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 made our East Husker Conference projections for 2025-26.
With the return of Second Team All-State honoree Nathan Tomcak, Andre Martin, Hunter Luther and Dane Meyer, Howells-Dodge appears to be the team to beat in the East Husker Conference.
But it won't be easy. Bancroft-Rosalie returns Kavian Blackhawk and Jaden Browning and will definitely be a factor.
Pender won 21 games a year ago and returns plenty of talent while Second Team All-East Husker Conference selectees Hunter Swanson and Peyton Penrose are back following an 18-8 West Point-Beemer campaign.
Enough of my rambling. Enjoy!
Boys East Husker Conference
Howells-Dodge (24-6)
Bancroft-Rosalie (22-6)
Pender (21-6)
West Point-Beemer (18-8)
Wakefield (13-10)
Humphrey-Lindsay Academy (13-12)
North Bend Central (13-12)
Oakland-Craig (17-7)
Tekamah-Herman (10-14)
Madison (7-16)
Lyons-Decatur Northeast (6-17)
Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (6-17)
Wisner-Pilger (6-17)
Clarkson-Leigh (4-19)
Stanton (4-19)
Howells-Dodge
2024-25 Record: 24-6
Record Over Past Decade: 169-95
2024-25 Postseason: 2-1 | Class D1 Runner-Up
Head Coach: Kevin Janata
Top Returning Players:
Senior Nathan Tomcak | 6-foot-2 | Guard
11.7 Points | 6.0 Rebounds | 132 Assists | 56 Steals | 12 Blocked Shots
Second Team Class D1 Omaha World Herald | Second Team Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
First Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Andre Martin | 6-foot-3 | Center
10.7 Points | 5.7 Rebounds | 23 assists | 31 Steals | 28 Block Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Hunter Luther | 6-foot-2 | Forward
9.0 Points | 5.9 Rebounds | 37 Assists | 32 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Senior Dane Meyer | 5-foot-10 | Guard
9.0 Points | 5.5 Rebounds | 157 Assists | 65 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-East Husker Conference
Bancroft-Rosalie
2024-25 Record: 22-6
Record Over Past Decade: 187-69
2024-25 Postseason: 1-2 | Class D1 Fourth
Head Coach: Cory Meyer
Top Returning Players:
Junior Kavian Blackhawk | 5-foot-8 | Guard
13.0 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 45 Assists | 30 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Junior Jaden Browning | 5-foot-11 | Guard
11.7 Points | 3.5 Rebounds | 78 Assists | 30 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Braylon Wegner | 5-foot-10 | Guard
5.6 Points | 5.8 Rebounds | 52 Assists | 43 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class D1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star
Pender
2024-25 Record: 21-6
Record Over Past Decade: 83-156
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Andy Welsh
Top Returning Players:
Senior Ryan Krueger | 6-foot-2
7.9 Points | 6.3 Rebounds | 32 Assists | 33 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
Senior Trevor Trimble| 6-foot
9.9 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 52 Assists | 39 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Junior Zander Welsh | 5-foot-10
8.2 Points | 3.7 Rebounds | 79 Assists | 47 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
West Point-Beemer
2024-25 Record: 18-8
Record Over Past Decade: 112-135
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Tyler Polacek
Top Returning Players:
Senior Hunter Swanson | 5-foot-11 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
10.7 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 137 Assists | 34 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Peyton Penrose | 6-foot-3
10.2 Points | 4.0 Rebounds | 29 Assists | 14 Steals | 21 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Ian Schiller | 6-foot-6 | Center
6.2 Points | 5.8 Rebounds | 12 Assists | 3 Steals | 21 Blocked Shots
Wakefield
2024-25 Record: 13-10
Record Over Past Decade: 147-93
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Austin Galles
Top Returning Players:
Senior Cael Johnson | Shooting Guard | Center
14.3 Points | 8.5 Rebounds | 31 Assists | 48 Steals | 13 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Jacob Borg | 5-foot-9 | Guard
12.0 Points | 5.9 Rebounds | 85 Assists | 37 Steals | 10 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Humphrey-Lindsay Academy
2024-25 Record: 13-12
Record Over Past Decade: 186-76
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Joe Hesse
Top Returning Players:
Senior Caden Brandl | 5-foot-8
8.6 Points | 2.1 Rebounds | 58 Assists | 43 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Junior Gavin Friesen | 6-foot-2
