After pouring through oodles of statistics, all-state, all-conference and all-area teams, last year's state tournament bracket and plenty of postseason rankings, we have uncovered our Metro Conference projections for 2025-26.
After falling to Lincoln Southwest 57-55 in the Class A-3 District Tournament last March, Omaha Westside earned the Class A wildcard to move onto the Nebraska Boys State Basketball Tournament.
As the No. 2 seed, the Warriors took care of Lincoln Southwest 87-49 and Lincoln Southeast 56-52 before dropping a disappointing 61-58 decision to Papillion-LaVista South in the Class A final. Jim Simons' Warriors concluded the 2024-25 season with a 24-5 record and the state runner-up hardware in the Cornhusker State's largest class.
As the 2025-26 season tips off this weekend, the Warriors look like a team that could take that next step come March. Omaha Westside's deep postseason run a year ago, prepared the Warriors for a huge season ahead.
Senior Emre Gedik returns for Simons after averaging 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds a year ago to earn Second Team Class A All-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star. The 6-foot-7 guard/small forward also posted 26 assists, 44 steals and 26 blocked shots as he landed on the Metro Conference's Second Team.
Sophomore Lee Robinson ripped the cords for 11.9 points and 4.6 boards a contest to find his name listed on the All-Metro Conference Second Team as well. Simon's 6-foot-1 point guard added 124 assists, 58 steals and 19 blocked shots to his stat line.
Junior London Dada poured in 8.2 points and a couple of rebounds a contest and dished out 25 assists, swiped 18 steals and blocked nine shots while senior Donnie Barfield produced a stat line that read: 8.4 points and 3.3 boards a game to go with 18 assists, 20 steals and nine blocked shots.
Bellevue West's postseason run concluded with a 62-44 loss to state tournament rival Millard North in the Class A quarterfinals. Like Westside, however, Bellevue West brings back a loaded roster.
Junior Bryce Johnson, Jr. averaged 13.8 points and 4.9 rebounds a contest a year ago and dished out 157 assists to find a spot on plenty of postseason teams. Junior guard Brayden Mauro, meanwhile, ripped the cords for 10.6 points and reeled in 2.4 rebounds a contest.
Senior Carsen Schultz poured in 7.5 points and pulled down 2.5 boards while junior Jacob Coyer scored 7.7 points and corralled 4.1 rebounds a night. Sophomore Keaton Melcher, added 7.4 points and 1.5 boards for Klein and the Thunderbirds.
Enough of my rambling. Enjoy!
Boys Metro Conference
Omaha Westside (24-5)
Bellevue West (18-8)
Omaha Creighton Prep (16-7)
Millard North (19-7)
Papillion-LaVista South (26-3)
Millard South (17-9)
Papillion-LaVista (15-11)
Omaha Central (10-14)
Omaha Westview (22-3)
Omaha North (10-14)
Omaha Buena Vista (15-11)
Omaha Burke (10-16)
Omaha Benson (9-16)
Omaha Northwest (5-18)
Millard West (7-16)
Bellevue East (8-15)
Elkhorn South (6-17)
Omaha South (5-19)
Omaha Bryan (0-24)
Omaha Westside
2024-25 Record: 24-5
Record Over Past Decade: 171-81
2024-25 Postseason: 2-1 | Class A Runner-Up
Head Coach: Jim Simons
Top Returning Players:
Senior Emre Gedik | 6-foot-7 | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
14.3 Points | 4.5 Rebounds | 26 Assists | 44 Steals | 26 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Second Team Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Lee Robinson | 6-foot-1 | Point Guard
11.9 Points | 4.6 Rebounds | 124 Assists | 58 Steals | 19 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Second Team All-Metro Conference
Junior London Dada | Shooting Guard
8.2 Points | 2.0 Rebounds | 25 Assists | 18 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Donnie Barfield | Small Forward
8.4 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 18 Assists | 20 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Bellevue West
2024-25 Record: 18-8
Record Over Past Decade: 221-46
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Steve Klein
Top Returning Players:
Junior Bryce Johnson Jr. | 6-foot-1
13.8 Points | 4.9 Rebounds | 157 Assists | 55 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journals Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Brayden Mauro | 5-foot-11 | Guard
10.6 Points | 2.4 Rebounds | 71 Assists | 30 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Carsen Schultz | 6-foot | Guard | Point Guard
7.5 Points | 2.5 Rebounds | 66 Assists | 23 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journals Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Jacob Coyer | 6-foot-4 | Forward
7.7 Points | 4.1 Rebounds | 28 Assists | 14 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Keaton Melcher | 6-foot | Guard
7.4 Points | 1.5 Rebounds | 18 Assists | 10 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha Creighton Prep
2024-25 Record: 16-7
Record Over Past Decade: 205-55
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Josh Luedtke
Top Returning Players:
Senior Torran Carter-Brown | 5-foot-11 | Guard
10.3 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 71 Assists | 20 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
