Play began at the 2026 NSAA boys state basketball championships in Lincoln on Wednesday with games being played in classes A, C2, and D2. In Class D2, it was a thriller between top seed Elgin Public Pope John and #8 seed Pleasanton. EPPJ was able to hold off the Bulldogs 46-44 to advance to Friday’s semifinals. Pleasanton’s Brennan Lindner led all scorers with 23 points and Jarek Erickson led the way for EPPJ with a team high 16. Elgin will play GACC in the semifinals. GACC edged Deshler 54-50 to advance. On the other side of the D2 bracket, Archangels Catholic defeated Falls City Sacred Heart 49-28 and St. Mary’s defeated Wynot 56-42.
In Class C2, top seed Yutan cruised into the semifinals with a 62-40 win over EMF. Yutan will play Norfolk Catholic in the semifinals. Norfolk Catholic was held scoreless in the first quarter and trailed 13-0 but came back and defeated North Bend Central 48-40 to advance. On the other side of the C2 bracket, Bergan Catholic rolled past Pender 71-43 to advance to the semifinals where they will face Freeman who defeated Valentine, in overtime, 57-56.
In Class A, top seed Omaha Westside squeaked by Lincoln High 61-58 to advance to the semifinals where they will face Lincoln Southwest who knocked off Millard North 81-71. On the other side of the Class A bracket, Bellevue West defeated Papillion-LaVista 79-68 and Papillion-LaVista South defeated Creighton Prep 57-48.
The tournament continues today in Lincoln featuring the state quarterfinals is classes B, C1, D1. The matchups are listed below
Class B
Skutt Catholic of Omaha vs Lincoln Pius X
Elkhorn North vs Wahoo
Norris vs Bennington
Scottsbluff vs Gretna East
Class C1
Ogallala vs Syracuse
DC West vs GICC
Ashland-Greenwood vs Lincoln Christian
Auburn vs Gothenburg
Class D1
Howells-Dodge vs Fullerton
Elm Creek vs North Platte St. Pat’s
Lutheran High Northeast vs Mead
East Butler vs McCool Junction
