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.
While winning girls back-to-back Class A State Basketball Championships in 2024 and 2025, head coach Marc Kruger's Millard West Wildcats went 55-2 and are currently on a 26-game winning streak.
If Kruger is going to guide the Wildcats to that same kind of dominance in 2025-26, the seventh-year head coach will have to reload. Kruger lost more than 57-percent of his scoring from a year ago.
Kruger does welcome back Kylee Paben, the only senior on his roster. The 6-foot power forward ripped the cords for 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game and chipped in 19 assists, 37 steals and 17 blocked shots on the year to earn Second Team Class A All-State honors by both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star.
Paben, who scored a season-high 25 points in a 60-28 win over Omaha North last December, also earned First Team All-Metro honors in 2024-25. Kruger does return four other players that averaged anywhere from 2.1-3.7 points a game while playing in the majority of or all of Millard West's games.
Junior Kylee Millard, sophomore MaKenna Rooney, junior Jaelynn Moody and sophomore Londyn Whitney averaged 11.8 points collectively for Kruger a year ago.
Omaha Westside faced the Wildcats in the Class A state title contest last March. The Warriors have the look of a Metro Conference contender as well.
The Warriors return Himayajo Metoyer, a Second Team Class A All-State honoree. The sophomore guard splashed 15.0 points and pulled down 4.8 rebounds a contest to go with 44 assists, 39 steals and two blocked shots a year ago.
Senior Sanai Foster averaged 9.9 points and 6.7 boards in 2024-25 while juniors Gueryn Kay and Jayah Freeman scored 5.5 points a game each. Kay averaged 4.1 rebounds and Freeman pulled in 1.7 boards a contest.
Enough of my rambling. Enjoy!
Girls Metro Conference
Millard West (28-1)
Omaha Westside (21-7)
Bellevue West (18-9)
Omaha Westview (21-5)
Millard South (16-10)
Millard North (22-4)
Bellevue East (21-5)
Omaha Marian (13-10)
Papillion-LaVista (15-10)
Omaha Central (12-12)
Omaha North (10-14)
Papillion-LaVista South (8-15)
Elkhorn South (6-16)
Omaha Benson (6-18)
Omaha Buena Vista (3-22)
Omaha South (2-20)
Omaha Northwest (7-17)
Omaha Burke (3-22)
Millard West
2024-25 Record: 28-1
Record Over Past Decade: 172-81
2024-25 Postseason: 3-0 | Class A State Champion
Head Coach: Marc Kruger
Top Returning Players:
Senior Kylee Paben | 6-foot | Power Forward
13.2 Points | 6.6 Rebounds | 19 Assists | 37 Steals | 17 Blocked Shots
Second Team Class A Omaha World Herald | Second Team Class A Lincoln Journal Star
First Team All-Metro Conference
Omaha Westside
2024-25 Record: 21-7
Record Over Past Decade: 180-82
2024-25 Postseason: 2-1 | Class A Runner-Up
Head Coach: Steve Clark
Top Returning Players:
Sophomore Himayajo Metoyer | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
15.0 Points | 4.8 Rebounds | 44 Assists | 39 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Second Team Class A Omaha World Herald | Second Team Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Sanai Foster | 6-foot-2 | Power Forward | Center
9.9 Points | 6.7 Rebounds | 24 Assists | 18 Steals | 10 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Gueryn Kay | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard
5.5 Points | 4.1 Rebounds | 31 Assists | 32 Steals | 10 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Jayah Freeman
5.5 Points | 1.7 Rebounds | 38 Assists | 15 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Bellevue West
2024-25 Record: 18-9
Record Over Past Decade: 155-93
2024-25 Postseason: 1-1 | Lost in Class A Semifinals
Head Coach: Dane Bacon
Top Returning Players:
Sophomore Stevie Harley | 5-foot-11 | Forward
12.9 Points | 8.9 Rebounds | 47 Assists | 42 Steals | 71 Blocked Shots
Second Team Class A Omaha World Herald | Second Team Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Da'Nyla Tatum | 5-foot-8 | Guard
12.6 Points | 4.0 Rebounds | 90 Assists | 38 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Yirah Sears | 5-foot-10 | Guard
8.7 Points | 4.9 Rebounds | 75 Assists| 62 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Vanna Reitsma | 5-foot-9 | Guard
7.0 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 59 Assists | 62 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Jaycee Woodard | 5-foot-8 | Guard
