With the College World Series almost behind us, and with summer in full swing, it seems the perfect time for college basketball!
OK, maybe not, but we’re not going to complain. We at WBR are just excited that the Creighton Bluejays will participate in a summer league in Omaha this year. Thanks to Jason Isaacson, collegiate past and present from around the Omaha area, and some generous sponsors, the Omaha Metro Summer Basketball League begins play Tuesday.
This week, the league kicks off with games Tuesday and Thursday. Next week, it is back to the regularly scheduled Thursday night games. You can get all your previews, recaps, and pictures from the Summer League games at White & Blue Review – we are the exclusive home to the Metro Summer Basketball League in 2010. Bookmark http://metrobball.whiteandbluereview.com to quickly find all the information you need to follow the Jays in these entertaining games.
Come out to the Omaha Sports Academy to watch the following matchups. Games are open to the public.
Note: Games Tuesday night take place at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. During the rest of summer, games will be at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Are all the Creighton players playing Tuesday night? As of right now, four Bluejays will not be playing due to class commitments: Greg Echenique, Darryl Ashford, Josh Jones, and Grant Gibbs (who is also recovering from injury)
Game of the Night:
7:30 p.m. (Court 2) EQ School of Hair Design vs. Shanks Law Firm
Bluejays to watch: Kaleb Korver, Wayne Runnels, Kody Ingle, Casey Harriman, Matt Dorwart, Will Artino
There will likely be a large number of white and blue-clad fans gathering around Court 2 at 7:30 p.m. EQ features Kaleb Korver and Wayne Runnels, and Shanks will put Casey Harriman, Matt Dorwart, Kody Ingle, and Will Artino on the court. It will give many CU fans their first opportunity to see Ingle and Artino, two standout prep players from Iowa who will be freshmen this fall.
Other Games of Interest:
6:30 p.m. (Court 1) Bellevue University vs. ABIDE Ministries
Bluejays to watch: Josh Dotzler, Nick Bahe, Pierce Hibma, Dane Watts, Taylor Stormberg
Relive some recent Creighton hoops history during this game, featuring recent CU players and teammates Josh Dotzler, Nick Bahe, Pierce Hibma, and Dane Watts. Darryl Ashford won’t be there because of class, but Creighton walk-on Taylor Stormberg should be around. Outside of the open scrimmages last October, you probably didn’t see much of the former Creighton Prep standout, but as a walk-on he could contribute for the Bluejays.
6:30 p.m. (Court 2) UNO vs. Heartland Properties and (Court 3) UNO Alumni vs. Go Gettaz
Bluejays to watch: Ethan Wragge, Rodney Buford
The game over at Court 2 would have been better from a Creighton standpoint if Gibbs and Josh Jones were available for Heartland Properties. But if you want to see some great outside shooting, then watching Ethan Wragge should be reward enough. Over at Court 3, you may have the opportunity to see Creighton’s all-time leading scorer, Rodney Buford, lead the Go Gettaz against the UNO Alumni team.
7:30 p.m. (Court 1) State Farm vs. Icehouse and (Court 2) Narmi Group vs. McGinn Law
Bluejays to Watch: Antoine Young, Jahenns Manigat, Doug McDermott, Ross Ferrarini, Kenny Lawson
Fans showing up to catch a glimpse of big Greg Echenique will have to wait. But Court 1 will feature Antoine Young, arguably one of the fastest players in the league.
But if you want to learn a little bit about some unknown commodities, walk over to Court 3 and check out a new cast of characters. It is almost reminiscent of a spaghetti western or a wrestling match. You’ll see Jahenns “The Canadian” Manigat, Doug “The Coach’s Son” McDermott and Ross “Mr. Simple Plays” Ferrarini join the “California Kid” Kenny Lawson for the Narmi Group taking on a McGinn team full of former players mostly from Nebraska and Bellevue who liked to have the ball in their hands. It will be fun to watch this group of Bluejays play together.
So if you’re hungry for some hoops, show up Tuesday (and Thursday, too). Jason will have programs at the door, and snacks (if previous years are any indication). And if you cannot make it out to the Omaha Sports Academy, come back to White & Blue Review and the Metro Summer Basketball League site on Wednesday for recaps of the night’s action.