After pouring through oodles of statistics, all-state, all-conference and all-area teams, last year's state tournament bracket and plenty of postseason rankings, we have uncovered information for all three schools that are not affiliated with a conference for 2025-26.
Since winning the Class A girls state basketball title in 2021, Lincoln Pius X has gone 0-2 at March Madness with quarterfinal losses to Fremont in 2022 and Gretna East a year ago. The Thunderbolts begin their latest quest for the school's sixth girls state basketball championship Thursday with a road trip to Blue Springs, Mo.
The Wildcats are 1-1 going into the contest with Pius X after going 5-13 a year ago. Seniors Ava Markowski and Kate Miller return to guide the Thunderbolts into battle with Blue Springs. Markowski averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a year ago to go with 60 assists, 59 steals and six blocked shots a year ago.
Also, an Honorable Mention Class B All-State honoree, Kate Miller added 5.4 points and 3.4 boards to Pius X's stat sheet a year ago. The 5-foot-9 small forward posted 34 assists, 47 steals and a blocked shot in a year in which the Thunderbolts went 22-5.
North Platte has high hopes of improving on its 7-17 record from a year ago. Senior Keyala Williams and junior Josie Douglas will both play huge roles in dong so. The duo combined for 17.0 points a year ago and pulled down 12.4 rebounds collectively.
Following a 19-6 campaign a year ago, Omaha Nation returns a quartet of players that were Named to the Class C1 Honorable Mention All-State team. Seniors Mikkel Parker, Desma Walker, Dailene Walker and Taylece McCauley all return for head coach Brad Vogt.
Enough of my rambling. Enjoy!
Girls Independents
Lincoln Pius X (22-5)
Omaha Nation (19-6)
North Platte (7-17)
Lincoln Pius X
2024-25 Record: 22-5
Record Over Past Decade: 192-58
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class B Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Ryan Psota
Top Returning Players:
Senior Ava Markowski | 5-foot-11 | Small Forward
8.6 Points | 4.1 Rebounds | 60 Assists | 59 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class B Omaha World Herald | HM Class B Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Kate Miller | 5-foot-9 | Small Forward
5.4 Points | 3.4 Rebounds | 34 Assists | 47 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Honorable Mention Class B Lincoln Journal Star
North Platte
2024-25 Record: 7-17
Record Over Past Decade: 99-133
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Tyson Hammond
Top Returning Players:
Senior Keyala Williams | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
9.0 Points | 7.6 Rebounds | 10 Assists | 12 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Josie Douglas | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
8.0 Points | 4.8 Rebounds | 49 Assists | 55 Steals | 16 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Omaha Nation
2024-25 Record: 19-6
Record Over Past Decade: 129-104
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Brad Vogt
Top Returning Players:
Senior Mikkel Parker | Guard
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Desma Walker | Forward
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Dailene Walker | Forward
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Taylece McCauley | Guard
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