7.3 Points | 3.1 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 19 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha Westview
2024-25 Record: 21-5
Record Over Past Decade: 41-33
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Jason Simons
Top Returning Players:
Senior Stella Williams | 5-foot-9 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
11.3 Points | 3.4 Rebounds | 34 Assists | 26 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Cardy King | 5-foot-9 | Shooting Guard
10.5 Points | 4.8 Rebounds | 43 Assists | 41 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Lucy Fierro | 5-foot-2 | Point Guard
5.1 Points | 2.3 Rebounds | 86 Assists | 43 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Kalyn Bailey
8.6 Points | 3.5 Rebounds | 20 Assists | 25 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Macy Kellner | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
5.8 Points | 2.2 Rebounds | 50 Assists | 38 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
Senior Olivia Ross
5.9 Points | 2.9 Rebounds | 26 Assists | 18 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
Millard South
2024-25 Record: 16-10
Record Over Past Decade: 223-48
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Ben Thorn
Top Returning Players:
Senior Abbi Durow | 5-foot-8 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
15.1 Points | 1.6 Rebounds | 38 Assists | 52 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Third Team All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Aubrey Carder | 5-foot-8 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
10.9 Points | 6.9 Rebounds | 65 Assists | 48 Steals | 8 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Liv Woockman | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard
3.5 Points | 2.2 Rebounds | 74 Assists | 23 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Macey Kuchta | 5-foot-9 | Small Forward | Power Forward
5.7 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 50 Assists | 25 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Millard North
2024-25 Record: 22-4
Record Over Past Decade: 188-64
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Chris Paulson
Top Returning Players:
Senior Clara Welker | 6-foot | Power Forward
7.8 Points | 4.2 Rebounds | 47 Assists | 16 Steals | 17 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Izzie Galligan | 5-foot-8
8.8 Points | 3.2 Rebounds | 66 Assists | 43 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Bellevue East
2024-25 Record: 21-5
Record Over Past Decade: 115-127
2024-25 Postseason: 0-1 | Lost in Class A Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Eric Lenear
Top Returning Players:
Junior Tniyah Wilson-Smith | 6-foot | Power Forward | Shooting Guard
21.4 Points | 11.9 Rebounds | 59 Assists | 45 Steals | 34 Blocked Shots
First Team Class A Omaha World Herald | First Team Class A Lincoln Journal Star
First Team All-Metro Conference
Omaha Marian
2024-25 Record: 13-10
Record Over Past Decade: 111-114
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Eric Thompson
Top Returning Players:
Sophomore Alivia Kuhn
15.1 Points | 7.3 Rebounds | 35 Assists | 22 Steals | 8 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Second Team All-Metro Conference
Senior Paige Miller | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard
7.0 Points | 3.4 Rebounds | 62 Assists | 66 Steals | 3 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Emelia Daubendiek | 6-foot | Shooting Guard | Power Forward
6.4 Points | 5.2 Rebounds | 14 Assists | 11 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Papillion-LaVista
2024-25 Record: 15-10
Record Over Past Decade: 143-100
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Cody Trofholz
Top Returning Players:
Junior Jayda Richardson | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
11.4 Points | 3.3 Rebounds | 48 Assists | 36 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Corryn Estelle | 5-foot-8 | Power Forward
3.6 Points | 3.6 Rebounds | 29 Assists | 9 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Aubree Fettin | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard
3.7 Points | 2.7 Rebounds | 25 Assists | 24 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha Central
2024-25 Record: 12-12
Record Over Past Decade: 117-131
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Nicole Mitchell
Top Returning Players:
Junior Sanai Cotton-Welchen | Point Guard
7.5 Points | 2.4 Rebounds | 28 Assists | 36 Steals | 1 Blocked Shot