Junior Max Jungers | 6-foot-7 | Forward
9.0 Points | 4.5 Rebounds | 51 Assists | 35 Steals | 23 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Cooper Knight | 6-foot-2 | Guard
9.5 Points | 2.0 Rebounds | 43 Assists | 26 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Junior Sam Bohnet | 6-foot-3 | Guard
5.3 Points | 3.5 Rebounds | 19 Assists | 19 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Senior Conner Peters | 6-foot-2 | Guard
7.7 Points | 1.7 Rebounds | 14 Assists | 14 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Senior Kyle Tubrick | 6-foot-3 | Guard
5.2 Points | 2.8 Rebounds | 20 Assists | 15 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Millard North
2024-25 Record: 19-7
Record Over Past Decade: 190-67
2024-25 Postseason: 1-1 | Lost in Class A Semifinals
Head Coach: Mike Etzelmiller
Top Returning Players:
Senior Coriahnn Gallatin | 5-foot-11 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
11.8 Points | 1.1 Rebounds | 91 Assists | 17 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Major Mosser | 6-foot-6 | Forward | Guard
10.5 Points | 4.8 Rebounds | 71 Assists | 17 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Papillion-LaVista South
2024-25 Record: 26-3
Record Over Past Decade: 146-100
2024-25 Postseason: 3-0 | Class A State Champion
Head Coach: Joel Hueser
Top Returning Players:
Junior Levi Webb | 6-foot-3 | Shooting Guard
12.7 Points | 3.7 Rebounds | 67 Assists | 37 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Grant Beckenhauer | 6-foot-1 | Small Forward
4.3 Points | 2.6 Rebounds | 44 Assists | 20 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Millard South
2024-25 Record: 17-9
Record Over Past Decade: 117-120
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Tim Leuschen
Top Returning Players:
Senior Koby Meyers | 6-foot-5 | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
13.6 Points | 5.5 Rebounds | 74 Assists | 52 Steals | 9 blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Carter Margheim | 6-foot-5 | Small Forward | Power Forward
12.6 Points | 6.7 Rebounds | 61 Assists | 23 Steals | 13 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Jett Thomalla | 6-foot-5 | Point Guard | Small Forward
6.7 Points | 7.6 Rebounds | 119 Assists | 27 Steals | 11 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Isaac Jensen | 6-foot-6 Small Forward | Power Forward
6.5 Points | 3.8 Rebounds | 10 Assists | 9 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
Senior Owen Anderson | 6-foot-4 | Small Forward
5.2 Points | 2.2 Rebounds | 16 Assists | 2 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Senior DaShawn Prince | 6-foot-3 | Wing
6.9 Points | 4.1 Rebounds | 28 Assists | 17 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
Papillion-LaVista
2024-25 Record: 15-11
Record Over Past Decade: 141-107
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Will Pope
Top Returning Players:
Junior Sam Boudreau | 6-foot-3 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
12.0 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 30 Assists | 11 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Senior DeMarcus McCarty | 6-foot-3 | Shooting Guard
11.4 Points | 5.0 Rebounds | 50 Assists | 27 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Cedric Williams | 5-foot-9 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
10.2 Points | 2.3 Rebounds | 74 Assists | 22 Steals | 2 blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Preston Avalon | 6-foot-2
6.8 Points | 3.1 Rebounds | 38 Assists | 16 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Junior Bryce Vigness | 6-foot-3 | Power Forward | Center
8.2 Points | 4.0 Rebounds | 17 Assists | 13 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
Omaha Central
2024-25 Record: 10-14
Record Over Past Decade: 184-73
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Bruce Chubick
Top Returning Players:
Senior Lenox Haynes | 6-foot-4 | Shooting Guard
14.7 Points | 4.6 Rebounds | 32 Assists | 31 Steals | 16 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Evan Rodgers | 6-foot-3 | Shooting Guard
11.7 Points | 4.2 Rebounds | 49 Assists | 39 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Braylon Owens | 6-foot-4 | Small Forward | Power Forward
6.5 Points | 4.3 Rebounds | 37 Assists | 26 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Omaha Westview
2024-25 Record: 22-3
Record Over Past Decade: 44-30
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Patrick Freeman
Top Returning Players:
Senior Elijah Wilborn | 6-foot-5 | Small Forward | Guard
6.2 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 61 Assists | 32 Steals | 10 Blocked Shots
Senior Tzyon Patterson | 6-foot-5 | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Guard
4.7 Points | 2.3 Rebounds | 21 Assists | 18 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Junior Reegon Hollingsworth | 5-foot-10 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
5.5 Points | 1.1 Rebounds | 7 Assists | 14 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
Omaha North
2024-25 Record: 10-14
Record Over Past Decade: 114-122
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Thomas Liechti
Top Returning Players:
