PBR Nebraska Preseason Power 10

 

The Nebraska high school season kicks off on March 15th.Leading up to the opening week of games we have been rolling out our PRESEASON PREVIEWS of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 10.

How were the Preseason Power 10 rankings compiled? 

• Preseason Coaches Polls- 45%
• PBR Opinion- 45%
• Voting on Social Media Platform- 10%

Over the next four days we will be counting down the top 10 in the rankings. 

Other Preason Rankings from across the State:

PRESEASON POWER 10

#1- Creighton Prep Jr. Jays

Coach Mooney’s Senior class has a lot of experience and are in a position to make a run for their third consecutive state title. The Jr. Jay’s pitching staff has recently been the deepest in the state and on the same path this year with seniors Dylan Phillips (Kansas State), who is also a premier hitter, Zach Firmature (Hutchinson CC), Max Mandall, Drew Vosik and Zach Fritton. They have the state's best defensive catcher with Creighton recruit, Owen Richter.

#2- Millard West Wildcats 

The Wildcats are talented. They have the states #1 draft prospect in Colby Gomes (Nebraska) and one of the top 2020 prospects with shortstop Max Anderson.  This might be the strongest Senior class in the last couple of years with Easton Young (Barton CC), Tyler Bandiera (Barton CC), Brendan Tauber (Pratt CC), Brock Burling (Hutchinson CC), Peyton Wendell, Paul Hinton and Dawson Beutler leading the way for Millard West.

#3- Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks

Senior RHP, Brandon Doty (Iowa Western CC)  established himself as the ace for the SilverHawks last year when he posted a 13-1 record between the Spring and Legion season. Coach Vernon has two other power right handed arms with Hutchinson commit, Dawson Linder & Iowa Western commit, Shea Zetterman.  Grant Bohling (DMACC) & Griffin Everitt (KCK CC) will lead the way offensively as Griffin takes over the full time catching duties.

#4- Millard South Patriots

In 2017, Millard South made a run all the way to a third place finish at the Class A State Championship behind huge performances on the mound by 2017 PBR Nebraska Player of the Year, Kyle Perry. Perry will again lead the way on the mound for the Patriots while they should be able to score runs in a variety of ways with Nebraska commit, Drew Gilin, Southeast CC commit, Dylan Wagner and one of the top hitters in the junior class with Jake Gish.

 

#5- Papillion LaVista Monarchs

Papillion La Vistas’s Legion program made a strong run to the 2017 Legion State Championship and return 7 of the 9 starters from that team. They’ll still be young with 5-6 underclassmen in the starting line up but should have enough on the mound to keep them in games with Caleb Feekin (Nebraska), Nate Whitehill, Caiden Hill (Southeast CC) and Cole Wilson (Milwaukee School of Engineering). Junior, Connor Barnett along with Hill, have the ability to set the table offensively.

#6- Elkhorn South Storm

The Storm has heavy talent and will be moving up to class A for the 2018 season. Three D1 commits, Senior LHP, Jake Bunz (Wichita State) and the Junior pair of C/INF, James Valdivia (Arizona State) and LHP/OF, Sayer Diederich (Nebraska) will be leading the team. With Valdivia & Diederich, the addition of ‘18 OF, Carson Pilkington, and ‘19 INF, Drew Reetz, the Storm should have one of the deadlier lineups in the state. The biggest question will be if they can get a consistent go to guy on the mound. The pitching staff has shown flashes of being dominant at times but haven’t been consistent. 

#7- Norris Titans

The Titans were runners up in the 2017 Class B State Championships and should lead the way in 2018. The lineup will be lead by 2017 Gatorade Player of the Year, Austin Schultz (Kentucky commit). They have an ace on the pitching staff with Air Force commit, Zach Argo, and have one of the Top 2020 prospects with RHP, Tyler Ruhl. Coach Bartholomew will also lean heavily on experience Varsity starters, Sayre Burnley, Kade Kohout and Cade Argo. 

#8- Omaha Burke Bulldogs

Coach Hodges has an experienced senior class that is led by a trio of Southeast CC signees, RHP/1B Hunter Waugh, RHP/INF Zach Munson, and 3B Nicholas Hall.  Last summer that group made some noise down in Lincoln legion tournament site. The bulldogs also could see a breakout spring from junior RHP Jared Schultz.

#9- Lincoln Southeast Knights

Coach Jones is in his 3rd year as head coach of the Knights and has led them to back to back spring state tournaments. Senior shortstop and Iowa Western commit, Garrett Olson, is one of the best players in the state and will lead them offensively. On the mound they will lean heavily on junior LHP Logan Van Treeck who is in his third year at the varsity level. 

#10- Omaha Westside Warriors

Coach Grecos' crew made a run all the way to the championship game in 2017 where they lost 12-5 to Creighton Prep. They return an 8 game winner in 2017 with junior Sam Parsonage on the mound and have a salty senior class led by Brian Leiferman, Michael Reinhert and Logan Eickhoff. They have a strong 2020 prospect in Trevor Barajas who should get a shot to play full time this spring. The Warriors have one of the richest baseball traditions in the state and should be able to compete again at a high level in 2018. 

Other Preason Rankings from across the State:

Nebraska HS Baseball- Give them a follow at @NebraskaHSBase 

1. Creighton Prep
2. Millard West
3. Omaha Westside
4. Papillion-LaVista
5. Millard South
6. Omaha Burke
7. Lincoln Southwest
8. Lincoln Southeast
9. MIllard North
10. Grand Island 

Nebraska Prep Zone OWH - Ranked by Mike Patterson. Give them a follow on twitter at @NEPrepZone 

1. Creighton Prep
2. MIllard West
3. Millard South
4. Papillion LaVista
5. Elkhorn South
6. Omaha Westside
7. Lincoln Southwest
8. Millard North
9. Omaha Burke
10. Lincoln Southeast

 

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