Last week was a phenomenal week for Creighton Prep varsity basketball. Entering last week, the Junior Jays were ranked #7, their lowest ranking so far this season, and had no statement wins. Instead of being content with a Top-10 ranking, a fire seemed to ignite inside the Prep roster. The Junior Jays (now 11-2) used this fire to go 3-0 this past week, with 2 top-10 wins over #9 Bryan and #5 Gretna, and climed to #5 in the rankings. 

Prep hosted Omaha Bryan in their final home game of the month. The Junior Jays dominated the early portion of the game, gaining a 20-9 lead. At that point, Bryan started to claw back. Led by forward A’mare Bynum (22 points, 10 rebounds) and guard Amir Martin (17 points) the Bears fought back and even took a lead in the third quarter. Knotted at 40 early in the final frame, the boys in blue went on a scorching 13-2 run en route to a 56-49 victory. Forwards Trinell Parker (16 points, 9 rebounds) and Dillon Claussen (11 points, 9 rebounds), dominated the glass giving the Junior Jays a lot of opportunities on the offensive end. 

After a Top-10 win against Bryan, Prep had 2 days rest before traveling to Gretna to take on the #5 Dragons. While both teams were pretty even, there was one glaring disparity on the stat sheet: the 3-point shot. Gretna struggled from deep, shooting 4/15 from beyond the arc. The Dragons pounded the paint, preferring 2s over 3s. Prep, on the other hand, shot over 60% of their shots from beyond the arc, and made nearly 40% of those attempts. The Junior Jays got especially hot in the final minutes of the second quarter, ending the half on a 21-7 run en route to a 64-52 victory. 

Prep ended their already superb week with a 66-26 victory over Buena Vista. Claussen had an efficient 20 points on 10 shots. Parker and senior guard Carson Jones both entered double figures as well, but the reason Prep won was their defense. They held the Bison to 21% shooting from the floor. Prep also posted 7 steals and 3 blocks as well. 

Regardless of how the victory was attained, the true storyline of this game was coach Josh Luedtke’s 400th win. Over the past 22 years, Luedtke has led Prep to the state tournament 16 times and won 3 state championships. He has led this team to a Top-10 finish every year since 2005, longer than some high school students have been alive. He has put this Creighton Prep team in the spotlight these past few decades. With his 400th victory, he has bolstered his already phenomenal legacy on the basketball court.

This next week featured a marquee matchup against #1 Bellevue West. The Thunderbirds (13-1) have the best record in class A. The Junior Jays also play St. Pius X (9-4) this week. 

This week: @ Bellevue West (1/25), @ Pius X (1/27)