We head into week four of the Metro Summer League. Hard to believe that we are already through half of summer league with two sessions of pool play remaining before the tournament starts. Several teams are setting themselves up for a playoff run.
With it still being a holiday week, there may be some players who may not be there and again there could be some surprises. For roster updates throughout the day on the OMAMetroLeague Twitter feed. Get league from the MBL mini-site. Here is the preview for Thursday, July 7th:
Game of the Night:
8:45 p.m. Court 2: OFWF (2-1) vs. BD (3-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Toby Hegner, Davion Mintz (?)
OFWF has been pretty strong so far this summer behind Toby Hegner, Davion Mintz, Austin Hennings, and the Moran brothers, Mitch and Connor. Mintz was out of town last week and that may have been the difference between a win and a loss against Apex Foster Care that could have been a showdown between two 3-0 teams.. Check the Twitter feeds to see if he is available to play on Thursday night as OFWF will need all the help they can get against BD.
BD has been dominant all summer long. The key is the team play led by former Midlands University graduates Ben Imig and the high flying James Parrott. The added veterans of Andy King and another Midlands graduate Galen Gullie has created a solid team from top to bottom. It is quite possible that they will roll into the playoffs undefeated.
Bluejay Games
7:45 p.m. Court 3: Judd Knispel Insurance (0-3) vs. NEBHSSPORTS.COM (3-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Marcus Foster, Kaleb Joseph, Justin Patton, Khyri Thomas
While some will wait for the 8:45 game over on court two, this game will definitely have a lot of eyes on it during the 7:45 games as it features some of the biggest names on Creighton’s roster heading into next season. Although Kaleb Joseph will have to sit out next season, summer league is the best time to watch him play since he is new to the team. Khyri Thomas was strong as a freshman starter for the Jays most of last season and could have a major jump from his freshman to sophomore seasons. Then with Foster and Patton, both had to sit out last season (Foster as a transfer, Patton as a redshirt) which has given the hype machine the usual high anticipation on how they will contribute this season. If they are all there, it should be quite a matchup between teammates.
As a team, NEBHSSPORTS.COM has been a big surprise this summer. After getting an upset win in week 1, they have been on a roll taking down teams without too many problems. Besides Thomas and Patton, KJ Scott has been huge as well as some nice contributions from UNO’s Mitch Hahn and Ben Kositzke. However, don’t be fooled too much by the 0-3 Judd Knisepel record. If everyone is there, they will bring their A game. Maybe Kendall Patton will try to cover Justin.
7:45 p.m. Court 2: Bank of Nebraska (2-1) vs. Winning Mentality (2-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Devin Brooks (?)
Brooks has been a key contributor to the two wins for Bank of Nebraska. Other than a last second breakdown in game one, they could easily be 3-0 right now. They did win a close game against the Lopers last week with a 2-point victory. On the other side, Winning Mentality, after stumbling in week one as well, have rebounded quite well including a tight 1 point victory last week of their own. This game could be a close one and a good one to watch if you aren’t enamored with the game on court 3.
8:45 p.m. Court 1: Regulators (2-1) vs. EQ School of Hair Design (0-3)
Bluejays to Watch: ?
EQ may be without Creighton’s Mo Watson and Zach Hanson again this week. Hanson was injured a couple weeks ago and Watson was back on the east coast with family. EQ may continue to struggle this week against the Bellevue University graduate team of the Regulators. The Regulators rolled last week against Judd Knispel Insurance and they could roll again in this one.
8:45 p.m. Court 3: Shanks Law Firm (2-1) vs. Going Vertical (2-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Justin Carter
Going Vertical has bounced back after a week one loss. This team is stacked with veterans like Carter, Ben Holling, Klaye Rowe and Cody Levinson but also have the great athleticism of UNO’s Tra-Deon Hollins and Tre’Shawn Thurman. This will be a great matchup this week against the Nebraska Wesleyan graduate team of Shanks Law Firm. Trey Bardsley, who will be playing with the Omaha Chargers later this year, leads that team and can drain it from deep.
8:45 p.m. Court 4: Apex Foster Care (1-2) vs. Narmi Group @ Baird (1-2)
Bluejays to Watch: Ronnie Harrell, Tyler Clement, Jahenns Manigat, Taylor Stormberg, Matt Dorwart, Will Artino
Apex Foster Care (Peru St.) has been strong in recent weeks even though the record doesn’t show it. They have been in all of the games they played, but have had a problem finishing games compared to last summer when they were one of the more dominant teams in summer league. They will look to keep on the winning track now after getting their first summer victory against OFWF last week.
As for Narmi Group @ Baird, this team has been mainly a Creighton team full of current and former players, so you never know who might end up playing with this team. You never know, if Anthony Tolliver is playing this week due to his camp going on in the Metro, he could end up on this team.
Others
7:45 p.m. Court 1: Air Force (0-3) vs. Rooferees (1-2)
The Air Force team out of Offutt Air Force Base has been competitive this summer, but do not have any wins to show for it. They will look for their first win against a Rooferees team who doesn’t necessarily know who will be on the roster from week to week. After getting a victory in week one with a Ricky Kreklow/Will Artino contribution, the Rooferees have had different players in the rotation including the return of John Turek last week. Earlier in the season, Grant Gibbs was listed on the roster, but hasn’t played yet and likely won’t as he will be getting ready to participate in The Tournament with team 120Sports. That is probably more lucrative than the Omaha Summer League.
7:45 p.m. Court 4: Lopers (1-2) vs. UNO Alumni (2-1)
The Lopers (UNK) lost a tough one last week against Bank of Nebraska. UNO Alumni got drilled by BD. Something has to give in this one and it will be a battle.
Check back with White and Blue Review on Thursday night and Friday morning for recaps of the games. Keep updated by visiting the MBL Summer League mini-site, and following things on Twitter @OMAMetroLeague.