The Titan varsity boys basketball team made history this month, clinching the school’s first-ever state championship with a thrilling 61-58 victory over Omaha Westside on March 15 at Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena. The team’s journey to this pinnacle of high school basketball was filled with determination, resilience and unity, culminating in a championship win that solidified the Titans as a legendary force in the school’s athletic history.
On their way to unforgettable success, the Titans beat the Grand Island Islanders, 69-36, in district finals at home on March 3, punching their ticket to state. At Pinnacle, they avenged themselves with a win against the Papillion-La Vista Monarchs, 76-58, in the quarterfinals after the cross-town rival handed the team a rare regular-season loss, 62-52, on Jan. 10.
In the state semifinals, Titans beat the Millard North Mustangs, 61-57, before their final victory against the Westside Warriors – both teams they had faced and beaten twice in the regular season. The Titans finished with a 26-3 record overall.
Head Coach Joel Hueser, who, along with Assistant Coaches Joe Cooley and Jim Simpson, built this program from the ground up, expressed deep gratitude for the win.
“Very grateful,” Hueser said. “For so long, Coach Simpson, Coach Cooley and I, along with the rest of the staff, have poured hours of hard work into making this team competitive. For it to finally happen, I’m just grateful.”
The team’s top scorer, senior forward and co-captain Bryson Bahl, said the significance reached far beyond this season. “It’s awesome,” Bahl said, thinking of “all the people in the past who’ve made state and came up short of winning a game.”
“We were the first team [in school history] to win a game in state, and much less getting the first title in 22 years,” said Bahl, who soon afterward was named Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, and Nebraska MaxPreps High School Basketball Player of the Year.
For the team, this felt like more than just a win; it felt like a testament to their dedication.
Jayden Herrera, another senior forward and co-captain, said the team pushed itself to the end. “We went through that grind all season,” Herrera said. “We were working all year, and it was really great to come out as champs.”
The title cemented the team’s place in school history.
“Knowing that our names will always be talked about as the first team to win a state championship is special,” said sophomore starter Levi Webb, a shooting guard. “We worked as a team and pushed hard to achieve that goal.”
Assistant Coach Cooley, who previously had a part in the school’s first baseball championship in 2010, said he felt a profound sense of unity around this championship. “It feels great,” Cooley said. “There was so much support, from the administrators, students, teachers, coaches and random community members that loved being a part of this journey. That is what made it so special.”
The student section, known as the Black Hole, was an ever-present force behind the team during its state tournament run.
“It was phenomenal,” Coach Hueser recalled. “Every game, the Black Hole was behind our bench. The energy from the pep band, cheerleaders, and Sapphire dance team created an atmosphere that fueled us to play our best.”
Bahl said he also noticed the effect. “The parents and students really helped us, especially during the state tournament,” he said. “Their support gave us the energy to push through and stay focused on the game.”
In return, the team did not disappoint. Whether it was the pressure of a tight game or the challenge of playing against top-tier competition, the Titans rose to the occasion.
Brady Alderson, a junior shooting guard, credited the fans for helping the team through close moments.
“It definitely helped us late in the games,” Alderson said. “Against Westside and Millard North, having the students and parents there gave us the energy to keep going.”
Within the team, that energy powered an even stronger bond. “The chemistry was huge,” Cooley said. “The team was so close. We had a lot of seniors, but we had a group of guys who understood what it meant to play for each other.”
That sense of togetherness was evident throughout the season, especially when adversity struck. Hueser highlighted the team’s ability to overcome challenges, referencing the heartbreak of last year’s loss in district finals. “We used the term ‘crucible’ after last year’s match against Omaha North. For these guys to come together, even after that defeat, and forge this championship team was incredible,” Hueser said.
For the seniors, the win marked the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. “It’s the best feeling in the world,” Herrera said. “It’s never been done, and doing it with these guys makes it even better.”
As the only starting sophomore, Webb reflected on the impact the championship would have on the school’s future. “We made school history,” Webb said. “We did it with a great group of guys, and it’s something we’ll always remember.”
For Coach Simpson, the win was payoff for many years of preparation. “It’s incredible. This school has been open for 22 years, and this is our first title,” Simpson said. “It was better than I could have imagined, and the people we had to do it with made it even more special.”
The Titans’ story is one of resilience, unity and perseverance. They not only made history by winning their first state basketball title, but they also set a benchmark for future generations. Their victory will forever be etched in the school’s legacy.
For this team, the road to a state championship may have been long, but they can now proudly say that their names will always be remembered as the first to bring home the title.
