Lincoln Christian and NBC have been 1-2 all season, but careful with penciling those two in the final right away.
Lincoln Christian (21-3) vs. Malcolm (19-6)
About the Crusaders:Â A very balanced team, Christian is looking to reach the state semifinals for a sixth straight year.
About the Clippers: They have no seniors on the roster and two freshmen — PG Alyssa Fortik and C Emma Brown — in the starting lineup.
St. Paul (23-2) vs. Wahoo (18-7)
About the Wildcats:Â They're led by the Poppert sisters, Olivia and Brooke, and are making their first state appearance since 1993.
About the Warriors:Â They had to replace four starters, but found their groove after a 6-4 start. PG Kendal Brigham is their only senior.
Chadron (23-2) vs. Adams Central (16-10)
About the Cardinals:Â They have six seniors on the roster and enter state on a nine-game winning streak.
About the Patriots: They were prepared by a tough schedule and got healthier down the stretch — a dangerous combination for their foes at state.
North Bend Central (24-2) vs. West Point-Beemer (23-5)
About the Tigers:Â They're a balanced team, with five players averaging 7.1 points or more and no one averaging more than 10.7; a lengthy team, too.
About the Cadets:Â After starting 2-2, they won 21 of their next 24 games. The young team is making its second straight state appearance.
Players to watch
Olivia Hollenbeck, Lincoln Christian, sr.:Â The 6-foot-3 center and all-stater (14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) can be hard to slow down. She's also a good passer.
Alyssa Fortik, Malcolm, fr.:Â She's a spark plug for the Clippers, leading them in scoring (12.5 ppg), steals (81) and assists (67).
Kendal Brigham, Wahoo, sr.:Â The first-team all-stater has increased her offensive output (17.4 ppg) while also getting her teammates greatly involved.
Brooke Poppert, St. Paul, sr.:Â Also a standout volleyball player, the 5-11 forward leads the team in scoring (19 ppg), and assists (6.3 apg).
Shea Bailey, Chadron, sr.:Â The 5-9 guard can affect games in many ways, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3.0 assists per game.
Jessica Babcock, Adams Central, so.:Â The 5-7 guard averages 9.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game; also leads team in assists and steals.
Lauren Emanuel, North Bend Central, sr.:Â The 6-1 senior is one of the more athletic post players in the state; averages 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds.
Sidney Swanson, West Point-Beemer, jr.:Â One of the top point guards in the state. She's a dominant scorer (20.3), but also a great distributor (84 assists) and defender (110 steals).
By the numbers
2: Teams in the field with no seniors on their rosters — Malcolm and West Point Beemer.
5: Five teams — Lincoln Christian, Wahoo, Adams Central, North Bend Central and West Point-Beemer — returning to state.
58-3:Â Combined record by the St. Paul volleyball and girls basketball teams this school year.
Outlook
There are some great first-round matchups in C-1, starting with No. 2 North Bend Central and No. 5 West Point-Beemer. Adams Central-Chadron could be a battle, too. Lincoln Christian and NBC have been 1-2 all season, but careful with penciling those two in the final right away. West Point-Beemer may be playing better than any team right now, St. Paul has looked strong from Day 1, and Wahoo has found its stride. Malcolm, which tested Lincoln Christian in the subdistrict final, is picking up momentum, too. The first day, survival day, will be very telling.