Amherst Head Boys Basketball Coach Eric Rippen (Right, kneeling) v. Lincoln Lutheran, Class C2 State Championship 2024
AMHERST – The 2023-24 Nebraska Coaches Association Boys Basketball Coach of the Year honor was awarded to Amherst’s Eric Rippen after leading the Broncos to the Class C2 State Championship in March.
Amherst ended its season 26-2, taking down Lincoln Lutheran in overtime 59-54 back on March 9. The championship was the first won by Amherst in school history. The Broncos also earned state tournament wins over Bridgeport in the opening round and Cross County in the state semifinals, 63-48.
The Broncos team were led by dynamic scoring by Tayje Hadwiger, averaging 21.4 points per game and claiming the Broncos’ record for points scored in a career. Amherst’s Austin Adelung also contributed 14 points per contest on the senior led squad.
Rippen also led the Broncos to a 26-2 record in 2023 finishing as state runner-up, and a 23-6 mark in 2022 ending fourth.
Amherst has had their past five seasons earn ten more wins than losses, and the past four years finished with over twenty wins.
Congratulations - @NebraskaCoach - @Hudl 2024 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year: Eric Rippen, Amherst. pic.twitter.com/bDHW8kKrRZ
— NE Coaches Assoc. (@NebraskaCoach) April 1, 2024