I am the high school sports editor and golf editor for the Omaha World-Herald. Look for my weekly column on Omaha history in the Sunday OWH Living section.
You know, these medical expert:s -- including the UNMC doctor chairing the committee -- had two football games to study: the Nebraska and Kansas Shrine Bowls. Have any COVID cases come from playing either one? Just one case would have been trumpeted as an "I told you so."
Good news for high school athletes in the updated youth sports rules in the state:
Schools are permitted to open weight rooms for use by all student-athletes as long as they follow same guidelines as fitness centers and gyms.
#nebpreps
Hey
@MLB
: Omaha has its lowest COVID ventilator use (eight) since April 6. Airport is three miles from the ballpark. Plenty of hotels with restaurants within 5 minutes walk of the park. What else do you need to bring the
@BlueJays
to a safe spot for their games?
@OWHsports
Sources: The Jays' situation remains in a state of flux: the team, MLB has not received approval from Pennsylvania to use Pittsburgh as its home park. MLB has been in communication with Pa. Governor's Office. Jays might need another alternative.
Jordyn Bahl comes home to play for NU.
Britt Prince is staying and playing for NU.
Matt Ruhle doing better than ex-coaches in getting top instate kids to play for NU.
But the state's top golfers aren't playing for the U because of subpar facilities. Needs to change.
#nebpreps
BREAKING -- Millard North boys basketball coach Tim Cannon announced his retirement this afternoon. The Mustangs are back-to-back Class A state champions.
@OWHsports
#nebpreps
I'm going to respectfully disagree with
@GovRicketts
-- who says it's OK to be 6 feet apart in a closed-environment gym but discourages golf that spreads golfers walking or riding one to a cart over hundreds of yards outdoors. HUGE difference in social distancing.
Today's Douglas County Health Dept. report: positive cases in the county were 559 in the past week, 841 the week before. That translates to a 33.5% decrease.
Mike Patterson just got a DM asking if there is a way for the smaller schools to torpedo the Class A shot clock. How small-minded. Isn't 8 minutes of scoreless basketball in OTs of a district final enough to show it is needed in A and wanted by A? Let them have it.
#nebpreps
Sad news for the Burke High community: Retired coach Larry Jacobsen passed away Thursday in hospice care, one day after the announcement that the field at Burke Stadium would carry his name. Condolences go out to his wife, Judy, their daughters and families.
@OWHsports
It's early in the season, remember, but this is encouraging news. It also backs up the results (zero cases) from the Nebraska and Kansas Shrine all-star games in July.
#nebpreps
No cases of COVID-19 transmitted through playing in high school football games have been reported to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
@stuOWH
has more:
Perspective from a coach: "I think Nebraska is unique, especially central and western NE, in that we are naturally social distanced. Even if Omaha, Lincoln and GI decide they can't play, that should not mean the small western schools have to give up their season.
#nebpreps
Kansas-bound Luke Kluver of Norfolk shot the first 61 in state high school boys golf history, winning District A-1 at Fremont Golf Club.
Kluver got to 10-under on the par-71 course after 15 holes on eight birdies and an eagle 3 on the 8th hole, then parred in.
#nebpreps
When high schools resume workouts in contact sports next week, the Nebraska School Activities Association has no new rules that apply.
“What you did last summer is legal beginning July 1,” NSAA Executive Director Jay Bellar said Tuesday.
@owhsports
So glad the NSAA honored former OWH prep guru Larry Porter. Former OWH sports editor Steve Sinclair is at far left, then Mike Patterson, Larry and yours truly.
@OWHsports
#nebpreps
Effective immediately NSAA member schools may hold open gyms for basketball, football, soccer, and wrestling with the following restrictions:
Individual skills and workouts only
No physical contact with others
No sharing of equipment
No grouping of students.
#nebpreps
Two observations this afternoon:
1. Let's continue to find ways to say yes -- safely, of course -- faster than finding ways to say no.
2. Even with STL and Miami cases, MLB has 28 teams w/o in-season COVID cases in the middle of its 3rd week back. That's 93.3%. That's good.
I greatly appreciate the honor from Battle and Dave Felici. Thank you again.
When Chucky presented the award, I told him it was a role reversal -- usually I was the one congratulating him!
Chucky Hepburn presents Omaha World Herald High School Sports Editor Stu Pospisil the recognition award at the 2022 Battle High School All-Star Basketball Game. Stu has been at the WH for 38 years. He is an Icon in Ne High School Sports
@stuOWH
@ChuckyHepburn
Ex-Husker, Ex-Kearney High and Ex-Centennial High kicker Brett Maher first in NFL history with three 60+ field goals. One of the other two with two such boots is Ex-Mav, Ex-Lincoln Pius X kicker Greg Zuerlein. Both were All-Nebraska kickers.
