South
Evaluation: Carroll is a tough point guard who can get to the rim off the bounce and seeks out contact in the paint. Carroll has an unorthodox shooting motion but shot nearly 40 percent from deep as a sophomore. Carroll has good vision and can make plays for others. He is a pesky defender on the ball with quick feet and hands.
5. Roman Behrens, PG, Omaha Central
Evaluation: Behrens is a complete offensive point guard. He is a terrific shooter from the perimeter with handles to get into the paint and draw fouls. He sees the floor well and isn’t afraid of making the highlight-reel pass. His biggest strength might be his mid-range game — as his pull-up jumper is nearly automatic — and he also has an array of floaters and scoop shots in his arsenal.
4. Kanon Koster, G/F, Kearney
Evaluation: Koster is a strong guard with a good frame that can play on the perimeter or hold his own inside. He has a strong feel for the game, is a good jump-shooter, crashes the glass hard and will elevate and throw it down when given the chance. He can drive left or right and finishes at a very high rate inside the arc.
3. Sam Griesel, SG, Lincoln East
Evaluation: Griesel is a versatile, athletic swingman who loves to attack the basket but can knock down shots from the perimeter as well. He moves the ball well and plays with good efficiency. Griesel has a lot of potential on the defensive end with ability to hold his own against bigs and stay in front of guards on the perimeter.
2. Shereef Mitchell, PG, Omaha Burke
Evaluation: Mitchell is a tough guard with a scoring mentality. He’s capable of running the point or playing off the ball. He can shoot from the perimeter and get into the paint and finish around the basket with his athleticism. He has incredibly quick feet and is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state.
1. Brady Heiman, C, Platteview
Evaluation: Heiman combines tremendous height with uncanny shot-blocking instincts, making him a force in the paint on the defensive end. He’s a strong rebounder as well who is developing a post game, but needs to add strength. He has taken major strides offensively and has become a playmaker out of the high post.
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