7.5 Points | 3.5 Rebounds | 56 Assists | 28 Steals | 11 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
North Bend Central
2024-25 Record: 13-12
Record Over Past Decade: 182-68
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Jonathan Baehr
Top Returning Players:
Senior Cash Hanis | 5-foot-9 | Shooting Guard
12.6 Points | 2.1 Rebounds | 68 Assists | 37 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Ethan Kluck | 6-foot-5 | Center
6.4 Points | 7.4 Rebounds | 15 Assists | 22 Steals | 55 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Koda Baehr | 5-foot-11 | Point Guard
7.2 Points | 2.5 Rebounds | 68 Assists | 35 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Sophomore Drew Sterup | 6-foot | Shooting Guard
6.5 Points | 4.0 Rebounds | 38 Assists | 26 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Oakland-Craig
2024-25 Record: 17-7
Record Over Past Decade: 138-101
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Aaron Meyer
Top Returning Players:
Senior Preston Rost | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard
2.4 Points | 1.2 Rebounds | 8 Assists | 12 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Tekamah-Herman
2024-25 Record: 10-14
Record Over Past Decade: 40-180
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Taylor Klein | Chris Fleischman
Top Returning Players:
Senior Sam Oligmueller | 6-foot | Guard
6.2 Points | 2.7 Rebounds | 41 Assists | 20 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Junior Camdan Chase | 6-foot-3 | Forward
5.7 Points | 3.6 Rebounds | 14 Assists | 13 Steals | 16 Blocked Shots
Madison
2024-25 Record: 7-16
Record Over Past Decade: 74-152
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Daniel Fuhs
Top Returning Players:
Senior Izac Zautke
13.9 Points | 5.2 Rebounds | 60 Assists | 85 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Senior Gabe Campos | 5-foot-10 | Point Guard
9.0 Points | 3.4 Rebounds | 29 Assists | 47 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Bodonn Sweeney | 6-foot
7.5 Points | 3.4 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 30 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Lyons-Decatur Northeast
2024-25 Record: 6-17
Record Over Past Decade: 169-105
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Weston Swanson
Top Returning Players:
Senior Kaden Knaak | 6-foot-3 | Power Forward | Small Forward
9.8 Points | 5.9 Rebounds | 35 Assists | 12 Steals | 18 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention Class D1 Lincoln Journal Star | HM All-East Husker Conference
Logan View/Scribner-Snyder
2024-25 Record: 6-17
Record Over Past Decade: 132-111
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Jake Scheef
Top Returning Players:
Senior Truman Young | 6-foot | Point Guard
1.8 Points | 3.5 Rebounds | 94 Assists | 24 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Junior Grayson Kraus | 6-foot
18.0 Points | 4.0 Rebounds | 12 Assists | 26 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
Wisner-Pilger
2024-25 Record: 6-17
Record Over Past Decade: 115-127
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Gunner Labenz
Top Returning Players:
Junior Jaxon Knoell | Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
Second Team All-East Husker Conference
Senior Regan Raabe | 6-foot-5 Center | Power Forward
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Clarkson/Leigh
2024-25 Record: 4-19
Record Over Past Decade: 78-150
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Jeff Bachman
Top Returning Players:
Senior Kyle McMullin | 6-foot-3 | Small Forward | Power Forward
10.9 Points | 8.2 Rebounds | 60 Assists | 17 Steals | 40 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-East Husker Conference
Senior Tucker Matthies | 6-foot-2 | Small Forward | Shooting Guard
9.4 Points | 5.8 Rebounds | 66 Assists | 26 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All East Husker Conference
Senior Wyatt Crosley | 5-foot-11 | Shooting Guard
7.0 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 16 Assists | 23 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Stanton
2024-25 Record: 4-19
Record Over Past Decade: 75-157
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Andrew Erbst
Top Returning Players:
Senior Josh Arens | 6-foot-3 | Power Forward | Small Forward
6.6 Points | 5.2 Rebounds | 24 Assists | 20 Steals | 10 Blocked Shots
Junior Logan Tiedtke | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard
7.2 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 22 Assists | 23 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
