Unfinished Business

By Pamela Storm

SeniorB.J. Helmstadter. Freshman Amon Helmstadter. Many students at Northeast believe these two are brothers Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but to the contrary, they are cousins.

The resemblance continues past family ties for the Helmstadters They both play defense, with a capital D, for Northeast's state championship boys basketball team.

Defense was the cornerstone of this season's varsity team. The quickness of Amon and the physical strength of B.J . sparked many Northeast defensive efforts that helped the Rockets to a 22-3 record and the school's ninth state championship.

Northeast rolled to 11 straightwinstoopentheseason, then defeated No 2 Columbus on the road , 65-61. The Rockets only losses came to Alta , Utah in a holiday tourney, Norfolk and Millard South They avenged the Millard South loss in the state title game

Along with their defensive skills, B.J. and Amon have other common ideas. They both felt Lincoln High is the team's biggest city rival.

They also agreed that getting back to the state tournament and winning the title that eluded Northeast in 1994 was the main goal this season.

"The ball just didn't bounce our way," B.J. said of the '94 title loss to Creighton Prep.

In 1995, on a Saturday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the ball bounced Northeast's way once again

Oppos ite : Le ft : Alton Mason glides inside t o score two more. (A ll photos by James Piipp o ) Top : Rockets stand proudly as they re cei ve their championship medals

Bottom : Jeff Motz knows the Rockets are #1. Thi s Page : Lett : A mon Helmstadter racks up an other assist as he dishes off to an open teammate against Grand Island , Top : B J Nannen flashes his championship smile

Bottom : Greg Gerlach and Jeff Wells get into defensive positions