There are no boys state basketball trophies at North Bend Central. Unless someone can find that state runner-up trophy from 1926.
Heck, there isn’t even a state tournament win to be had since 1927 and only two appearances at the state tournament in Lincoln (1979 and 2009) since then.
And, while coach Jonathon Baehr isn’t quite sure if his 2015-16 team will be the one to break that streak, it might be the team he thanks if, and when, it does happen.
“We kind of just talk every day about getting better,” Baehr said Monday, two days after his team defeated Twin River 53-50 to win the East Husker Conference championship. “Each time we get to play together we talk about that being a special opportunity. We don’t talk about winning and losing, but more about max effort.”
So far, so good for the Tigers who have now won 19 consecutive games – only four teams in the state have a current active streak that long – since an opening loss to Twin River on December 4th. Put in perspective, the Tigers seniors had won 17 games in their entire career coming into this season.
Still, however, North Bend feels like they still have much to prove. Despite the winning streak, they remain unranked by both state newspapers, something Baehr said they addressed, but don’t worry about.
“It’s funny,” the coach said, “we did talk about that today. We addressed it as a team. But, what we know that is nothing that anyone at a newspaper thinks can take away what we have accomplished on the floor this year.”
And, that said, whether ranked or unranked, the Tigers will have a chance to prove their metal in the coming weeks. They finish the season with a game at Howells-Dodge and the regular season finale at home against Class C-1, No. 7 Fort Calhoun. In the sub-district, No. 2 Columbus Scotus (also 19-1) looms.
The surprise season for the Tigers has been buoyed by depth. Led by junior Jake Wietfeld who averages 20.9 points and 8.2 rebounds, NBC goes 10 players deep on their bench which gives Baehr plenty of flexibility.
Matt Ortmeier and Jake Cleveringa each average 7.9 points per game, with Ortmeier following Wietfeld on the team with a 7.2 rebounds per game average. In the post, 6-8 Hunter Oerman provides 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.
“Jake and Matt have been three year starters,” Baehr said. “Jake is a kid who provides all those intangibles. He’s a good defender and rebounder and is second on the team in assists.
“Matt kind of does all those little things you need for your team to be successful.”
In Oerman, the Tiger have a basket defender, Baehr said. “We don’t have to help him much. He is a big presence for us at the rim.”
Cleveringa, a transfer from Cedar Bluffs, has been a “huge addition,” the coach said. “He gives us that legitimate third scorer and has played well for us.”
Baehr might be most proud, however, of his point guard. Senior Dylan Emmanuel averages 1.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and is second on the team in assists.
“He is a great leader for us,” Baehr said. “He is a hard working defensive guy and we always get him on the other team’s point guard. He provides good ball pressure. And he’s a great kid.”
And then there is the bench, which is averaging nearly 16 points per game. They allow, Baehr said, the Tigers to use many different lineups.
“We like to look at the other team and see if we can find a weakness,” Baehr said. “Our bench allows us to apply a little more pressure and those guys just give us great minutes.”
Freshman Tanner Wietfeld – Jake’s brother – averages 6.3 points and Nathan Boyce, averages 3.4 points per game. Boyce scored eight in the conference final game.
It all adds up to one of the best NBC teams in quite awhile. One that hopes to be playing in March, or at least laying the foundation to get there.
“Our kids are really excited for what we have ahead of us,” Baehr said. “We know there won’t be any gimmes the rest of the way. We’ll be playing good teams who are well coached.”
Let’s Rewind
No. 8 Westside girls slip past No. 3 Millard West – NE Prep Zone
Milford starts hot, defeats Fillmore Central for SNC Title – York News Times
Winnebago 3-peats at Lewis & Clark Conference – Norfolk Daily News
