Through 2 games this year, the second-ranked Creighton Prep Junior Jays look like contenders for a state championship. The Junior Jays have started 2-0, with double digit wins over both Lincoln High and Papillion La Vista. 

On opening night, Creighton Prep hosted Lincoln High in the Heider Center. After a sluggish opening quarter, the Junior Jays out scored the Links 30-12 in the second quarter to take a 15 point lead into the half. From there, the Junior Jays kept slowly growing their lead into a 86-51 victory. 

The main story of this game was junior forward Trinell Parker. Parker posted a career high 27 points, shooting nearly 70% from the floor. Parker also led the team with 7 offensive rebounds, allowing the Junior Jays to get multiple opportunities on the offensive end. 

After a high-scoring victory, the Junior Jays traveled to Lincoln to take on Papillion La Vista in a neutral-site affair. The Junior Jays used a dominant defensive performance, holding the Monarchs to only 38 points, to win 58-38. 

The Junior Jay defense played a phenomenal game, that’s the only way to put it. The Monarchs were swarmed all game, shooting 22% from the floor. The Junior Jays forced 7 turnovers and blocked 6 shots as well. 

Forward Dillon Claussen and guard Marquis Toliver both scored 11 points to lead the Junior Jays on the offensive end. Sophomore guard Torran Carter-Brown was the main ball handler, leading the team with 6 assists while scoring 9 points of his own. 

Although the Junior Jays are winning big, there are some visible issues, such as struggles from the free throw line. Prep is shooting 62.5% from the free throw line. In more competitive games, every point matters, and that 62.5% needs to go up. 

Overall, this opening week was a phenomenal start for a Creighton Prep team that should have title aspirations. They have shown they can win in high scoring affairs but also hold their own in low scoring gritty matchups. 

This week: December 8 @ Papillion La Vista South, December 9 @ Lincoln Southeast