“Be us.”

That’s the mantra for 23rd year Coach Joshua Luedtke and his squad as they embark on their 2024-25 season.

“If we are us, we’re going to be in great shape,” Luedtke said as Prep enters the season.

This year’s team has a handful of key departures from last year’s State Quarterfinal campaign, bringing back just over 30% of their total offensive production, losing forward Dillon Claussen, wing Carson Jones, and guard Marquis Toliver – all guys that have gone on to play at the collegiate level.

Three members of last year’s state qualifying team return, providing ample opportunity for new faces to showcase, while providing a foundation for what Luedtke believes is strong chemistry.

“We’ve taken strides to become a very tight-knit team,” Luedtke said. “That happens through the process of offseason workouts and summer and fall league.”

The roster features two seniors, including returning star forward Trinell Parker, along with nine juniors, two sophomores, and freshman Ivan Bamaze.

In addition to Parker, Torran Carter-Brown returns. The junior guard said he expects himself to level up as he enters his third varsity season, both in production and as a veteran leader of this team.

“I’m one of the upperclassmen on the team, so I have to take on a big leadership role,”Carter-Brown said.

The third and final returner, 6’7” sophomore forward Max Jungers, is coming off a summer overseas with Luxembourg’s FIBA U16 team.

The Jr. Jays are slotted as the preseason #3 team in NebPreps’ Class A Coaches Poll, and are an odds-on favorite to capture their first state title since 2018.

Luedtke is as eager as anyone to get the year underway.

“This group, I’m excited. I’ve probably used that word too much this week, but I’m excited to see what this group has.”