@OWHsports
Only immediate family will be allowed to attend the boys state tournament, per Lincoln officials. Tournament schedule remains on and logistics to be figured out.
#nebpreps
@OWHnews
Unofficial Class B district-final pairings:
16-Elkhorn at 1-Pius
15-Blair at 2-Aurora
14-Norris at 3-Roncalli
13-Lexington at 4-Skutt
12-Platteview at 5-York
11-Scottsbluff at 6-Seward
10-Hastings at 7-Bennington
9-Alliance at 8-Mount Michael
#nebpreps
State volleyball will be played in its entirety at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Three classes on Wednesday, other three on Thursday, semifinals on Friday, finals on Saturday.
#nebpreps
Class A is getting the 35-second shot clock as a pilot program for the 2022-23 season. All schools plan to install clocks. The vote was 5-3:
For: District 1, 1, 2, 2, 4,
Against: District 3, 5, 6
#nebpreps
BREAKING: The
@pinnbankgolf
is going to be the final event of the next five Korn Ferry Tour regular seasons, raise its purse to $750,000 and be shown on the Golf Channel. Dates in 2021: Aug. 9-15
@OWHsports
Nebraska and other states could be getting a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball in 2022-23. The national governing body chose not to adopt a national rule, but will not penalize states for adding the shot clock.
@owhsports
#nebpreps
Why do I live in Howells? We asked for help in clearing snow off the field, and 20 people from the community with 15 snowblowers show up on a Tuesday and every football player!
#blessed
#nebpreps
#howellsdodge
#burwell
Just got a chance to review Chucky Hepburn's stats line from last night:
23 points, all after halftime
9 assists
ZERO turnovers
7 rebounds
4 steals.
For teams trading baskets/blows, you tell me on here what tops BW-Prep all-time. I'd like your thoughts.
#nebpreps
The NSAA has gotten the waiver from the National Federation for the Metro Conference Holiday Tournament to use a 35-second shot clock as an experiment this season at Baxter Arena.
It will be monitored closely and intently by all!
#nebpreps
NSAA ED Jay Bellar has asked the National Federation for a waiver for the Metro Conference to use a shot clock for this year's girls and boys basketball tournament at Baxter Arena as an experiment. Impact will be tracked statistically.
#nebpreps
I think the official words in the call I got at 10 a.m. today are “reduction in force.”
✌🏼to this place. Specifically the ones that work their tails off behind the scenes that no one knows. I’m grateful for the opportunity and to know you all.
To the Millard South and Bellevue West band communities, a deep apology for my initial tweet Friday for questioning the bands' whereabouts for the state tourney. Being selected to play for the state bandmasters convention (long held on this weekend) is a high honor.
#nebpreps
Final: Mount Michael, on an emotional night, beats Omaha Skutt 48-44. MM's Kyle Pelan lost his father, 1989 Burke graduate Mark Pelan, unexpectedly this week.
#nebpreps
Fort Calhoun hasn't lost a game at state since 1922! The Pioneers defeat C-1 top-seed Wahoo 54-52 on Austin Welchert's 3 with 5.5 seconds left.
#nebpreps
Carson Noecker of Hartington-Newcastle High School is the state's Gatorade boys cross country runner of the year.
The senior won the all-class gold medal at the state meet for the second time in three years, and is the first boy to win his class all four years.
#nebpreps
Millard North will play IMG Academy in final game of the
@HHoopsClassic
on Feb. 15. You cannot believe how much work it took Tino Martinez to get IMG booked.
@OWHsports
#nebpreps
Just learned that retired Omaha Central girls basketball coach Paul Semrad has passed away. Coached the likes of Maurtice Ivy and Jessica Haynes to state titles in 1983 and 84. Our thoughts are with the Semrad family.
#nebpreps
Former Omaha Creighton Prep basketball coach Bro. Mike Wilmot died this morning. He was living in his hometown of Milwaukee in retirement. Prayers to the Prep and Roncalli communities.
#nebpreps
This will be interesting: Gov. Ricketts' new DHM, as the state improves from orange to yellow in restrictions, says "Fan attendance at extracurricular activities — both school and club — is no longer limited to household members of participants." What will schools do?
#nebpreps
Omaha Creighton Prep football has gone into quarantine. Cannot play Thursday TV game with Bellevue West. West is looking for a replacement game.
#nebpreps