Former high school hoopsters will hit the hardwood for one last time before moving on to continue their educations as Southeast Community College-Beatrice will host its 19th-annual all-star boys basketball game Saturday.
Boys action will begin at 8 p.m. at the Truman Center on the SCC-Beatrice Campus, with the East All-Stars taking on the West. SCC will also host a girls basketball all-star game at 6 p.m., also at the Truman Center.
Each year, some of the top area players are selected to compete in the all-star games.
Recently graduated seniors are nominated for their respective all-star squads by their high school coaches and are then screened by a committee made of the current all-star coaching staff and previous all-star coaches.
Coaches for this year's all-star squads are Don Hogue of Falls City, who will coach the East squad assisted by Mark Ritchie of Nebraska City, and Jesse Gronemeyer of DeWitt Tri County, who will coach the West team assisted by Ryan Hogue of Deshler.
Once nominated players are screened, they are sent invitations to participate in the event.
Schools, which can be represented on the all-star team, lie inside an area with boundaries of U.S. Highway 81 to the west, Nebraska Highway 2 and 6 to the north, the Missouri River to the east and the Nebraska-Kansas border to the south.
More than 80 schools in all were invited to nominate players.
Boys Basketball
East All-Stars
Josh Taylor, Firth Norris, son of Dale and Kristin Taylor, plans to attend Dordt College and major in mechanical engineering. His high school coach was Curt Carlson.
Michael Olberding, Falls City Sacred Heart, son of Mike and Lisa Olberding, plans to attend Benedictine College and major in athletic training. His high school coach was Doug Goltz.
Monte Ritchie, Nebraska City, son of Mark and Mary Ritchie, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in education. His high school coach was Mark Ritchie.
Tyler Derby, Pawnee City, son of Mark and Jann Derby, plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University and major in sports marketing. His high school coach was Mark Leonard.
Taylor Bartels, Tecumseh, son of Nathan and Jolene Bartels, plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University and major in biology. His high school coach was Chris Hutt.
Scott Hrabik, Syracuse, son of Mark and Deb Hrabik, plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University and major in physics. His high school coach was Mark Hrabik.
Kasey Huppert, Falls City, son of Dan and Sherry Huppert, plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University. His high school coach was Don Hogue.
Justin Yates, Adams Freeman, son of Mike and Shirley Yates, plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University and major in psychology. His high school coach was Jim McLaughlin.
Austin Landwehr, Syracuse, son of Randy and Deb Landwehr, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in business administration. His high school coach was Mark Hrabik.
Jacob Bartek, Falls City, son of Tom and Kathy Bartek, plans to attend Doane College and major in biology. His high school coach was Don Hogue.
Tim Sisco, Lewiston, son of Tom and Anita Sisco, plans to attend Southeast Community College-Beatrice and major in agri-business. His high school coach was Matt Rudloff.
Jim Lance, Nebraska City Lourdes, son of Larry and Deb Lance, plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University. His high school coach was Joe Tynon.
West All-Stars
Brent Menke, Beatrice, son of Steve and Wendy Menke, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in sports marketing. His high school coach was Jim Weeks.
Tyler Pieper, DeWitt Tri County, son of Steve and Jayne Pieper, plans to attend Southeast Community College-Beatrice and major in business administration. His high school coach was Jesse Gronemeyer.
Logan Oliva, Wilber-Clatonia, son of Doug and Judi Oliva, plans to attend Arizona State University and major in sports broadcasting. His high school coach was Tim Barda.
Shad Siebrandt, DeWitt Tri County, son of Jamie and Jill Kuzelka, and Dave and Pam Siebrandt, plans to attend Southeast Community College-Beatrice and major in engineering and drafting. His high school coach was Jesse Gronemeyer.
Jake Bergen, Sutton, son of Max and Julie Bergen, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in business. His high school coach was Steve Spongberg.
Evan Bodtke, York, son of Duane and Deb Bodtke, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in education-elementary secondary. His high school coach was Dan Malleck.
Trey Simpson, Fairbury, son of Randy and Cara Simpson, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in business administration. His high school coach was Rick Bell.
Tyler Weatherholt, Seward, son of Rick and Bobbie Weatherholt, plans to attend Doane College. His high school coach was Jim Placke.
Landon Freitag, Deshler, son of Bruce and Gina Freitag, plans to attend Doane College. His high school coach was Ryan Hogue.
Dexter Spitsnogle, Diller-Odell, son of Earl and Carmen Spitsnogle, plans to major in engineering. His high school coach was Eric McMurray.
Cuyler Henry, Deshler, son of Jon and Denise Henry, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His high school coach was Ryan Hogue.
Sam Blake, Utica-Centennial, son of Marilyn Blake, plans to attend Wayne State College. His high school coach was Dave Hiebner.