Bellevue East 2025 Winter Varsity Sports Preview for boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ wrestling, bowling, and swimming/diving as provided by the coaches.
Boys Basketball
- Head Coach: Trevor Lenear
- 3rd Season as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Joe Chavis, Lee Reimer, Ryan Lowry, Shaq Esparrza, Dylan Holston, Carter Bruneau
- Last Year’s Record: 8-15
Season Outlook: We have a really young squad this year, as we only have three seniors, and no juniors. I am looking forward to seeing the growth of our young players throughout the season, as well as seeing how seniors turn into leaders. I think that our team is very close, and the chemistry is already high before the season starts. I am hoping that will carry us to some success.
Transfers, Elijah Scott (So.) & Michael Lowery (So.) will have an impact for our team. They have arrived and really bought into the culture that we are trying to create. A couple guys who played JV last year, Deng Tut (So.) & Amir Gulley (Sr.) will have an impact on our team this season.
We want to represent the Bellevue community by being a team that plays hard from tipoff to the final whistle every night. We like to play an unselfish brand of basketball that I think everyone can enjoy.
Team Leaders: We return four players who started games last year. Kevin Matthews (Sr.), Tayjon Morton-Swift (Sr.), Carson Taylor (So.), Aidan Amegandji (So.). All four will have an increased role within the team this year. Carson and Aidan have already emerged as leaders amongst the team despite only being sophomores.
Most Improved: It’s tough to just list a couple guys. Our sophomore class has really improved since last season. They have really been inspired by a couple of guys who graduated last year and have been very dedicated to improving their game this summer/fall.
The team tips off their season tomorrow, December 4th at 7:15pm, home vs Omaha Westside.
Girls Basketball
- Head Coach: Eric Lenear
- 2nd Season as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Morgan Lampe, Brandon Glynn, Peyton Hagen, & Nadarria Inge
- Last Year’s Record: 21-5
Season Outlook: I am looking forward to seeing the growth and improvement from the players throughout the year. They are all hard workers who come to practice ready to give it their all every single day.
We are going to be a young team full of great kids who have continued to show consistent efforts and positive attitudes. I hope they can make the community proud! I am beyond excited to watch this team grow and learn together through this year!
Team Leaders: Zoey Howard, JJ Reimer, and Peyton Luderman are the only three varsity returners from last year. We are looking for all 3 of them to take a jump in minutes, stats, and leadership. They all possess a great deal of leadership tendencies such as positivity, encouragement, and consistent effort.
Most Improved: I think Zoey Howard had a really good summer. She has improved her ball handling as well as her finishes at the rim. I think that she can have a huge year for us.
The team begins the season tomorrow, December 4th at 5:30pm with a home game Vs. Omaha Westside.
Boys Wrestling
- Head Coach: Jake Nieman
- 2nd Season as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Pat Rush, Ron Piele, Austin Gann
- Volunteer Coaches: Nolan Koehler, Shadrach Zarwie, Dillyn Miller, Kelby Bachman
- Last Year’s Record: Dual Record 4-11
Season Outlook: I am looking forward to seeing the growth the athletes continue to make as men and competitors. We return a lot of athletes with varsity experience, while also filling in a few holes with developing young talent. They are a hungry crew, ready to take a step in the right direction.
This is a hardworking, excited group that’s committed to representing Bellevue East with pride. We’re building something special here—one practice, one match, and one moment at a time. You are either on the train or you are on the tracks.
I want to thank our families, staff, and community for their continued support. It means the world to our athletes and helps keep our program growing in the right direction.
Team Leaders: Devon Smith: Do-it-all guy who is disciplined, consistent, and pushes his teammates to match his effort. He’s someone the team looks to when things get tough; Ian Stec: Vocal leader who brings great energy and holds others accountable. His competitiveness sets the tone for the team; Tyler Shannon-Bruckner: Young guy that leads by example every single day. He’s one of the hardest workers in the room and always finds ways to make his teammates better.
Most Improved: Alex Berger: Has made big strides technically and mentally. He’s wrestling with more purpose and intensity every day; Ian Ginter: His technique and mat awareness have taken a huge leap since last season. He’s committed to the grind and it’s showing.
The team begins the season on Friday, December 5th at North Platte High School. JV at 5pm and Varsiy at 6pm.
Girls Wrestling
- Head Coach: Bryan Irsik
- 5th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Pat Fetter (5th Season), Nick Allman (3rd Season), Josh Slosson (1st Season)
- Last Year’s Record: 4-1 Dual Record; 3rd Place as Team at Districts; 19th at State (7 Qualifiers and 2 Medalists)
NOTE: The girls’ wrestling program is a united team between both Bellevue East and West, with practices taking place at BJSA during the season.
As a coaching staff, we are excited to see the growth of our program in numbers and success as we strive to improve each year as a group (athletes and coaches). We have a great number of returners this season, and we are excited to see what the season brings for them this year.
Our wrestling program is mainly built on kids who have started wrestling in middle school or high school. Our coaching staff encourages younger female athletes to step on the mat at a younger age and give the sport a try. These athletes can currently sign up for wrestling at BJSA this year by going to BJSA and signing up.
The Girls’ wrestling program is entering this season, Pre-season ranked #6 in the state, with 4 girls in the pre-season rankings. We also want to encourage members of the community to come out and support the girls in our home events this year. To find that or any other information, please check out the team’s social media.
Team Leaders: Farrin Thiemann (12) – Has a strong work ethic and has strong communication abilities to help guide teammates throughout the season; Makaela Davis (12) – Already has strong leadership skills used with her participation in band, and has done a great job of using these already developed skills in our room this off-season; Kaliyah Evans (11) – Has a strong work ethic and leads by example. helps others in need and is willing to help pull teammates aside and offer assistance; Aubrey Gross (10) – Great at helping younger teammates and those who need extra support. Has a strong understanding of the technique to the point of being help to help teach it when assistance is needed.
Most Improved: Malia Dudoit (12) – Malia has put in the work this offseason to help learn and understand the sport of wrestling. This has helped her to recognize areas she needs to improve and also helped her to build a strong confidence in her abilities on the mat; Jameiah Johnson (10) – Stepped out of her comfort zone and competed in a few offseason tournaments this year, where she was able to get some national experience against others in the country. This helped her to build confidence in her abilities.
The Girl Wrestlers start the season on Friday, December 5th, in a dual Vs #3 Kearney High School at 6pm at Kearney. The following day, they will participate in the Kearney Girls Invitational.
Bowling
- Girls & Boys Head Coach: Bob Cote
- 1st Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Stephanie Williamson, Donald Coleman
- Last Year’s Record(s): Placed 2nd in State
Season Outlook: We have a bunch of great players looking to make Bellevue East proud. I am looking forward to our teamwork and sportsmanship.
Team Leaders: Shania Curtwright and Justin Paine, both returning players from last year and have shown great leadership abilities. Shania has stepped up to help in the Unified season as an assistant coach.
Most Improved: Sylvia Williamson and Santiago Sands are becoming more consistent in their games; both are returning this year. We’re expecting great growth with them and all of our players this season.
Both teams start the season tomorrow, December 4th, at 3pm at Papio Bowl.
Swimming & Diving
