LINCOLN -- It was a performance that Fremont Bergan fans will be talking about for quite some time.
With endless range, an accurate pull-up jumper and the ability to drive to the hoop at will, Wes Eikmeier elevated his game when it counted the most. The Bergan senior capped off his high school career by willing his team to a state title 56-43 over Humphrey St. Francis.
With 43 points and two assists, Eikmeier had a hand in 47 of Bergan’s 56 points. He went 16-of-22 from the field while his teammates shot 5-of-23 against the Flyers’ 1-3-1 zone defense.
“We needed him to step up,” Fremont Bergan coach Chris Paulson said. “Everyone else still had a little bit of nerves and jitters. We missed some open looks in the first half and if a team is going to play us zone, we’ve got to find Wes.”
The 6-3 guard got progressively better throughout the tournament “ scoring 29 points in the opener with Kenesaw and 35 against Mead in the semifinals. With a state title on the line, Eikmeier’s teammates knew where to turn.
“Wes does everything,” senior forward Isaac Morrissey said. “We just pull rebounds, keep possessions alive and feed Wes the ball. He was feeling it... He’s a special player and I’m glad to be his teammate.”
Eikmeier finishes his career as Bergan’s top all-time scorer. His 2,193 career points rank eighth in state history.
The records never meant much to Eikmeier.
When asked about his scoring marks, Eikmeier quickly responds, “I don’t care about that” with a the conviction that makes one think he would have traded all the accolades in for one state title.
More important to Eikmeier were the bonds formed with his teammates. The Iowa State University recruit highlighted a class of five seniors who have played together since fourth grade. They wanted nothing more than to finish with a championship.
“I can’t put into words how awesome it is to end your senior year like this,” Eikmeier said.
“The chemistry has been there all the years that we’ve been together,” Morrissey added. “We’re leaving and this was our main goal -- to win a state championship. We got it done and ended it on a good note.”
It’s that chemistry that Fremont Bergan coach Chris Paulson will remember most about his Class of 2008.
“They care for each other, they believe in each other and they would do anything for each other,” Paulson said. “They’re best friends. It’s a great accomplishment for them to hang their hat on and say ‘hey this is how we’re going to end things. This is our going out party.’”
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