Nebraska's Top 10 boys basketball games for December

Video: David Wingett's highlights vs. Ponca High School
Watch the Winnebago center from 2015 action as he prepares his senior season.

While many of Nebraska's boys basketball programs are sure to ease into their 2016-17 schedules, produce chemistry and then build momentum down the stretch in an attempt to be playing their best basketball in February and March, plenty of the Cornhusker State's boys basketball programs will be going full steam ahead in the winter sports season's first month.

We have spent the last few days looking over many of the Nebraska boys basketball schedules and came up with our Top 10 boys basketball games for December.


1. Winnebago @ Omaha Central (Omaha), Dec. 22
Following the past two boys basketball seasons, Winnebago has partaken in some big time postseason basketball stakes in Lincoln. Now, they get to play in Omaha, and on television against a big-time foe. David Wingett meet Isaiah Poor Bear Chandler and Roman Behrens.

2. Douglas (Wyo.) @ Scottsbluff, Dec. 20
Both of these basketball teams battled into the championship game of their respective classifications in their respective states. Now they turn their attention to each other. Douglas will be led by returning all-state selectees Eric Jamerman and Ty Larson as well as all conference choice Tyrel Leman. Dru Kuxhausen returns following an all-state season in which he averaged 21.9 points a game.

3. Bishop Neumann (Wahoo) @ St. Cecilia (Hastings.), Dec. 3
While Bishop Neumann was in the midst of its state championship basketball tussle with Adams Central last March, St. Cecilia was focusing on its championship foe. Both schools won their battles at the Devaney Center and were crowned champion. Now they prepare for a tussle with each other. First team all-state honorees Jaxon Simons and Noah Vedral return for their senior seasons after combining for about 30 points an outing. Trey Asher and Jack Thompson, who scored three points each in the championship game, are Kevin Asher's top returning scorers from that contest.

4. Lourdes Central Catholic (Nebraska City) @ Parkview Christian (Lincoln), Dec. 22
Lourdes Central Catholic, Class D1's defending state champion, travels to Lincoln to battle Class D2's fourth place team in 2015-16 in this small school giant of a contest. First team all-state honoree Hayden Miller will lead the Knights into battle against Parkview Christian's Henry Tanksley and Nosa Iyagbaye.

5. Norfolk @ Omaha South (Omaha), Dec. 22
The Class A defending state champion Packers lost a fine senior class a year ago, but return arguably the best prep basketball player in Nebraska in Aguek Arop. Logan Strom will take the court once again for the Panthers. Two of Nebraska's best on the court at the same time. 6. Millard West (Omaha) @ Millard South (Omaha), Dec. 17
These two cross town rivals just take turns knocking each other off. In fact, over the last 10 seasons these two programs have split them 5-5. Bill Morrison guided the Wildcats to the state basketball tournament a year ago where they drew state champion Omaha South in opening round action and bowed out of the state tournament. Simon Hay and Shae Wyatt are back for Morrison after averaging 24 points a night between them. Jaxon Harre returns for Millard South.

7. Crete @ Beatrice, Dec. 8
Could another triple overtime thriller be on tap in this one? Beatrice missed a shot at the buzzer in the third extra period to fall to the Cardinals 64-63 at Crete a year ago. Now it's Beatrice's turn to host. Dalton Hartig and Tilden Bardsley are Tyler Struck's returning leading scorers for Beatrice, while Crete will counter with Carter Kent, Rhett Harms and Wyatt Bodfield.

8. St. Francis (Humphrey) @ Riverside (Cedar Rapids), Dec. 8
Kyle Wemhoff hit a last second three-pointer with about 4-seconds left in St. Francis' 40-39 Class D2 state basketball semifinal win over Riverside last March. The Chargers, who return first team all-stater Noah Valasek, have not forgotten. St. Francis? The Flyers lost a lot of senior leadership from a year ago, however, they just seem to reload every year.

9. Amherst @ Kenesaw, Dec. 13
Both of these fine basketball programs battled their way to 20-win basketball seasons and into the state basketball tournament a year ago. And both clubs return plenty of help to make another deep postseason run. For now, however, Kenesaw has its sites set on flipping a 76-44 loss to the Broncos a year ago, while Amherst hopes for another unbeaten regular season. All-State performer Trevor Adelung and Holden Eckhout are in charge for Amherst coach Bill Giffin. Jack Einrem will rely on Tyson Burr and Will Gallagher to get the job done.

10. Giltner @ High Plains (Polk), Dec. 2
These two small school basketball powers have won three state basketball championships between then in the last six years, and both played their way into the state basketball tournament a year ago. Giltner lost 50-34 to the Storm last December. Josh Hinrichs and Alex Goracke return for Matt Drew, while second team all-state selection Thomas Young hopes to keep High Plains Community rolling along.