KEARNEY – The third annual Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase concluded with a high-flying nightcap contest as the Kearney Bearcats stellar defensive effort had Class B’s Elkhorn North on the ropes, but ultimately fell short 66-49. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered at 8-4 having won back-to-back rivalry games earlier in the week over North Platte and Grand Island. Under first year head coach JD Carson, the eight wins in the first twelve games were the most for the program in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, Elkhorn North continued to showcase itself as the cream of the crop for talented basketball having won back-to-back Class B State Titles in 2020 and 2021, and beginning the year 9-1 including a win over Class A’s Millard South.
As talented as the Wolves were as a whole, the spotlight was shining brightest on Britt Prince – head coach Ann Prince’s daughter – widely regarded as the best basketball player in the state of Nebraska. With over 30 Division I offers and numerous all-state accolades, Prince was the player to watch entering the Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase.
As the game tipped off, Elkhorn North looked to take control early as a quick foul by Kearney’s Kelsey Hatcher sent Prince to the free throw line for the opening score of the game, knocking down one of two shots. As the Wolves looked to get ahead early employing their full-court pressure, Kearney looked steady and determined – moving the ball well with multiple passes and no fear of shot clock violations as Elkhorn North elected to play without the 35 second clock for the matchup.
KHS GBB
Hatcher delivered the first strike of the contest with a three pointer that jolted the crowd into action. Elkhorn North would quickly respond with scores to match nearly all of Kearney’s, but the Bearcats survived every blow with scoring coming from six different players in the opening minutes. The Wolves’ Grace Thompson hit a triple to knock down the deficit, but Kearney controlled the first up 15-12.
More of the same continued in the second as Kearney followed their three-point shot with junior Kennidy Garner hitting two outside shots and Elkhorn North responding with foul shots and a Britt Prince three-pointer. In the second, Hatcher had been pulled due to two early fouls as the new player to step up and guard the crowned jewel of Class B was junior Harley Straka. Prince was limited to only eight points and scored two field goals in the first half with the stingy Bearcat defense. Kearney’s lead did evaporate, but tied at 26 the Bearcats had the crowd and the energy on their side entering halftime.
KHS GBB
Elkhorn North quickly showcased why they have won multiple titles over their first three years as a school in the second half with quality defense, dominant scoring, and limiting mistakes as they scored forty points combined in the third and fourth quarters. Hatcher’s efforts in the second half exploded as well, scoring seventeen of her twenty total in the third and fourth quarters.
Kearney fell behind early in the third quarter and Elkhorn North followed their gameplan of getting to the foul line, hitting free throws, and continuing their scoring. Kearney had scoring opportunities but could not knock down the equal amount of shots to keep pace, as late fouls blew open the game further despite Kearney bringing the second half deficit to eleven after trailing by sixteen with two minutes to play.
KHS GBB
As the final buzzer sounded, a standing ovation from both sides erupted as Kearney fell 66-49 well past 10 PM at Kearney High School.
Elkhorn North improved to 10-1 on the year and faces Omaha Gross Catholic on Tuesday. The Wolves’ had contributions from Prince with 22 points, Thompson ended with 14, Reese Booth finished with 9, Reagan Palmer had 8, Grace Heaney wrapped with 7, and McKenna Murphy had 6.
Kearney falls to 8-5 before taking some time off prior to their Thursday night matchup at Lincoln East. The Bearcats wrapped up a busy two-week stretch that included seven games in ten days. Kearney had contributions from Hatcher with 20 points, Garner and Kiara Dutenhoffer had 8 each, Tatum Rusher ended with 5, and Straka and Maddy Province each wrapped with 4.
