Ben Limback knows what it's like to win a regular-season men's basketball conference title for Concordia.
Limback was a player for the Bulldogs in 1996 when they last won the league title, back when they competed in the NIAC. Concordia has been in the GPAC since 2000, and with a month left in the regular season, it's in a position to win that elusive title.
"Our goal is to win the GPAC," said Limback, in his ninth season as Concordia's coach. "We have a lot of work to do, but it's something this team feels it can accomplish."
Concordia, ranked 25th in the NAIA poll, took a huge step in that direction Saturday when it completed a season sweep of No. 11 Jamestown with an 82-79 road win. That win improved the Bulldogs to 9-3 in league play, a half-game behind leader Briar Cliff. Northwestern is one game back, Morningside two back and Jamestown three back.
"All these teams are capable of rattling off a run," said Limback, whose team has the program's best 20-game record (16-4) since 2005. "(In November) I told the guys I truly believe the winner of the league could have four or five losses when it's all said and done."
People are also reading…
Concordia is in the middle of a crucial stretch as it hosts Morningside on Wednesday and goes to Northwestern on Saturday.
Limback can lean on an experienced group to navigate Concordia's course. Fourth-year players Carter Kent (17.6 points, 3.5 assists per game), Justin Wiersema (12.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Gage Smith (11.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) are multiyear starters, while second-year freshman Noah Schutte from Laurel is having a breakout season by averaging 13.3 points.
Kent, a left-handed guard from Crete, once again has been the team leader. He's started 110 of his 111 career games, averaged in double figures all four seasons and needs three points to reach 1,500. His 17.6 average this season is a career best.
"Carter Kent has been really special as of late. He's made some big plays for us down the stretch," Concordia coach Ben Limback said. "He's in that rhythm. I've been really proud how he's adjusted to the different defenses thrown at him this year."
Kent scored 26 at Jamestown, including 13 in the final 6:15 after the game was tied 67-67. Kent shoots 88.2% from the foul line, and he went 4 of 4 in the final 35 seconds.
"Carter Kent has been really special as of late. He's made some big plays for us down the stretch," Limback said. "He's in that rhythm. I've been really proud how he's adjusted to the different defenses thrown at him this year."
On Wednesday, Concordia tries to avenge a 79-77 December loss to Morningside. Concordia led that game by five with 2:30 left, but the Mustangs won it at the buzzer on a basket by Gretna graduate Trey Brown.
The World-Herald's Still Spinnin' series
An introduction into your crash course of Nebraska's basketball history
The World-Herald launched the “Still Spinnin',” a periodic series that highlights the tales of Nebraska’s basketball history. Our states hoops heritage. Read more.
From humble Nebraska beginnings to basketball legend, meet Jerry Krause
This is one of my favorite interviews, and two weeks ago I didn’t think it would ever happen., writes Tom Shatel. Meet basketball legend Jerry Krause, who hails from Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. Read more.
Hoop-It-Up could get heated, but it brought Omaha's basketball community together
During its Omaha heyday in the mid-1990s, Hoop-It-Up had 1,900 teams playing on 150 courts. Read more.
Woolridge's and Strickland's rivalry ended in chase for Class A scoring record
For four years, Andre Woolridge and Erick Strickland matched bucket-for-bucket in high school gyms across the Metro, raising the state’s basketball profile on a national scale. Read more.
A now-closed Wahoo college once had nation's best women's basketball team
A now-closed Wahoo college once had the nation's best women's basketball team, and their skill led to China... in the middle of the Cold War. Read more.
Forrest Roper built a girls basketball dynasty, but his impact was so much more
Forrest Roper was a lot of things, but in certain corners of this city, he's defined most as a trailblazer for women's athletics in Omaha. Read more.
No one could stop Omaha Central's basketball machine, led by high school rock stars
Omaha Central’s remarkable run — seven Class A titles in eight seasons — barely qualifies as “history.” It was just 2013. But regardless of your generation, you’ve never seen anything like it in Omaha. Read more.
From an Olympian's shoes to Air Jordan, history of the dunk in Nebraska runs deep
Way before Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan, shoes had a big role in bringing the slam dunk to Nebraska high school basketball. Read more.
Another Big Ben — Benoit — once towered for Creighton, but was he appreciated?
Former Jays standout Benoit Benjamin is glad he attended Creighton, but feels unappreciated. We’ll get to that, but first things first. Read more.
Meet Mike Heck, the Nebraska high school and Jays standout who had 'unlimited potential'
The story of Nebraska high school basketball’s first 7-footer stands out not simply because of what he was at 20 years old, but because of what he could’ve been at 21, 22, 25, 30, 40... Read more.
Tragedy kept Harry Kersenbrock, a 7-footer from Crete, from becoming a Jayhawk star
Harry Kersenbrock was supposed to play for Phog Allen. But he died too soon on June 28, 1928, after a canoeing accident on the Big Blue River at home. Read more.
Bill Vincent, the Omaha South great who drew comparisons to Wilt Chamberlain, left his mark
Entering the 1960 state tournament, the Omaha South Packers had barely been tested. They had shooters, ball handlers and 6-8 center Bill Vincent, who you couldn’t defend 1-on-1. Read more.
The story behind Kelly Flynn and South Sioux City girl's decade of domination
The South Sioux City Cardinals hold the all-class record for most titles with 12, two more than Sandy Creek and Lincoln Southeast. Read more.
South Sioux City's Mini-Dome presented big problems for hoops opponents
The Mini-Dome's unique design of the 3,000-seat facility added to the intimidation factor. “Along the baselines, their bleachers were right there. Sometimes I swore their fans were on the court." Read more.
In Omaha's episodes of racial tension, only once has basketball played a major role
Omaha’s history of racial tension and civil unrest has many episodes, but only once did basketball play a major role. This is the story of Omaha Central standout Dwaine Dillard and the 1968 boys state high school basketball tournament. Read more.
I got a lesson on Nebraska's basketball history from a classical music expert
I never expected to get a lesson on basketball in Nebraska from a classical music expert from New York, but that’s what happened, writes Thad Livingston. Read more.
gene.schinzel@owh.com, 402-444-1038, twitter.com/GeneOWH
Gene Schinzel
Gene covers a variety of sports beats for The World-Herald. Follow him on Twitter @geneOWH. Phone: 402-444-1038.
