KEARNEY – The Bearcat Boys Basketball team controlled the opening three quarters and despite a late resurgence from North Platte earned their eighth win on the season as they wrapped their 69-56 victory at home. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered on a two game losing skid coming out of the HAC Tournament as the Bearcats suffered defeats to Lincoln High (HAC Tournament Champion) and Lincoln North Star. At 7-3, the Bearcats aimed to make amends and right the ship with a looming rivalry matchup Thursday night with Grand Island.
North Platte appeared steady per usual under Head Coach Matt Kaminski at 4-4 in the first stretch of the season. Despite starting 0-3, the Bulldogs had rallied for wins in four of their previous five contests.
As the game fired off early buckets, both teams appeared locked in for a back-and-forth affair after the opening minutes. Kearney scored quickly, followed by a North Platte Carter Kelley three pointer to take the lead, then Kearney responded with another score to take the advantage back. After some more back-and-forth, the Bearcats began to take control of the contest up 12-7 with 3:02 remaining in the second. After another 5-0 run led by Asher Endorf and Ben Johnson’s three point play, Kearney led 17-7 entering the second quarter.
KHS BBB
Much of the same continued into the second despite Kearney never seeing the free throw line again until the fourth quarter. Relying on Karter Lee’s sharpshooting and Jack Dahlgren’s efficient attacks at the basket, the Bearcats opened the second on a 10-4 run with 5:10 left in the quarter. More triples rained down in the second as Ben Johnson added to his season total and Asher Endorf got in on the fun as well. North Platte fell behind to the consistent scoring of Kearney, as the Bearcats continued their lead up 34-19 at halftime.
KHS BBB
Into the third quarter Kearney appeared to put the game away scoring 18 and holding the Bulldogs to 14. Kearney only added triples in the third: one from Lee, two from Dahlgren, two added by Ian Piper off the bench, and Johnson adding one. North Platte’s scoring machine River Johnston came alive, scoring seven of his nineteen points in the quarter. Despite the Johnston heroics, Kearney led 52-33.
KHS BBB
As the game appeared out of reach, North Platte would not back down. Extending the game due to Kearney fouls and excellent answers by Lance Gifford, the Bulldogs pulled within nine points late into the final fourth. The Bearcats responded however at every close turn, as late fouls pulled the game out of reach as Kearney earned their eighth win on the season 69-54.
KHS BBB
Kearney improves to 8-3 on the season and returns home Thursday night to host Grand Island in the highly anticipated Central Nebraska rivalry matchup. Pregame on KGFW begins at the conclusion of the girls contest with an anticipated tip-off time set for 7:45 PM. Join Austin Jacobsen on the call from Kearney High School.
The Bearcats had contributions from Dahlgren with 20 points, Endorf ended with 15, Johnson had 14, Lee wrapped with 11, Piper had 6, and Colt Straka connected on 3 in his first start.
