SEWARD, Neb. – Four incoming Concordia freshmen were recently named to Nebraska Coaches Association all-star rosters. One future Bulldog will play in each of next week’s all-star contests in Lincoln as part of the annual series. Honorees that have signed to become Bulldogs include Brady’s Tara Callahan (volleyball), Waverly’s Taylor Cockerill (women’s basketball), Crete’s MacKinsey Schmidt (softball) and Riverside’s Noah Valasek (men’s basketball).
Incoming Bulldogs in 2017 NCA All-Star Games
Tara Callahan, Volleyball | 6-1 | S/RS | Brady HS
Callahan: “I talked to Coach (Scott) Mattera and I loved the things he said to me. I went to campus for camp and it was perfect. The girls and the facilities were perfect. I just loved everything about it.”
Taylor Cockerill, Women’s Basketball | 5-8 | G | Waverly HS
Nebraska Lasers coach Allen Simpson: “I’ve been impressed with her commitment to the game and how hard she works. She wants to get better and she steps up her game as the level of competition rises.”
MacKinsey Schmidt, Softball | 5-4 | OF | Crete HS
Notes: Schmidt played for the Nebraska Gold club team; named honorable mention all-state Class B by the Omaha World-Herald; also a standout basketball player, Schmidt competed in the Southeast Nebraska All-Star basketball game hosted by Southeast Community College.
Noah Valasek, Men’s Basketball | 5-11 | G | Riverside HS
Notes: A prolific high school scorer, Valasek garnered honorary captain status for the 2017 Class D2 all-state basketball team, as announced by the Omaha World-Herald. Valasek led Riverside High School to a 24-5 record and fourth place finish at the state tournament. The McCook Gazette referred to Valasek as the “red flash” for his exploits as a quarterback and defensive back in six-man football.
Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Schedule
38th Annual NCA All-Star Girls' Basketball Game
Monday, July 24th, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln North Star High School
49th Annual NCA Boys' Basketball Game
Monday, July 24th, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
Lincoln North Star High School
34th Annual NCA Girls' Volleyball Match
Tuesday, July 25th, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln North Star High School
13th Annual NCA All-Star Softball Game
Wednesday, July 26th, 2017, 5:00 p.m.
UNL's Bowlin Field