2026 Class D2 Boys State Basketball Preview

The Nebraska boys take their turn at center court when it comes to putting on the show that decides which basketball programs take home the championship hardware. While many of the same programs are back in the hunt, there are no guarantees when it comes to March Madness.

Elgin Public/Pope John and Pleasanton open Class D2 action at 9 am Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Before thinking about avenging their three losses to defending champ St. Mary's, the Wolfpack will have its hands full with Pleasanton's Brennan Lindner who leads all D2 state tourney scorers with 22 points a night. Jarek Erickson leads the Wolfpack with 16.8 an outing.

Shortly after the opening contest goes to the buzzer, Deshler and Guardian Angels Central Catholic tip off in the usually hard to pick No. 4 vs No. 5 quarterfinal. Easton Nash and Kaden Kleen, who average more than 31 points between them, lead the Dragons into battle against GACC. The Bluejays are led by Luke Guenther who pours in 16.3 points a night.

Archangels Catholic and Falls City Sacred Heart renew their postseason rivalry in Wednesday's 6 pm quarterfinal tilt when D2's show moves to Devaney. The Defenders are led by Brenden Johannes' 13.3 points a contest. Sacred Heart counters with the scoring punch of Cole Taft and Bo Fletcher who rip the cords for 29 points a game collectively.

St. Mary's kicks off its Class D2 state title defense when the Cardinals hit the court against Wynot Wednesday at 7:45 pm at Devaney. Led by Ben Barlow, Gage Hedstrom and Logan Brabec, who combine for 46.5 points a contest, St. Mary's hopes to go back-to-back.

The defending D2 runner-up Blue Devils will rely on Devin Brummer's 16.2 points a night in an attempt to upend the champs and move onto the semifinals and eventually the championship game again themselves.