After winning a state championship last season, the varsity boys basketball team is headed back to the state tournament. This year’s run has extra meaning, as it marks the final season for head Coach Joel Hueser, a so-called “Blue Apple” teacher who has been at Papio South since the school first opened in 2003. 

For Hueser, the message to his team heading into the tournament has been simple: appreciate the opportunity.

“It’s been a blessing to have 10 more days to play in March. There are so many teams that don’t have that opportunity,” Hueser said. “We’ve been blessed not only to do it this year, but last year; it was something that we wanted to savor.”

Assistant Coach Jim Simpson said that mindset helped keep the team focused.

“We talked a lot about gratitude for the opportunity to continue this season and play together,” Simpson said. “With Coach Hueser retiring, any opportunity that we have to continue this season has been great.”

The Titans returned to the tournament despite losing several key seniors from last year’s championship team. Many players who saw limited varsity minutes last season stepped into larger roles this year.

“There are three starters on this team that played on JV last year,” Simpson said. “They were able to make that jump, along with having some great leadership coming back from that team with senior Grant Beckenhauer and junior Levi Webb.” 

Senior Kallan Wilson said the team had to quickly adjust after losing experienced players.

“Losing the guys we had last year had a lot of us JV kids step up into bigger roles,” Wilson said. “The only returner that we had that played quality minutes was Levi [Webb], so all of us stepped up into a role that had to be filled and exceeded that role and made it back to state.”

Webb said the team proved many people wrong.

“After losing all of the guys we had last year, people thought we wouldn’t even crack the top 10,” Webb said. “Us being in this position shows that we are not done yet.”

Assistant Coach Joe Cooley said returning to the state tournament after winning a championship would never be easy.

“First thing is how hard it is to go back to the tournament after winning a state championship, but a lot of guys haven’t really done that before,” Cooley said. “They work their tails off in the offseason to keep the standard of the program up.”

Another addition helping the Titans prepare this season was the January opening of the school’s new Southside flex room, which players said made watching film easier. 

“That place is awesome,” Wilson said. “We watch film in there because it has a huge screen, and it is a great way to fit everyone in.”

Webb said the room helped the team break down film more effectively.

“I feel like we learn a lot more because of the big screen, … it helps us get ready for game days,” Webb said.

For many players, the season has been about finishing strong for Coach Hueser. Hueser has spent decades building the Titans’ basketball program, developing strong relationships with players and coaches.

“I have known Coach Hueser since I was in third grade,” senior Connor Falkinburg said. “I have learned a lot from him, especially on the shooting side – he is an incredible shooting coach. Outside of basketball, many of my life lessons I have learned from him.”

Beckenhauer said that Hueser’s focus on relationships helped shaped the program’s culture.

“Coach Hueser is a big connection guy,” Beckenhauer said. “He has been here since the school has opened, and he has built this team’s culture from the ground up.”

Cooley said, personally, Hueser’s influence had helped him become the coach he is today.

“Hueser is Papio South basketball,” Cooley said. “He is on top of his game. He has been coaching for 35 years, and he continues to get better and better. … It’s so remarkable.”

Simpson also praised Hueser’s influence both on and off the court.

“He has taught me so much as a human being and as a coach,” Simpson said. “… Titan basketball has been set to a standard that we continue to honor.”

As the Titans prepared for Wednesday’s state tournament matchup against Creighton Prep at 7:45 p.m. in Pinnacle Bank Arena, the team’s goals remained clear.

“The goal is to win state,” Falkinburg said. “We are going to take it one game at a time.”

For the seniors, another championship would be the perfect ending.

“It would mean the world, not only for me, but for the team and coaches to win a state championship in Hueser’s last year,” Beckenhauer said. “All of the work they put in for us, outside of practice, and they really love this team.”

For Hueser, the chance to continue the season alongside Titan nation and his players is something he won’t take for granted.

“They matter,” Hueser said. “We had great crowds during districts on Saturday [Feb. 28] and Monday [March 2]. The energy in that gym was through the roof, and that was what enabled these guys to dig down deep and get back to take the lead, and I loved it. Even more significant knowing it’s my last year: You want to get everything out you can this last season, because when it’s over, it’s over. I am very grateful.”