Creighton basketball fans are abuzz right now with Doug McDermott being named to the Team USA U19 squad this week. Understandably, McDermott won’t be in action during this week’s Metro Omaha Summer Basketball League games.
Last week, the league began with fewer of the better-known current college players and graduated veterans listed on the rosters. However, a lot of them will be here this week including John Turek, Andre Smith, Wes Wilkinson, and Andrew Drevo to name a few. A few highly touted high school players will be joining the league this week as well including Omaha Central’s Akoy Agau. As always, you can check http://metrobball.whiteandbluereview.com for the latest rosters and schedule information.
Are all the Creighton players playing Thursday night?
As of right now, Jahenns Manigat may see limited action in Summer League play since he has class on Thursday nights. However, Will Artino may be playing more than expected. Last week Artino’s class was done early and he raced out to the Omaha Sports Academy and played the whole second half for Higgins Siding and had a few amazing plays. It appears Artino will likely be at Summer League this week as well. If Manigat or Artino play Thursday night, they will be assigned to a team for that evening. Incoming freshman Austin Chatman will not be participating until he gets to Omaha in July.
Many of the Creighton Bluejays, including Gregory Echenique, are helping out with Creighton basketball camp, but it is assumed that all could play barring other commitments.
There are a few great matchups this week. Here is a preview of what to expect.
Game of the Night:
7:00 p.m. (Court 1) Narmi Group (1-0) vs. UNO Alumni (1-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Josh Jones, Chad Millard, Brody Deren
This game is interesting mainly for the fact that this is only one of two matchups between two teams that both won last week. Josh Jones led the comeback against the Bellevue Alumni helping Narmi pull off the win in the final seconds. They continue their tour of alumni teams when they face UNO Alumni. UNO Alumni had a solid win against Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan, & Gordon (say that 50 times) last week. We could also see the return of Chad “The Wizard” Millard to the basketball court in this one.
Other Games of Interest:
6:00 p.m. (Court 3) Judd Knispel Agency (0-1) vs. Paragas Law (1-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Antoine Young, Alex Olson, Wayne Runnels, Darryl Ashford, Kaleb Korver, Justin Carter
For Creighton fans, this game is a close second for game of the night. Paragas Law is the Creighton Alumni team with Runnels, Ashford, Carter and Korver. It is a lot of fun watching these former players again. At the same time they will be going up against their former point guard Antoine Young and walk-on Alex Olson. Look for some flash in this game.
6:00 p.m. (Court 2) Shanks Law (0-1) vs. Zurlo’s Pizza (1-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Geoffrey Groselle, Nevin Johnson, Ethan Wragge, Derek Sebastian, Ross Ferrarini
Last week was the first chance to see Groselle and Johnson hit the court in Omaha. And from most views, they didn’t do too badly. Although Shanks could only score 62 points last week, I think there were a lot of nerves out there as well. There may be a chance you could see Ethan Wragge since he is in town for Creighton basketball camp, but they may still be easing him into play with his foot recovery.
Zurlo’s made things a little nerve racking themselves when they almost blew a 20-point lead and hung on by one point. Again, the future of Creighton basketball will be on the court for this one and should keep interest.
6:00 p.m. (Court 1) Bellevue University (1-0) vs. Leach Camper Sales (o-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Taylor Stormberg, Matt Dorwart
Bellevue University looks to continue their yearly dominance of summer league basketball against Leach Camper Sales. Bellevue won last week, but in a low scoring affair. Leach Camper made a furious comeback last week against Zurlo’s Pizza down by 20, but came up just short on a Taylor Stormberg three at the end. This week, they hope to turn things around to snag a win.
6:00 p.m. (Court 4) EQ School of Hair (1-0) vs. Chris Carder Agency (0-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Grant Gibbs, Avery Dingman, Gregory Echenique
It was great to see Grant Gibbs back out on the court last week and having some good success. It was also exciting to see Avery Dingman for the first time. With their play and contribution from others, they scored the only blowout of summer league last week. Will we see Gregory Echenique join them this week? I guess you will have to come out on Thursday to see for sure.
Chris Carder Agency were considered favorites in the league based on the people on the team from last season that won the league. They came up short against the Creighton alums. However, they may get a little more firepower with Wes Wilkinson joining them Thursday night.
7:00 p.m. (Court 3) Thompson Basketball Camp (0-1) vs. Barley’s (0-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Rodney Buford, Livan Pyfrom, Nick Bahe
Both of these teams are trying to rebound after tough losses in week 1. Andre Smith from North Dakota State will join Thompson Basketball Camp this week when they take on Rodney Buford and Barley’s.
7:00 p.m. (Court 4) UNO Mavs (1-0) vs. Higgins Siding (1-0)
With the play of Omar Bynum and Will Artino last week, Higgins Siding was able to walk away with a double overtime win. It is hard to tell if Artino will be joining them this week, but Higgins will still be tough. However, UNO Mavs are a tight knit group that could be sitting on top of the league at the end of the night.
7:00 p.m. (Court 2) Bellevue Alumni (0-1) vs. Walentine, O’Toole, McQuillan & Gordon (0-1)
Andrew Drevo will join WOMG on Thursday night and give them a little more support when they take on Bellevue Alumni. The BU Alumni will definitely be hungry for a win after their close loss to Narmi Group.