Stars of the North Central Nebraska All-Star Basketball Game Ready for May 2026 Showcase
On a warm spring evening in late May, the courts of North Central Nebraska will come alive as the region’s top graduating seniors take the floor for the All-Star basketball showcase. The games, scheduled for May 29, 2026, bring together boys and girls teams composed of the best players from a dozen participating schools.
The schedule promises a tightly contested girls' matchup at 5 p.m., followed by a 3-point contest that pits the rising stars against one another, and will close with the boys' all-star game that wraps up the night. The format is designed to give each athlete a final stage to display skill, teamwork and the spirit of competition before they move on to the next chapter of their lives.
Leading the squads are experienced mentors who have shaped these players throughout their high school careers. Kobe Lade, head coach of the NCN Girl’s White Team, will guide his roster drawn from Battle Creek, Boyd County, Niobrara/Verdigre, O’Neill, Santee, St. Mary’s and Summerland. Randy Bilstein, at the helm of the NCN Girl’s Black Team, will lead athletes from CWC, Elkhorn Valley, EPPJ, North Central, O’Neill, Plainview and West Holt. On the boys' side, Matt Euse of EPPJ will coach the NCN Boy’s White Team, while Derric Werner of Elkhorn Valley will direct the NCN Boys Black Team, a group that includes talent from Ainsworth, Battle Creek, Bloomfield, Elkhorn Valley, O’Neill, Riverside, Wausa and West Holt.
The event is more than a series of games; it is a community celebration. Local radio station KBRX, whose website can be found at kbrx.com, has expressed enthusiasm about broadcasting the night’s action and spotlighting the athletes who embody the region’s dedication to sport and teamwork.
As the final buzzer approaches, the players share a common excitement for what lies ahead. Whether heading to college, vocational training or other pursuits, they carry with them the lessons learned on the court and the support of fans who have cheered them through every season.