Train With Purpose • Play With Confidence • Compete at Your Best
About Platte River Prep Basketball
Platte River Prep is a basketball development organization based in Kearney, Nebraska focused on helping athletes throughout Central Nebraska improve their skills, confidence, and competitive experience both on and off the court.
JD Carson
Head Coach • 18 Years Coaching Experience
JD Carson is a Kearney native who has spent nearly two decades coaching across middle school, JV, freshman, and varsity levels. He is a former Kearney High School varsity player and helped lead his team to the state semifinals in 2006-07 and quarterfinals in 2007-08.
He previously coached in the Kearney High School girls program and currently serves as the Head Coach of Amherst Girls Basketball, where they won the 2025-26 District Championship.
Coaching & Leadership Experience
- 18 years coaching experience (multiple levels)
- Former Kearney High School varsity player
- 2007-08 state semi-finalist / quarterfinalist team member
- Former Kearney High School girls program coach
- Current Head Coach, Amherst Girls Basketball
- 2025-26 district champion
- UNK graduate
Born and raised in Kearney, JD is deeply rooted in the community. He is a father of two boys, Dempsey (8) and Laker (5), and enjoys traveling with his family and spending time at the lake when he’s not in the gym.
Chase Dippel
Co-Founder • 12 Years Coaching & Player Development Experience
Chase Dippel brings more than a decade of coaching, training, and player development experience, including nine years at the collegiate level. His background spans college basketball, club programs, camps, and individual player development, giving him a well-rounded perspective on what it takes for athletes to grow and compete.
A lifelong basketball player, Chase was a four-year standout at Smoky Valley High School, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer. He continued his career at Ottawa University, earning All-Conference honors three times and finishing among the program's all-time scoring leaders.
Coaching & Leadership Experience
- 12 years coaching and player development experience
- 9 years collegiate coaching experience
- Assistant coaching experience at:
- University of Saint Mary
- Ottawa University
- Emporia State University
- Missouri Baptist University
- Baker University
- HAAC Assistant Coach of the Year (2022–23)
- Midwest Elite Basketball Camp Clinician (2016–Present)
- Midwest Elite Co-Coach of the Year (2019)
- Club coaching experience with MoKan and Drive5 programs
Playing Career:
- Smoky Valley High School all-time leading scorer
- Four-year letter winner
- Four-year player at Ottawa University
- Three-time All-Conference selection
- Top 10 all-time scorer in program history (1,354 points)
- School record holder for career three-pointers made (254)
Outside of basketball, Chase enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole, daughter Charlee, and son Crew. Whether it's a trip to the park, time outdoors, or watching sports together, family remains at the center of everything he does.
Why We Started PRP
Two Coaches. One Gap That Needed Filling.
We are Platte River Prep (PRP), a youth basketball development organization based in Kearney, Nebraska. Founded in 2024 by JD Carson and Chase Dippel, we exist for one purpose: to raise the level of basketball training in Central Nebraska and develop players the right way.
Our story began in a season of change.
JD had just accepted the head coaching job at Amherst, and Chase had recently relocated to Kearney. As we reconnected through basketball, we started noticing the same issue in many programs.
Kids were playing the game, but the fundamentals weren’t being consistently taught.
“There was effort everywhere, but not enough structured skill development.”
Footwork, shooting form, and core fundamentals were being overlooked, and many families were driving hours to Lincoln and Omaha just to find proper training.
We knew that didn’t have to be the case.
So we started PRP with 15 players and a simple goal: build a place where players could develop real skills close to home. Through word of mouth and consistent training, we grew to over 60 athletes in our first year.
“We’re not trying to create more games, we’re building better players.”
At PRP, everything comes back to fundamentals, development, and giving Central Nebraska athletes the opportunity to grow without having to leave home.
our choaches
Meet the Coaches Behind Platte River Prep
Our coaches are more than team leaders, they're mentors, teachers, and player development advocates committed to helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court.
JD Carson
Co-Founder & Coach
17U Girls and 12U Girls
Chase Dippel
Co-Founder & Coach
16U Boys 13U Boys, 12U Boys
Quinn Johnson
PRP Coach
16U Boys & 15U Boys
Nolan Benjamin
PRP Coach
17U Nxt Pro Boys Head Coach
Kyle Fletcher
PRP Coach
14U Boys Head Coach
Interested in Coaching with
Platte River Prep?
Join a Development-First Coaching Team
Platte River Prep is always interested in connecting with passionate coaches who share our commitment to player development, accountability, and teaching the game the right way. Unlike many youth programs, all PRP coaching positions are paid opportunities. We believe quality coaching matters, and we invest in coaches who are committed to helping athletes grow.
We're not looking for just anyone. We're looking for coaches who align with our mission and standards.
What We Value
- Passion for player development
- Strong basketball knowledge and fundamentals
- Leadership and communication skills
- Positive role models for young athletes
- Commitment to continuous improvement
Think You'd Be a Good Fit?
Complete our coaching interest form and tell us more about your experience and passion for developing athletes.
The Numbers Behind Our Growth
2024
Year Founded
Built to raise the standard of basketball development in Central Nebraska.
400+
Players This Season
Athletes developing their skills, confidence, and basketball IQ through PRP.
5
Tournaments Hosted Annually
Competitive events bringing teams together at the Kearney Sportsplex.
6
Dedicated Coaches
Experienced coaches committed to player growth on and off the court.
3rd–11th Grade
Athletes Served
Development opportunities for players at multiple stages of their basketball journey.
Ready to Help Your Athlete Grow On and Off the Court?
Join Platte River Prep for basketball training, travel teams, tournaments, and player development opportunities in Kearney, Nebraska.
