NEBRASKA – Two Nebraska high school basketball legendary coaches will be honored with awards later this winter.
The Nebraska Basketball Coaches Association announced the girls 2023 John Wooden Legacy award recipient is former Lexington girls coach Coach Randy Carpenter. Carpenter coached the Minutemaids for 37 years with a 492-276 overall record, 13 state tournament appearances and two Class B State Championships in 1978 and 1987.
Carpenter had also been an assistant boys basketball coach in Elm Creek prior to his stint with Lexington. The Minutemaids also earned runner-up finishes in 1977 and 1991, 13 district championships, and 12 Southwest Conference titles.
Carpenter’s award presentation will be at the Lexington and Northwest (Grand Island) matchup on Dec. 15.
Randy Carpenter, Lexington
The boys winner of the Wooden Legacy award is the late Paul Beranek of Ravenna who was the long time coach of the Bluejays. Beranek turned the Jays into a powerhouse, leading them to state titles in 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Beranek was names the Nebraska Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2006, the Grand Island Independent Coach of the Year in 2006, the NBDA Coach of the Year in 2004.
Beranek’s sons, Drake and Connor, are currently coaches for the Kearney High Basketball team as Drake has been the head coach since 2015.
Paul passed away in 2015. A plaque will be awarded to his family at a Ravenna game in January.
Paul Beranek, Ravenna
