When Wahoo entered district play in 1992, they were wielding a sword that cut both ways. On one side, the perfect 20 - 0 record they brought with them entitled them to the top seed and gave them the benefit of playing the poorest team in the district in the first round. All those wins had also generated a degree of confidence and an element of intimidation that would serve them well as they faced their district opponents. But some might have seen this side of the sword as being a little dull. In 1992, the Warriors had the unique status of being considered “untried.” In 1991, the “Quad Squad” had veteran leadership -- four of the five starters having played extensively, and even starred in previous district and state appearances. The 1992 team would have to prove that they were up to the challenge of tournament play as only one player had been in that starting lineup the previous season. Senior Jeff Simons was a returning starter, but his role in 1992 would have to be much more than it had been his junior season. This time around, he would be called upon to lead the way.

The other side of the sword: While many teams dreamed of an undefeated season and / or a trip to the state tournament, for the Wahoo team of 1992, that was the expectation. Maybe it had been more of a hope at the start of the season, but by the end of February, it had become for many a presumption. And none of the 20 wins could get them to the state tournament, only winning the next three could do that. The 20 win season was part of a 110 game winning streak, 24 of those consecutive wins coming in tournament play (district and state) when it was “win or go home.” The 1992 Warriors had spent a season proving themselves. Now that success might become an added pressure that would keep them from rising to the level of excellence that had been Wahoo basketball for four years.

The district that Simons was leading his team into was a little different from the previous years. While common past district opponents such as Waverly, Platteview and Gretna remained in the B2 district, Wahoo had been shifted to the north and entered the B3 district with one well known opponent, Elkhorn Mt. Michael, and unfamiliar foes Omaha Cathedral, Omaha Flanagan, Elkhorn, Blair, Omaha Roncalli and Boys Town. On paper, the new district alignment seemed to be an advantage for Wahoo as none of the other teams in the district were in the final regular season rankings. However, both Boys Town (13 - 7) and Roncalli (15 - 5) were considered to be teams capable of competing with the best in the state and had been ranked earlier in the season along with Platteview.

Whoever the opponent was, the Wahoo approach was the same for each tournament game as it had been the previous seasons. Coach Anderson: “I’ll just put a big 6 up there (on the chalkboard). That’s how many games we need to win state. We’ll count down and erase, just as we’ve done the last four years.”

When they took the court in the first round of the B3 District at Bellevue West High School, it was unclear which side of the sword would do the most cutting. The 1992 Warriors would either step up and meet the challenge, or be cut down by the weight of expectations.