Three of the league’s most improved players join Chucky Hepburn and Hunter Sallis on the All-Metro Conference team.
Saint Thomas of Millard North, Frankie Fidler of Bellevue West and Denim Johnson of Omaha Central emerged in their senior seasons.
Thomas raised his scoring average by 5.4 points from last season, Fidler by 8.9 points. Johnson, who came to Central after three seasons at Omaha Benson, led the Eagles in scoring.
On last year’s All-Metro teams, Thomas was a second-teamer and Fidler a third-teamer. Johnson was on the honorable mention list.
Hepburn and Sallis, who are named as the team’s honorary co-captains, are multiple-year honorees. Hepburn was on the All-Metro third team as a freshman before three years on the first team. Sallis was on the second team as a sophomore before two years on the top team.
It’s the first time since 2016 (Omaha South and Papillion-La Vista) that two teams have placed two players on the first team.
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Four of the five players were 1,000-point scorers in their careers. Sallis led with 1,819, followed by Hepburn at 1,706, Johnson at 1,168 and Thomas at 1,095. Fidler had 933 after a 594-point senior season.
While the first team was all seniors, the second and third teams have more sophomores and juniors than seniors.
On the second team are junior Jasen Green and senior Jadin Johnson of Millard North, senior Justin Sitti of Omaha Creighton Prep, junior Daniel Brocaille of Papillion-La Vista South and junior Reggie Thomas of Omaha Westside.
Third-teamers are senior Brendan Buckley and junior Luke Jungers of Prep, senior Evan Meyersick of Millard West, junior Chandler Meeks of Westside and sophomore Josiah Dotzler of Bellevue West.
Division I destinations are Gonzaga for Sallis, Wisconsin for Hepburn, UNO for Fidler and Old Dominion for Jadin Johnson. Saint Thomas said he’ll announce his future plans on April 10. Green has multiple high-Division I offers.
Observations of The World-Herald sports staff and nominations of league coaches determine the All-Metro teams.
No school has ever put more on the top two teams than Millard North. The four selections reflect the talent that carried the Mustangs to their first state championship and the first for coach Tim Cannon.
“We just had all the right pieces. We went so well together,” Sallis said. “Last year what we really lacked were shooters. That’s why a lot of teams were able to get away playing zone against us. This year, Jadin and I were able to stretch the floor and knock down open shots. It was really hard on teams and then with Jasen and Tyler (Sandoval) being so dominant inside, it was really just hard for teams to guard us straight up.”
Sallis said the chemistry that developed through the season between he and Thomas, a pair of 20-point scorers, was a reason the Mustangs won the state title.
“A lot of teams don’t play that good with two players, but I feel like we complemented each other perfectly,” Sallis said.
First Team
Hunter Sallis, Millard North, 6-5, Sr., 22.2
Chucky Hepburn, Bellevue West, 6-2, Sr., 15.9
Saint Thomas, Millard North, 6-7, Sr., 21.2
Frankie Fidler, Bellevue West, 6-7, Sr., 21.2
Denim Johnson, Om. Central, 6-1, Sr., 15.2
Honorary captains: Sallis, Hepburn
Second Team
Jasen Green, Millard North, 6-7, Jr., 12.3
Justin Sitti, Om. Creighton Prep, 6-2, Sr., 9.5
Daniel Brocaille, Papio South, 6-5, Jr., 17.6
Jadin Johnson, Millard North, 6-4, Sr., 15.2
Reggie Thomas, Om. Westside, 6-1, Jr., 14.9
Third Team
Brendan Buckley, Creighton Prep, 6-3, Sr., 10.2
Evan Meyersick, Millard West, 6-5, Sr., 13.3
Luke Jungers, Creighton Prep, 6-8, Jr., 12.0
Chandler Meeks, Om. Westside, 6-1, Jr., 12.5
Josiah Dotzler, Bellevue West, 6-2, So., 11.9
Honorable Mention
Bellevue East: Ater Louis, TK Barnett, Dige Dige. Bellevue West: Greg Brown, William Kyle. Elkhorn South: Derek Merwick, Nathan Hoesing, Reid Nelson. Gretna: Quinn Frost, Landon Pokorski. Millard North: Tyler Sandoval, Colin Monie. Millard South: Gage Stenger, Jack Cooper, Michael Harding, Blake Stenger, Lance Rucker, Will Cooper. Millard West: James Conway, Dom Humm, Ryan Larsen, Dustin Hatch. Omaha Bryan: Jai’lyn Spears. Omaha Burke: Lukas Kocher, Sam Sorensen, Donovan Moody. Omaha Central: Jay Dawson, Fai Germany, PJ Davis, Jaren Marshall. Omaha Creighton Prep: AJ Rollins, Mai’jhe Wiley, Conor Buckley, Casey O’Malley. Omaha North: Curtis Ogba, Keshaun Williams, Mason Strong, Darryl Bennett. Omaha Northwest: Jayden Curtis Sayers, Marrieon Marks, Landon Broer. Omaha South: Ricky Loftin. Omaha Westside: Payson Gillespie, Tate Odvody. Papillion-La Vista: Luke Lindenmeyer, Kyle Ingwerson, Joey Hylok, Aidan Graham, Chase Lett. Papillion-La Vista South: Graham Cassoutt, Josiah Beckenhauer, Tyler Culp, Jackson Trout.
2021 Nebraska boy state basketball championship games
Photos: 2021 Nebraska boys state basketball championship games

