High School Tourney Time
Now you may be asking yourself “who cares about softball?” Well I do, so you’re going to read this and you’re gonna like it.
If there is one sport that I have kept an eye the most after my high school days, it’s been softball. Partially because when I went to school my sister was a participant so I followed it very closely. That really hasn’t changed in the years following her graduation from school. I really enjoy softball, I think it’s a little bit more strategic sport than baseball is and that’s what I think draws me to it.
First let’s look at the Class A field:
#1 Millard South vs. #8 Lincoln Southeast
Southeast is a perennial power in softball but they were in a very weak district this year and got in almost on default. Millard South is #1 for a reason, best winning percentage in Class A but a relative new comer in state tournament action.
#4 Omaha Marian vs. #5 Lincoln Northeast
Marian has always been a softball power but just hasn’t proven themselves on the big stage (well...no one has but one team as you’ll find out in a moment) Marian won their district like they were supposed to and should win one or two at state. Northeast is making it’s second straight tourney and is no doubt the second best team in the capital city. This should be a good matchup here with the winner having a chance to upset the top seed.
#3 Omaha Burke vs. #6 Papillion La-Vista
The last time the Burke Bulldogs were in the tourney they faced this same team for the state title in 2002. Burke had to win twice to take the title and did win the first but came up short in the final game. Papillion La-Vista can be compared to the Yankees of Nebraska High School softball. They have won 10 state titles in a row. Head coach MikeGovig (back after a year in Western Kentucky) is one
of the top coaches in the state. This maybe the year how ever that Papio loses their grip on the title trophy. But, it must be said that in the two previous years, every one thought someone would take overPapillion’s reign and the Monarchs still got it done. If the rest of the field wants Papillion to lose their lock on the title, Burke has to win this game to put the Monarchs in the losers bracket.
#2 Norfolk vs. #7 Papillion La-Vista South
Western Nebraska teams are always a mystery because the talent level out west isn’t as good as eastern Nebraska so they come in with the most wins in the state (31) but are largely unproven. Many western Nebraska teams do not fare well in state. Papillion La-Vista South is a reason why the Monarchs might lose their chance at 11 titles in a row. Not because South is better, but because of the talent split that hasoccurred in Papillion because of Papio South being formed.
If I were going to pick a winner of the Class A field it would be Burke but until Papillion La-Vista isn’t hoisting the trophy on the final day, they will be the odds on favorite.
Let’s look at the class B field:
#1 Beatrice vs. #8 Lexington
Beatrice isn’t as good as their championship teams of ‘00, ‘01, and ‘03 but are still a very formidable team. They have been in the title game in Class B the past 5 years so they are no one to be messed with. They should have no problem with Lexington who qualified in a very weak district and probably won’t win a game at the tournament.
#4 Ralston vs. #5 Blair
Ralston weigns for the good old days when they ruled the roost in class B softball. The champs from 97-99 have only been to the title game once since. Blair is on a hot streak right now. Beating what many people said was the best team in the state at the time Elkhorn, once in conference and twice in districts. This matchup will be a good one and the winner won’t have to worry about fighting their way through the losers bracket.
#3 McCook vs. #6 Seward
Again, McCook, a western Nebraska team, is unproven and won’t do much in the tourney. McCook has qualified the past 6 years for the tournament but doing little more than winning a losers bracket game and finishing the tourney 1-2. Seward is also unproven and with a down Lincoln Pius X team they had an easy time to qualify for the tournament.
#2 Elkhorn vs. #7 Chadron
Elkhorn, fresh off 3 upsets by Blair, comes in focused and ready to defend their title. For most of the season and up until Blair upset them in districts, Elkhorn was considered the best team in the state in any class. Elkhorn should have an easy time with not only Chadron but this side of the bracket. This should give Elkhorn a easy walk to the title game.
If I were to pick a winner, I’d have to go with Elkhorn. Simply because the other side of the bracket is loaded and will beat each other up and will expend most of their energy just making it through to the title game, and Elkhorn for most of the year was the best team in the state. Class B as a whole I think is deeper than Class A which should make for an exciting tournament.
Class C is a young class only being played for a 5th year. Wayne is the two time defending champ but will have a tough time repeating after losing their top pitcher as a senior last year. Filmore Central is the only undefeated team in the state but the #3seed in the tourney. Ashland Greenwood and Columbus Lakeview are #1 and #2 respectively and you should see those two in the title game with Greenwood taking it all.
The Comments
D.M.B. October 15, 2005 at 2:37am
Well the State Softball tourney is over with and I went 1 for 3 in my state champs picks.
Millard South was the winner in Class A, they ended the reign of the Papillion La-Vista Monarchs. The Monarchs had won 10 straight titles and was the longest girls title streak ever in Nebraska. Only topping it in all sports is the current 11 titles the Kearney boys track team has. This is the 12th year of girls softball in Nebraska and the first title in Class was won by Millard North, the next 10 by Papio and now Millard South has won thier 1st. Millard South dominated the whole tournament and deserves the title.
Elkhorn (my only correct pick) won the class B title. In a rematch of last years title game, Elkhorn got a 1st inning bases loaded walk and made it hold all game. Sophomore Antler pitcher Ashley Hagemann didn’t allow a run in any of their 4 tournament games. Now I have to say I was a little biased in my pick because I am a graduate of Elkhorn. But they came through for me and got me my only correct pick.
Filmore Central Exeter/Milligan got the title in Class C. Filmore Central entered the tourney as the #3 seed but undefeated at 29-0. They sailed through 2 games with ease but had their first set back of the year in the winners bracket title game against Logan View. Filmore Central battled back to the title game and took two from Logan View to take the title. Give Fillmore Central credit for coming back after experiencing a defeat in a big time of the season. From what I can tell, this is the first title of any kind for the girls at the school Filmore Central and only the second for the consolidation that is Exeter/Milligan.
Next up is state volleyball. They start Nov. 11th and the next day is the semifinals in all football classes. Expect a preview of both in the days prior.