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LINCOLN — The 2026 Nebraska Class D2 boys state basketball tournament brings together a field that blends traditional small-school powers with several teams built around high-scoring guards.
Several of the teams arriving in Lincoln feature players capable of taking over games oensively.
In fact, six players in this year’s tournament are averaging more than 15 points per game.
Pleasanton senior Brennan Lindner enters the tournament as the top scorer in the field. Lindner averaged 22 points per game during the regular season and helped lead Pleasanton into the state bracket.
Right behind him is O’Neill St. Mary’s standout Ben Barlow, who averaged 18.9 points per game.
Barlow has been the oensive engine for the Cardinals and will be one of the most closely watched players in Lincoln.
Deshler’s Easton Nash (16.9 ppg) and Elgin Public/Pope John’s Jarek Erickson (16.8 ppg) also rank among the top scorers in the tournament.
Wynot’s Devin Brummer is another player capable of putting up big numbers. The Blue Devils senior averaged 16.2 points per game this season and leads one of the most balanced teams in the field.
Falls City Sacred Heart, meanwhile, arrives with impressive scoring depth. The Irish feature three players among the tournament’s top scorers — Cole Taft, Bo Fletcher and Brenden Lemerond — giving Sacred Heart multiple oensive options.
Guardian Angels Central Catholic’s Luke Guenther also enters the tournament averaging more than 16 points per game.
While scoring often grabs the headlines in March, defense and rebounding frequently decide state tournament games. Teams that can control tempo, limit second chances and handle pressure will have the best chance to survive the three-day grind of the state tournament.
As always in Class D2, matchups and momentum can quickly reshape the bracket. With several teams featuring explosive oensive players, should expect plenty of high-energy games as the quest for the state championship unfolds in Lincoln.