Bellevue West's Frankie Fidler attempts a shot against Millard North's Tyler Sandoval.

Millard North's Hunter Sallis attempts a shot against Bellevue West's William Kyle.

Bellevue West's Frankie Fidler pulls down a rebound against Millard North's Jasen Green.

Millard North's Jasen Green attempts a shot against Bellevue West's Frankie Fidler.

Bellevue West's Chucky Hepburn drives to the basket against Millard North's Jadin Johnson.

Bellevue West's Greg Brown drives to the basket against Millard North's Colin Monie.

Grand Island Central Catholic celebrates with their Class C2 trophy after defeating Yutan.

Grand Island Central Catholic's Dei Jengmer and Gil Jengmer fight for possession with Yutan's Gavin Kube.

Grand Island Central Catholic players and cheerleaders celebrate with the student section after their win against Yutan.

Grand Island Central Catholic players celebrate after their win against Yutan.

Grand Island Central Catholic's Isaac Herbek attempts a shot against Yutan's Gavin Kube.

Grand Island Central Catholic's Dei Jengmer attempts a shot against Yutan's Gavin Kube.

Grand Island Central Catholic's Isaac Herbeck attempts a shot against Yutan.

Yutan's Brady Timm attempts a shot against Grand Island Central Catholic's Russ Martinez.

Grand Island Central Catholic's Marcus Lowry attempts a shot against Yutan.

Yutan's Brady Timm drives to the basket against Grand Island Central Catholic's Russ Martinez.

Yutan's Brady Timm attempts a shot against Grand Island Central Catholic's Dei Jengmer.


Millard North's Hunter Sallis reacts after Bellevue West's Chucky Hepburn steals the ball.

Bellevue West bench players react to Bellevue West scoring against Millard North.

Bellevue West's Chucky Hepburn attempts a layup against Millard North.

Millard North's Jasen Green attempts a shot against Bellevue West.

Bellevue West's Evan Inselman attempts a 3-pointer against Millard North's Tyler Sandoval.

Millard North's Saint Thomas blocks a shot attempt by Bellevue West's Frankie Fidler.

Millard North's Tyler Sandoval keeps the ball from going out of bounds against Bellevue West.

People observe the national anthem before the Millard North/Bellevue West Class A title game.

Millard North's Hunter Sallis cuts down the net after defeating Bellevue West.

Bellevue West's Frankie Fidler intercepts a pass intended for Millard North's Jasen Green.

Millard North's Hunter Sallis hugs his father, Trevis Sallis, after Millard North's defeat of Bellevue West in OT the Class A finals.

Millard North celebrates with their Class A trophy after defeating Bellevue West.

Millard North's Saint Thomas attempts to guard the ball from Bellevue West's Jaxon Stueve.

Bellevue West's Chucky Hepburn attempts a shot against Millard North's Tyler Sandoval and Jasen Green.

Millard North's Tyler Sandoval reacts after dunking the ball against Bellevue West.

Millard North's Jasen Green attempts a shot against Bellevue West's Josiah Dotzler.

Falls City Sacred Heart holds up their Class D2 championship trophy after defeating Lincoln Parkview Christian.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jack Fiegener lies on the ground during celebration of their defeat of Lincoln Parkview Christian for the Class D2 championship.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jakob Jordan and Lincoln Parkview Christian's Jaheim Curry fight for possession.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jakob Jordan and Lincoln Parkview Christian's KeShawn Moore run to catch a loose ball.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Joe Simon is closely guarded by Lincoln Parkview Christian's Michael Ault.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jack Fiegener drives to the basket against Lincoln Parkview Christian's Mark Laul.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jakob Jordan and Jacob Froeschl chest bump going into a timeout called by Lincoln Parkview Christian.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Evan Keithley reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against Lincoln Parkview Christian.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Brogan Nachtigal attempts to block Lincoln Parkview Christian's KeShawn Moore's shot.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jacob Froeschl bumps into Lincoln Parkview Christian's Mark Lual.

