Bellevue West 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: Steve Klein Jr
- 1st Season as Head Coach at West
- Assistant Coaches: Zach Bush, Matt Lauritsen, Matt Henry, Michael Jenkins, Greg Hepburn, Brandon Ashelford
- Last Year’s Record: 29-0 (State Class A Champions)
Season Outlook: I am looking forward to seeing what this group of returners can do this season. They know what being a member of the Bellevue West basketball team is about and the expectations that go along with it. Looking forward to watching them “Esto V Sentio Melius” this season, and with their preparation and togetherness can have a chance to be playing in Lincoln in March.
When you come to a game this season, you are going to see a team that plays extremely fast on offense and hard on defense. More importantly to me is that they play for each other and be great teammates in the process. These young men do a great job of representing the Bellevue community!
With 9 seniors and 5 players who had significant roles on a team that went 29-0 last year, the T-Birds have thoughts of making another deep run into March. The very difficult schedule should definitely prepare the T-Birds for the end of the year!
Our first game is vs Lincoln NorthStar in the Thunderdome, on Thursday, November 30th. Tip-off is at 7:15 pm.
Team Leaders
Jaden Jackson G (SDSU commit) – Jaden has tremendous range and release of his shot. He has an offensive game that is diversifying and length and anticipation on defense that is very disruptive. Jaden is also a good rebounder for a guard.
Eldon Turner PG (Wayne St. commit) – His feel and vision are exceptional and bordering on elite level. He is a very improved shooter when staying disciplined with his body and feet. His ability to apply tremendous ball pressure is a key to our team, and he is one of the best rebounding guards I have ever had.
Steven Poulicek G (Dordt commit) – He is an elite-level shooter and scorer. In my opinion, he is the best shooter in the state. He has improved as a passer and facilitator of the ball and is also a solid rebounder and also has improved as defender.
Robby Garcia F – He has great range on his shot and with more consistency will be lethal in that area, especially for a big man. He also runs the floor well which is a great weapon as a runner or trailer. He is also much improved as a passer and is becoming a creative playmaker.
Jacob Arop F – Jacob can defend multiple positions as a big man. He is exceptionally skilled and a very good passer, and can be an elite-level rebounder on both sides of the court. One of his best assets is that Jacob makes his teammates better.
Most Improved
Isaiah McMorris G – He is an elite-level athlete who can guard anyone off the dribble and is a very physical finisher around the basket.
Jadyn Cascio Jensen G/F – He has the ability to really stretch the floor with his shooting and is also very explosive around the basket.
Girls Basketball
- Head Coach: Dane Bacon
- 6th Season as Head Coach at West
- Assistant Coaches: Jesse Cardenas, Taeha Pankey, Emily Salie
- Last Year’s Record: 22-6 (State Semifinalist)
Season Outlook: All of our players have been competing and working hard to prepare themselves for a successful season. We care about our school and our community and can’t wait for a great year with them at our side. Our first game is November 30th, 5:30pm vs Lincoln North Star.
Team Leaders
- Naomi White – Guard
- Ahnica Russell-Brown – Guard
- Kenzie Melcher – Guard
- Dani Coyer – Post
All four are high-character kids with high expectations that exemplify what we want our players to be on and off the court.
Boys Wrestling
- Head Coach: Tyler Hodges
- 2nd Season as Head Coach at West (19 total years coaching)
- Assistant Coaches: Charles Rosenthal, Nolan Barry, Anthony Salced
- Last Year’s Record: Finished 17th at State Meet
Season Outlook: Our focus is on the growth of the program and competing at a higher level. These guys are focused and committed to getting better. Our goal is always to be wrestling our best come February. We won’t sacrifice wins in December for improvement along the way for our young guys.
December 1st @ Iowa City “Dan Gable Invite”.
Team Leaders
- Tanner Hosick (Two Time State Medalist)
- Ryland Schweiss (State Medalist)
Most Improved
- Bryce Luehring
- Creighton Jongeling
Swimming & Diving
- Head Coach: Peggy Speer
- 31st Season as Head Coach at West
- Assistant Coaches: Amanda Horbach, Taylor Bernhardt; Dive Coach Tami Dolphens
Season Outlook: I am looking forward to continuing to train and develop swimmers who can achieve State qualifying times. These swimmers put in a lot of hours and yardage in the water. They continue to improve and excel not only athletically but also academically. Our first competition is on December 2nd at the Burke Invite at Burke High School. The competition begins at 8:30am and runs all day.
