For the first time this basketball season Creighton Prep (11-4) lost consecutive basketball games. Despite the losses they have only fallen 2 spots to #7 in the Class A rankings. Even in losses to #1 Bellevue West and Lincoln Pius X (who was just outside the top 10) the Junior Jays showed strengths and displayed their ability to hang with some of the top teams in the state.
While the Junior Jays displayed a few positives, these games, they lost for good reasons. Creighton Prep started their week with a 73-61 loss to Bellevue West. The Thunderbirds jumped out to an early lead and were in control the whole game. Bellevue West launched a barrage of 3-pointers, knocking down 13/26 shots from beyond the arc. Guard Jadyn Cascio Jensen led this barrage in his career night. While Cascio Jensen came into the game a below-average 25% 3-point shooter, he dominated from beyond the arc. Cascio Jensen shot 8/10 from the 3-point line en route to a career-high 26 points. He was the true difference maker in this game. Jaden Jackson and Jacob Arop entered double figures as well.
Bellevue West limited some of Prep’s biggest strengths as well. Even with forwards Dillon Claussen and Trinell Parker crashing the glass, the Junior Jays were held to 5 offensive rebounds. The Junior Jays were held to 5 assists and were forced to play isolation basketball. It was truly a great game by the Thunderbirds.
Even in the loss the Junior Jays showed some positives. They shot 7/18 from deep, a very respectable 39%. They displayed their versatility, with Parker, Claussen, Marquis Toliver, and Torran Carter-Brown all entering double figures. Overall, an away game loss to the #1 team in the state won’t hurt Prep’s resume too much.
The loss to Lincoln Pius X was a completely different ball game. Prep had another cold start, being down 22-12 early in the second period. Slow starts have plagued the Junior Jays all year, but nothing highlighted it more than this past week. While the Junior Jays tried to claw back, the Thunderbolts kept a small lead and were able to oust the Junior Jays 63-58.
While the Thunderbolts shot eleven 3s – knocking down 5 of them – the real story of this game was how Pius X attacked the paint. While Pius X shot less than 50% inside the arc, the Thunderbolts relentless attack led to 21 free throw attempts, a stark difference from Bellevue West’s 3 attempts a few days prior. The Thunderbolts knocked down 16 of those 21 shots, propelling them to victory.
This week however, Prep has a chance to redeem themselves. The Junior Jays have their annual matchup at rival #4 Omaha Westside this Friday. Last year, the Junior Jays took down the Warriors 59-52, so the Warriors will be looking for revenge. This Saturday, the Junior Jays host the Millard South Patriots.
This week: @ Omaha Westside (2/2), vs Millard South (2/3)
