Jamel LeBranch said he started 67 games in a row at Omaha Northwest and every game over two seasons at Central Community College.

This season at UNO, the junior point guard averages about 10 minutes a game.

“It’s different, I’m not going to lie,” LeBranch said.

But LeBranch — who backs up second-team all-conference point guard Andrew Bridger — has been ready when called upon.

That was never more clear than in last Saturday’s semifinals of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament.

LeBranch scored a season-high 11 points (he’d had only 18 points previously all season, and 11 points against MIAA opponents) and helped spark a victory over upstart Emporia State.

“Jamel has been really good about his role,” UNO coach Derrin Hansen said. “Anyone who doesn’t get to play as much as he’d like can get his head down a bit at times, but he and the other guys on the bench have stepped up when we’ve needed it.”

LeBranch’s reward for his big semifinal game? He played a total of two minutes, in the second half, of the championship-game win over Washburn.

Such is life when playing behind Bridger, a four-year starter and the pacesetter of the Mavericks’ high-octane offense. The fifth-seeded Mavericks (22-8) play No. 4 seed Tarleton State (23-7) in the Division II South Central regional tournament Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

The winner plays either top-seeded host Midwestern State or eighth-seeded Incarnate Word in a Sunday semifinal.

LeBranch’s role is a game-to-game proposition.

Typically, LeBranch will play a couple of minutes in the first half and maybe get some critical minutes in the second half. That all changes, though, if Bridger picks up two first-half fouls or gets into second-half foul trouble. One notable exception this year came in the regular-season finale, when Bridger sat out with a foot injury and LeBranch started and played a season-high 25 minutes.

LeBranch had an idea what to expect when he transferred from junior college in Columbus, where he averaged 12.5 points, 6.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds last season.

He averaged 14 points and 5.1 assists his final season at Omaha Northwest.

“He’s a great player, a great point guard,” LeBranch said of Bridger. “I’ve tried to learn from him. When he tells me to do stuff, I try to do it.

“This year I’ve had to take a role, and if I can turn into a great point guard like that, it’s going to help our team. I’m trying to learn everything I can from him.”

Bridger moves on after this season, and UNO has already signed a couple of potential point guards.

LeBranch is trying to get his hat in the ring, too.

“I’m working hard now, but this summer I’m going to work the hardest I’ve ever worked and go wherever my abilities take me,” LeBranch said.

“I want to be the point guard they want me to be. I’m going to have to work extremely hard, but that’s what I’m going to do.”

Contact the writer:

444-1027, rob.white@owh.com

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