Senior Justine Tcheuhchoua | Small Forward
9.5 Points | 3.7 Rebounds | 22 Assists | 38 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
Omaha North
2024-25 Record: 10-14
Record Over Past Decade: 76-152
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Michaela Dailey
Top Returning Players:
Senior Ayanna Hill | 5-foot-8 | Shooting Guard
13.0 Points | 4.3 Rebounds | 35 Assists | 51 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Sierra Thomas | 6-foot | Forward
9.6 Points | 7.8 Rebounds | 17 Assists | 20 Steals | 21 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Akazja Foster | 5-foot-2 | Point Guard
9.3 Points | 2.7 Rebounds | 62 Assists | 53 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Alaeya Randle | 5-foot-6 | Point Guard | Shooting Guard
6.3 Points | 4.2 Rebounds | 43 Assists | 54 Steals | 14 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Papillion-LaVista South
2024-25 Record: 8-15
Record Over Past Decade: 124-115
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Andy Gerlecz
Top Returning Players:
Junior Addison Medeck | Center
11.5 Points | 9.4 Rebounds | 22 Assists | 17 Steals | 20 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Maizey Macke
8.4 Points | 1.0 Rebound | 28 Assists | 40 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Elkhorn South
2024-25 Record: 6-16
Record Over Past Decade: 118-127
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Jake Nannen
Top Returning Players:
Junior Mollie Probasco | 5-foot-10 | Guard
11.0 Points | 6.0 Rebounds | 43 Assists | 40 Steals | 9 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Liv Schieber | 5-foot-8 | Guard
9.0 Points | 5.0 Rebounds | 54 Assists | 32 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Macy Schneider | 5-foot-6
5.8 Points | 1.7 Rebounds | 16 Assists | 24 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
Junior Rowan Swartz | 5-foot-7
5.9 Points | 1.8 Rebounds | 16 Assists | 15 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
Omaha Benson
2024-25 Record: 6-18
Record Over Past Decade: 107-120
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Bobby Massey
Top Returning Players:
Junior McKenzie Lewis | Shooting Guard | Center | Small Forward
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore J'Lynn Chatmon-Flakes | 5-foot-5 | Point Guard | Guard
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Jaeli Franccini | Shooting Guard | Small Forward
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha Buena Vista
2024-25 Record: 3-22
Record Over Past Decade: 7-63
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Madison Montgomery
Top Returning Players:
Senior Zaria Townsend | 5-foot-7 | Forward
8.3 Points | 6.2 Rebounds | 10 Assists | 27 Steals | 4 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Junior Gabby Kilgore | 5-foot-7 | Guard
6.2 Points | 2.4 Rebounds | 17 Assists | 27 Steals | 5 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Sophomore Nya Lul | 5-foot-9 | Forward
5.6 Points | 3.6 Rebounds | 13 Assists | 15 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Senior Da'Shia Evans | 5-foot-2 | Guard
4.7 Points | 5.1 Rebounds | 31 Assists | 33 Steals | 0 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
Omaha South
2024-25 Record: 2-20
Record Over Past Decade: 42-185
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Charles Northcutt Jr.
Top Returning Players:
Junior Aubrey Harper | 5-foot-5 | Power Forward | Guard
13.9 Points | 9.1 Rebounds | 10 Assists | 29 Steals | 7 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM All-Metro Conference
Senior Eve Hodoly | 5-foot-5 | Point Guard | Guard
6.0 Points | 4.5 Rebounds | 27 Assists | 58 Steals | 14 Blocked Shots
Omaha Northwest
2024-25 Record: 7-17
Record Over Past Decade: 105-138
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Marquis Haynes
Top Returning Players:
Senior Delanee Barrett | Point Guard
3.2 Points | 3.0 Rebounds | 4 Assists | 19 Steals | 2 Blocked Shots
Senior Taya Haynes | 5-foot-8 | Point Guard
3.0 Points | 2.4 Rebounds | 19 Assists | 38 Steals | 6 Blocked Shots
Omaha Burke
2024-25 Record: 3-22
Record Over Past Decade: 72-160
2024-25 Postseason: Did Not Qualify
Head Coach: Melvin Blair
Top Returning Players:
Sophomore Janelle Clark | 5-foot-6 | Guard
6.1 Points | 7.2 Rebounds | 30 Assists | 36 Steals | 21 Blocked Shots
HM Class A Omaha World Herald | HM Class A Lincoln Journal Star
Honorable Mention All-Metro Conference