Senior Jerri'on Williams | 6-foot-3 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
18.6 Points | 5.5 Rebounds | 94 Assists | 63 Steals | 23 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Ban Yor | 6-foot-4
12.6 Points | 6.1 Rebounds | 36 Assists | 35 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Dontae McDowell | 6-foot-4
8.5 Points | 3.9 Rebounds | 18 Assists | 9 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Amillio Coppage-Wheeler | 6-foot-2
5.6 Points | 4.2 Rebounds | 20 Assists | 10 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Mar'Kese Pope | 6-foot-2
4.6 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 24 Steals | 12 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha Buena Vista
2024-25 Record: 15-11
Record Over Past Decade: 17-54
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: L.C. Doss
Top Returning Players:
Senior Zhyaire Partee | 6-foot-3 | Guard | Small Forward
6.6 Points | 3.1 Rebounds | 34 Assists | 20 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
Omaha Burke
2024-25 Record: 10-16
Record Over Past Decade: 87-151
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Caleb Ward
Top Returning Players:
Senior Ryan Rummel | 6-foot-2 | Small Forward
7.6 Points | 6.2 Rebounds | 15 Assists | 22 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Senior Jaylend Parks | 5-foot-9 | Point Guard
5.4 Points | 1.5 Rebounds | 28 Assists | 17 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Senior Jay Svoboda | 6-foot-5 | Forward
7.6 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 15 Assists | 11 Steals | 18 Blocked Shots
Omaha Benson
2024-25 Record: 9-16
Record Over Past Decade: 58-171
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Chauncey Lambert
Top Returning Players:
Senior Goanar Bamach | 6-foot-5 | Small Forward
17.1 Points | 7.6 Rebounds | 37 Assists | 43 Steals | 83 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Antonio Carson Jr. | 5-foot-10 | Shooting Guard | Point Guard
14.3 Points | 2.0 Rebounds | 54 Assists | 26 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Adryn Hollins | 6-foot | Shooting Guard | Point Guard
5.5 Points | 2.1 Rebounds | 9 Assists | 11 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Omaha Northwest
2024-25 Record: 5-18
Record Over Past Decade: 37-194
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Thaddeus Perry
Top Returning Players:
Senior DaWayne Kearney | Point Guard
13.0 Points | 2.7 Rebounds | 22 Assists | 51 Steals | 8 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Michael Dubose | 6-foot
12.0 Points | 5.1 Rebounds | 56 Assists | 27 Steals | 30 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Jakyi Johnson | 6-foot-1 | Power Forward
2.9 Points | 6.4 Rebounds | 6 Assists | 10 Steals | 13 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Xavier Bonner
5.8 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 25 Assists | 31 Steals | 13 Blocked Shots
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Akshay Setti | 5-foot-11
5.9 Points | 0.9 Rebounds | 8 Assists | 6 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Millard West
2024-25 Record: 7-16
Record Over Past Decade: 113-122
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Bill Morrison
Top Returning Players:
Junior Cade Walker | 6-foot-6 | Forward
12.0 Points | 7.4 Rebounds | 30 Assists | 23 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Vince Long | 6-foot-3 | Guard
5.5 Points | 2.3 Rebounds | 29 Assists | 13 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
Bellevue East
2024-25 Record: 8-15
Record Over Past Decade: 62-173
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Trevor Lenear
Top Returning Players:
Senior Kevin Matthews | 6-foot-2 | Guard
4.7 Points | 2.6 Rebounds | 23 Assists | 22 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Senior Tayjon Morton-Swift | Shooting Guard | Point Guard
4.1 Points | 2.5 Rebounds | 29 Assists | 29 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
Elkhorn South
2024-25 Record: 6-17
Record Over Past Decade: 122-118
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: JJ Zumbrennen
Top Returning Players:
Junior Charlie Buller | 6-foot-3 | Point Guard
3.6 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 37 Assists | 17 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Senior Cameron Wolf | 5-foot-11
3.4 Points | 2.5 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 7 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Omaha South
2024-25 Record: 5-19
Record Over Past Decade: 123-119
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Ben Gilliland
Top Returning Players:
Junior Jamir Davis | 6-foot-2 | Small Forward | Power Forward
5.4 Points | 5.5 Rebounds | 16 Assists | 14 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Junior Isaiah Ruffin | 5-foot-11 | Shooting Guard | Point Guard | Wing
8.7 Points | 4.9 Rebounds | 21 Assists | 29 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Omaha Bryan
2024-25 Record: 0-24
Record Over Past Decade: 88-147
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Matt Crouch
Top Returning Players:
Junior Keyon Williams | 5-foot-9 | Guard
9.8 Points | 2.4 Rebounds | 20 Assists | 16 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
