We head into week three of the Metro Summer League and a few teams are starting to separate out as the teams to beat this summer. However, as we get farther into the summer, you never know for sure who may not be playing and there are always some surprises on who is playing. You can follow the league from the MBL mini-site. Here is the preview for Thursday, June 30th on what we know right now.
Game of the Night:
8:45 p.m. Court 1: UNO Alumni (2-0) vs. BD (2-0)
This one gets top billing mainly because of both teams being undefeated going into this contest. It should also be entertaining to watch. UNO Alumni has won two close games to start the summer and have had a tendency to break down towards the ends of games. They almost lost last week to Apex Foster Care after having a comfortable lead late, but missed free throws and lack of intensity let them come back before finally winning the game in overtime. They are in for a big challenge this week.
BD on the other hand has gone 2-0 after a couple of dominating wins over Winning Mentality and Shanks Law Firm. Other than a close first half last week against Shanks, BD has been on a roll. Led by future Omaha Chargers player James Parrott, BD has a lot of veterans that have played a lot together and have an opportunity to establish themselves as the team to beat this summer.
Bluejay Games
7:45 p.m. Court 4: NEBHSSPORTS.COM (2-0) vs. Rooferees (1-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Khyri Thomas, Justin Patton
This game will likely serve as a close second to game of the night with the surging NEBHSSPORTS.COM team. Led by Creighton’s Khyri Thomas and Justin Patton as well as Texas Southern’s KJ Scott, their combined play has led to big wins. After the opening week win against the veteran Going Vertical squad and then the thrashing of the Regulators last week, they have established themselves as a force for the league this summer.
On the other side you have the Rooferees and their roster that has been in flux since the summer has started fielding some different players each week. This week, former Husker and Pro, John Turek, will be with league organizer Jason Isaacson’s team looking to “build” upon the last two weeks. Both of their games have gone down to the wire, one with a last second win, and one with a last second near miss to be 2-0. A lot of eyes will probably be on this game.
7:45 p.m. Court 1: Regulators (1-1) vs. Judd Knispel Insurance (0-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Kaleb Joseph
The Regulators are coming off of a very lopsided loss last week to NEBHSSPORTS.com and look to bounce back against a winless Judd Knispel Insurance team. Judd will be without the services of Creighton’s Marcus Foster which may make it a little more difficult to garner their first win of the season.
7:45 p.m. Court 2: Narmi Group @ Baird (1-1) vs. Winning Mentality (1-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Ronnie Harrell, Tyler Clement, Taylor Stormberg, Matt Dorwart, Jahenns Manigat
Both teams are coming off their first win of the summer last week and will be a good matchup. The outside shooting of Harrell and Clement last week led the Narmi Group to their first win while Winning Mentality was able to hold off Judd Knispel after getting an early lead.
7:45 p.m. Court 3: OFWF (2-0) vs. Apex Foster Care (0-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Davion Mintz, Toby Hegner
OFWF has been able to get wins in two very close games due to the clutch play of Creighton freshman, Davion Mintz, the pressure of Austin Hennings, and the surprising athleticism of Mitch and Connor Moran. They have been a pleasant surprise hitting key free throws down the stretch of their games.
On the other hand, Apex Foster Care (Peru St.) have just come up short in their two games mounting a comeback against UNO Alumni last week to force overtime and a close loss to the Lopers (UNK) in week one.
8:45 p.m. Court 3: Going Vertical (1-1) vs. EQ School of Hair Design (0-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Justin Carter
Going Vertical bounced back last week to get on the winning track with a win over the Offutt Air Force Base team. They are no strangers to being the hunted with Omaha Central head coach Ben Holling, and former Creighton Bluejay Justin Carter, along with others in the league before. The X-factors for their team this season are UNO’s Tre’Shawn Thurman and Tra-Deon Hollins. They had quite a few fast break connections last week that is keeping this team young and very competitive.
EQ School of Hair Design is 0-2 and will be without the services of Creighton’s Maurice Watson, Jr., and Zach Hanson. They lost a close game last week to Bank of Nebraska and may have a tough road ahead for them tonight.
Others
8:45 p.m. Court 2: Bank of Nebraska (1-1) vs. Lopers (1-1)
Bank of Nebraska garnered a win last week behind former Bluejay Devin Brooks, but it looks like it could be a pretty even matchup this week with the UNK roster of Lopers against several Hastings College current players and grads if Brooks is not there this week.
8:45 p.m. Court 4: Air Force (0-2) vs. Shanks Law Firm (1-1)
This game will show how well Shanks can bounce back after losing big to BD last week. Omaha Charger’s Trey Bardsley along with his former Nebraska Wesleyan graduate teammates look to rebound against the mysterious Air Force team out of Offutt. The Air Force team has been very competitive, but suffered some close losses. They hope to garner their first win of the summer.