Team Leaders
On the Girls’ side, Cailyn Nielsen does an excellent job of uniting the girls’ team with activities and team spirit. On the Boys’ side, Caleb Decker and Ryan Bartlett. Both boys have a strong training regimen and lead by example and encouragement of others
Girls Wrestling
- Head Coach: Bryan Irsik
- 3rd Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coach: Pat Fetter (3rd Season), Nick Allman (1st Season)
- Last Year’s Record: 4-3 Dual Record, 2 State Qualifiers
*The girls’ wrestling program is a united team between both Bellevue East and West, with our practices taking place at BJSA during the season.
Season Outlook: The First Competition of the year will be In Kearney Nebraska on December 1 against the Kearney Girls Wrestling team and on December 2 we will again be in action in Kearney for the Kearney High Girls Invite. Our First Home Action will be against Millard North at Bellevue West on December 19th at 6:00 PM.
Team Leaders
Jay Knight, Senior – Jay shows a strong work ethic and attitude in practice and competition. Jay’s effort in the practice room not only helps with Jay’s success on the mat but also in the success and development of the practice partners who work with Jay in the practice room.
Jamela Khaitov, Senior – Jamela is going into her second season with the girl’s wrestling program after showing great strides in her first-ever season of wrestling. Jamela brings leadership experience from her years of cheerleading with Bellevue East High School.
Elaina Fletcher, Sophomore – Elaina is our most experienced wrestler on the team and has taken a leadership role in helping newer and younger athletes on the team as they develop throughout the season. Elaina uses her strong knowledge of wrestling to help guide her teammates during practice and competition. Elaina set the program win record for Freshmen with 26 wins and is a returning state qualifier for the program.
Kaliyah Evans, Freshman – Before even stepping on the mat Kaliyah has demonstrated strong commitment to the wrestling program this season as she has been to nearly every team workout for the off-season and pre-season.
Most Improved
Paris Plough, Senior – Dedicated herself this summer to improving her wrestling skills over the summer by traveling to Florida this summer to train. Paris returned from Florida with a stronger understanding of how to train in wrestling and wrestling technique and skills.
Makaela Davis, Sophomore – Has shown an improved understanding of technique combined with a newfound confidence that will make her a force to be dealt with on the mat this season.
We are in the third year of existence and the growth of our program is evident as we have grown from 17 in year 1 to 22 in year 2 and we are currently looking to welcome 36 lady wrestlers this season. Girls wrestling is growing throughout the state of Nebraska and to help encourage that growth we want to promote girls wrestling at BJSA season and let it be known that we also offer girls wrestling at the Middle School Levels. We want to encourage any young lady in Bellevue who has an interest in wrestling to try it and help continue our growth in girls’ wrestling.
Bowling
- Head Coach: Phil Burlingame
- 4th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Joe Centineo (4th year), Karla Diaz (1st year)
- Last Year’s Record: Boys (16-8), Girls (20-4)
Season Outlook: We are looking forward to continued improvement and success. On the boys’ team, we were very young last year on both the Varsity and JV levels so it will be a season-long competition among ourselves to see who can establish themselves as varsity competitors. On the girls’ team, we will see who can step up and “replace” the two valuable seniors we lost to graduation.
This group of student/atheletes are outstanding in the classroom and make that a priority. We would love to see more people come and watch these bowlers in action.
Our first Dual is December 1st (3:00) at Papio Bowl vs. Papio South.
Team Leaders
- Nate Centineo: most experienced bowler and a 3-time state medalist
- Carie Mascarello: experienced bowler and a state medalist
- Jake Breaux: vocal team leader
On the boys’ team, we were very young last year on both the Varsity and JV levels so it will be a season-long competition among ourselves to see who can establish themselves as varsity competitors. On the girls’ team, who can step up and “replace” the two valuable seniors we lost to graduation.
