The Omaha World Herald has released its final rankings for the 2022/23 boys basketball season. SEM and Ansley/Litchfield were each ranked in their respective class. SEM qualified for the NSAA boys state basketball championships and was ranked #7 by the publication entering the state tournament. The Mustangs moved up to #3 in the final Class D2 poll as they claimed the 3rd place trophy at the state championships this past weekend. Class D2 state champion Parkview Christian of Lincoln was ranked #1 followed by state runner-up Wynot, who edged SEM in the state semifinals 53-50. Behind SEM at #4 in the rankings was Shelton who SEM defeated in the 3rd place consolation game 62-60 and Osceola, who SEM knocked off in the opening round of the state tournament, finished #5 in the final poll.
Ansley/Litchfield qualified for the state tournament and finished the season at 19-6 overall. The Spartans show up at #8 in the final Class D1 top ten poll. One spot ahead of Ansley/Litchfield at #7 is fellow Fort Kearny Conference member Elm Creek. State champion Johnson Brock is ranked #1 followed by state runner-up North Platte St. Pat’s at #2. Dundy County Stratton is ranked #3 followed by Maywood Hayes Center, who defeated Ansley/Litchfield in the state quarterfinals at the state tournament, at #4. Howells-Dodge rounds out the Class D1 top five.