Lincoln Parkview Christian's Mark Lual attempts a shot against Falls City Sacred Heart's Joe Simon.

Lincoln Parkview Christian's KeShawn Moore attempts a shot against Falls City Sacred Heart's Jakob Jordan.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jakob Jordan attempts a shot over Lincoln Parkview Christian's Tom Kraan.

Lincoln Parkview Christian's Jaheim Curry attempts a shot over Falls City Sacred Heart's Evan Keithley.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Joe Simon tips an attempted 3-pointer by Lincoln Parkview Christian's Michael Ault.

Falls City Sacred Heart's Jacob Froeschl attempts a shot in traffic against Lincoln Parkview Christian.

Beatrice's Jace Pethoud lands on Elkhorn's Dane Petersen during the second half of the Class B championship on Saturday,

Beatrice's Kayden Glynn has the name of his sister written on his shows during the B championship on Saturday,

Elkhorn's Colton Uhing crouches as Beatrice celebrates winning the Class B championship in overtime on Saturday,

Beatrice's Kayden Glynn, left, celebrates hitting a last second three-point basket to send it to overtime against Elkhorn during the Class B championship on Saturday,.

Beatrice's Kayden Glynn hits a last second three-point basket to send it to overtime against Elkhorn during the B championship on Saturday,

Elkhorn's Kyler Randazzo gets a hand on Beatrice's Bennett Crandall's shot in the first half during the B championship on Saturday, Crandall would sink the basket.

Beatrice's Elliot Jurgens, left, and Elkhorn's Drew Christo collide while Jurgens takes a first-half shot during the B championship on Saturday,

Elkhorn's Kyler Randazzo gets a hand on Beatrice's Bennett Crandall's shot in the first half during the B championship on Saturday, Crandall would sink the basket.

Elkhorn's Dane Petersen, left, and Beatrice's Tucker Timmerman fight for a first-half rebound during the B championship on Saturday,

Elkhorn's Jack Buddecke shoots a first half three-point basket in front Beatrice's Tucker Timmerman to bring Elkhorn within one point during the B championship on Saturday,

Adams Central's Dante Boelhower watches as Auburn celebrates the victory in C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Cameron Binder, left, talks to Head Coach Jim Weeks after they defeated defeated Adams Central for the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Cameron Binder blows a kiss after he defeated Adams Central for the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Ryan Binder, left, and Daniel Frary collide with Adams Central's Dante Boelhower while fighting for a reboundl during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Cade Patzel fouls Adams Central's Dante Boelhower in the first half during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Maverick Binder passes around Adams Central's Dante Boelhower in the first half during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Maverick Binder celebrates a three-point basket in the first half against Adams Central during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Adams Central's Dante Boelhower, front and Auburn's Daniel Frary fight for a loose ball in the first half during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Auburn's Ryan Bender keeps the ball from going out of bounds after racing Adams Central's Lucas Bohlen for the ball in the first half during the C1 championship on Saturday,

Howells-Dodge's Jason Tomcak watches Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family celebrate their overtime win for the D1 championship on Saturday,

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Ashton Sims, left and Ethan Keller celebrate their overtime win over Howells-Dodge for the D1 championship on Saturday,

From left: Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Head Coach Joe Hesse, Ayden Veik, and Cooper Beller celebrate pulling ahead of Howells-Dodge in overtime for the D1 championship on Saturday,

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Sage Frauendorfer jumps into the arms of Head Coach Joe Hesse after defeating Howells Dodge in overtime for the D1 championship on Saturday,

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Jason Sjuts holds onto the ball as Ethan Keller calls timeout while Howells-Dodge's Lance Brester, left, and Blake Sindelar right, trie to get the ball from Sjuts with 1.1. seconds left and the score tied in regulation during the D1 championship on Saturday.

Howells-Dodge's Richard Bayer, left, collides with Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Jacob Sjuts while going for a rebound in the first half during the D1 championship on Saturday,

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Jacob Sjuts knocks the ball away from Howells-Dodge's Blake Sindelar in the first half during the D1 championship on Saturday,

Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family's Jason Sjuts looks at the referee after falling down in front of Howells-Dodge's Lance Brester in the first half during the D1 championship on Saturday,

f Howells-Dodge's Lance Brester looks to pass the ball in the first half against Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family during the D1 championship on Saturday,