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 Centennial Conference projections for 2025-26.
Winners of 39 straight basketball games, Scott Klein's two-time defending state champion Lincoln Christian Crusaders may just keep going like the energizer bunny after reeling off 28 straight wins a year ago. Maci and Lexi Pittenger return for Crusader Nation as does Jessa Hueser and Sam Dearking.
Scotus Central Catholic went 21-5 a year ago with two losses coming at the hands of the Crusaders. Led by senior center Lola Doerneman and junior Emilyn Kavan, the Shamrocks should be a challenge for the champs.
Perennial powers Hastings St. Cecilia and Bishop Neumann will rely on Avery Kissinger and Graycen Cernik respectively as they make their conference championship runs.
Enough of my rambling. Enjoy!
Girls Centennial Conference
Lincoln Christian (28-0)
Scotus Central Catholic (21-5)
Hastings St. Cecilia (14-9)
Bishop Neumann (16-9)
Kearney Catholic (12-12)
Omaha Concordia (10-14)
Aquinas Catholic (11-12)
Grand Island Central Catholic (11-12)
Archbishop Bergan (9-14)
Lincoln Lutheran (2-21)
Lincoln Christian
2024-25 Record: 28-0
Record Over Past Decade: 211-56
2024-25 Postseason: 3-0 | Class C1 State Champion
Head Coach: Scott Klein
Top Returning Players:
Senior Maci Pittenger | 5-foot-7 | Guard
10.7 points | 2.6 Rebounds | 84 Assists | 58 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Jessa Hueser | 5-foot-9 | Guard
7.7 Points | 3.9 Rebounds | 106 Assists | 61 Steals | 26 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Sam Dearking | 5-foot-9 | Guard
5.9 points | 3.5 Rebounds | 67 Assists | 51 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Sophomore Lexi Pittenger | 5-foot-4 | Guard
5.4 Points | 1.3 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 39 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Scotus Central Catholic
2024-25 Record: 21-5
Record Over Past Decade: 157-81
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class C1 Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Scott Klein
Top Returning Players:
Senior Lola Doerneman | 5-foot-11 | Center
10.3 Points | 6.3 Rebounds | 21 Assists | 29 Steals | 16 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Emilyn Kavan | 5-foot-6 | Forward
5.1 Points | 6.4 Rebounds | 48 Assists | 48 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
Hastings St. Cecilia
2024-25 Record: 14-9
Record Over Past Decade: 211-47
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Greg Berndt
Top Returning Players:
Senior Avery Kissinger | 5-foot-5 | Shooting Guard
Third Team All-Heartland Super Squad
Senior Emery Vargas | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard
Honorable Mention All-Heartland Super Squad
Senior Nathie Krikac | 5-foot-9
Honorable Mention All-Heartland Super Squad
Bishop Neumann
2024-25 Record: 16-9
Record Over Past Decade: 161-88
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Rick Ahrens
Top Returning Players:
Junior Graycen Cernik | 5-foot-9 | Shooting Guard
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Omaha Area
Kearney Catholic
2024-25 Record: 12-12
Record Over Past Decade: 154-94
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Rick Petri
Top Returning Players:
Junior Danielle Seim | 6-foot | Small Forward
10.2 Points | 6.0 Rebounds | 20 Assists | 30 Steals | 29 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Tessa Colling | 5-foot-4 | Point Guard
5.3 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 46 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
Omaha Concordia
2024-25 Record: 12-12
Record Over Past Decade: 154-94
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Rebecca Hughes
Top Returning Players:
Senior Charis Hughes | 5-foot-9 | Small Forward | Shooting Guard
8.8 Points | 8.8 Rebounds | 40 Assists | 37 Steals | 28 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Omaha Area
Junior Grace Samuelson | 5-foot-11 | Power Forward | Center
6.8 Points | 7.5 Rebounds | 22 Assists | 30 Steals | 8 Blocked Shots
HM Class C1 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C1 Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Omaha Area
Sophomore Eliza Secrest | 5-foot-6 | Center
6.0 Points | 2.0 Rebounds | 15 Assists | 36 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Aquinas Catholic
2024-25 Record: 11-12
Record Over Past Decade: 82-140
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Jason Campbell
Top Returning Players:
Junior Riley Campbell | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard
11.8 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 55 Assists | 73 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Sophomore Faith Samek | 5-foot-9 | Guard | Forward
11.2 Points | 5.3 Rebounds | 24 Assists | 51 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Madison Vandenberg | Small Forward | Shooting Guard
8.1 Points | 3.8 Rebounds | 24 Assists | 37 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Grand Island Central Catholic
2024-25 Record: 11-12
Record Over Past Decade: 168-75
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Kevin Mayfield
Top Returning Players:
Senior Jacie Palik | Shooting Guard | Power Forward
2.6 Points | 2.0 Rebounds | 8 Assists | 17 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
Senior Reegan Reilly | 5-foot-5 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
1.4 Points | 1.3 Rebounds | 9 Assists | 7 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Junior Izzy Mueller | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard
1.7 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 10 Assists | 21 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Archbishop Bergan
2024-25 Record: 9-14
Record Over Past Decade: 150-93
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Nathan Pribnow
Top Returning Players:
Junior Tessa Powers | 5-foot-6
7.0 Points | 4.3 Rebounds | 32 Assists | 36 Steals | 15 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran
2024-25 Record: 2-21
Record Over Past Decade: 120-114
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Andrew Broders
Top Returning Players:
Sophomore Atley Janecek
8.2 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 25 Assists | 30 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Kenzie Sidlo | 5-foot-10
4.8 Points | 3.6 Rebounds | 42 Assists | 34 Steals | 13 Blocked Shots
HM Class C2 Omaha World Herald | HM Class C2 Lincoln Journal Star
