Basketball showcase set for Grant May 29-30

For high school basketball players wanting to play basketball at the college level, getting noticed in western Nebraska can be a challenge. 

That will change May 29-30 when Lifeline Elite Sports of Omaha will bring the Midwest Elite College Showcase Tournaments for boys and girls to gyms at Perkins County Schools. 

PCS Athletic Director Jeremy Struckman said the coach of a Class D school in western Nebraska expressed interest in getting exposure for kids without them having to travel across the state. 

When the coach couldn’t get facilities in the Panhandle, he approached Struckman about having the event in Grant. 

The event will bring college coaches from throughout the country to scout individuals and recruit players. 

Colleges from Division II, NAIA and junior colleges will be in attendance. 

Steffon Bradford, CEO of Lifeline Elite Sports, said they are excited to bring opportunities to players in outstate Nebraska.

Bradford played for the Huskers under Coach Danny Nee and played professionally in the states and overseas. 

Bradford said at his last showcase event, 40% of the female athletes and 25% of the male athletes came away with college scholarship offers. 

Bradford said they were kids who hadn’t previously been offered scholarships.

“Our hope is to bring the same opportunities to those in your area,” he said.  

Struckman explained players will go through skill drills and other activities for evaluation purposes during Saturday’s session. 

On Sunday, there will be a tournament that will pit all-star players chosen from Saturday’s activities.

Coach Larry Pritchett will be coaching one of the teams. 

Struckman said the event is open to individual players, prep teams, independent and club teams. 

The public can attend both the Saturday and Sunday sessions and admission will be charged.

Girls coaches from these   colleges planning to attend include University of Northwestern Ohio, Presentation College, Cumberland University, Champion Christian College and University of Arkansas-Monticello. 

On the boys side, colleges represented include 2021 NAIA champion Shawnee State, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Johnson University, Peru State, Southeastern Baptist College, Oakland City University and Wilberforce University.