Burwell will not offer varsity boys basketball this winter

BURWELL, Neb. — A Central Nebraska high school will not offer varsity boys basketball this winter.

Burwell Public Schools made the announcement in a letter signed by Superintendent Dale Maynard and high school principal and basketball coach Adam Stolzer. The letter said low participation numbers forced the decision.

“We will build our young men to be the best version of themselves and lay a foundation for success,” the letter said. “We are committed to growing the Burwell boys basketball program through our skill development and engaging the youth in new ways.”

The Longhorns will still play a junior varsity schedule.

The decision comes three weeks after Grand Island canceled its varsity and junior varsity girls basketball seasons, sparking statewide conversation about sports participation trends. The Burwell decision is far different in scale. Grand Island is the largest school in the state and Burwell, the county seat of Garfield County, has just over 1,000 people living in the town.

Still, the Longhorns have a proud athletic tradition. The boys basketball team made the state tournament in 2021 and ’22, finishing in third place in Class D-1 in ’22. The Longhorns dropped off last season and posted a 5-17 record.

The Nebraska School Activities Association lists Burwell with 33 boys in grades 9-11. The total makes the Longhorns 204th in the state in boys enrollment out of 306 schools. They would have competed in Class D-1.

“The Longhorns are not going anywhere,” the letter said. “We will stay focused on our mission of raising positive young men for our community.”