KEARNEY – The Kearney High Boys Basketball team crushed Norfolk in the second quarter defensively – only allowing three points – and steadied for a 55-36 win over the Panthers on their home gym Friday night. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered at 10-4 on the year having had the week to recover from a long stretch of contests from the end of December to the prior Saturday at Omaha Bryan. Kearney faced off against a Norfolk team that had only two wins on the season, but was upset-minded with a high-velocity shooting threat on their side.
Kearney took control early with a fast pace, pushing Norfolk down early with a fast-action defense and quick strikes and slashes from their stars. Jack Dahlgren slashed inside for four points, Karter Lee had two, while Treyven Beckman and Ben Johnson connected from three in the first. The Bearcats did give a short run to Norfolk, but continued to lead into the second quarter up 15-10.
Karter Lee // KHS BBB // Central NE Press Pass // Courtesy Corbey Dorsey Photography
The second quarter was owned by Kearney, as “Beranek Ball” showcased with tough defense holding Norfolk to only three points. The Bearcats had Johnson knock down his third triple, while Dahlgren added four more points and Asher Endorf found four of his own. Leading 30-13, the Bearcats aimed to control the rest of the contest past halftime.
Asher Endorf // KHS BBB // Central NE Press Pass // Courtesy Corbey Dorsey Photography
Although lethargic at times, Kearney kept their pace and continued to out-maneuver the Panthers in the second half. Norfolk’s Jack Borgmann found his rhythm with 12 points in the second half after being shutout in the first, but Kearney had six different scorers contribute in the third and fourth quarters to pull away and earn win number eleven on the season 55-36.
Karter Lee // KHS BBB // Central NE Press Pass // Courtesy Corbey Dorsey Photography
The Bearcats are now 11-4 on the season and travel to Lincoln North Star and Omaha Benson on Friday and Saturday night next week. Both games will be carried on KGFW.
Kearney had contributions from eight different players, including: Dahlgren with 16 points, Johnson with 13, Lee and Endorf finished with 6 each, Beckman had 5, Justin Murray ended with 4, Jhordy Solares had 3, and Colt Straka ended with 2.
Ben Johnson // KHS BBB // Central NE Press Pass // Courtesy Corbey Dorsey Photography
Ben Johnson // KHS BBB // Central NE Press Pass // Courtesy Corbey Dorsey Photography
