Libby Province, Kearney High Girls Basketball v. Bellevue West 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – Back-to-back home games went to the visitors, as the Kearney Girls basketball team fell to Bellevue West on Saturday evening 63-49. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats had dropped a home tilt to Lincoln North Star the night prior, and awaited a tough matchup with Bellevue West. The Thunderbirds had started the season not up to their usual standards, entering at 7-6 despite playing in the state semifinal round a year ago. Head Coach Dane Bacon – a Kearney native and KHS alum – was also prepared to make his return to his alma mater.
Kearney had the opening shot fall in their favor, as Paige Mailahn knocked down the first points of the contest to put up an early fight against the T-Birds. The Bearcats were shutting down their visitors early, but withstood some early blows by Naomi White and Kenzie Melcher as both hit three-pointers in the opening period. Mailahn had help with four different Bearcats scoring in the opening period, and added her final points of the quarter to beat the buzzer as Kearney led 14-10 at the end of the first.
Libby Province, Kearney High Girls Basketball v. Bellevue West 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Kearney’s second quarter allowed Bellevue West to push ahead, as the T-Birds took a 15-6 advantage into the period. Post Danny Coyler bullied her presence in the post, being fed early and often to add five points from inlet passes from her Bellevue West teammates. Melcher and White would add two more three pointers as well, with Kearney’s lone scoring coming from sweeping scores by freshman Libby Province and junior Addie Snyder. Kearney trailed at halftime 25-20.
The Bearcats would be unable to bring the game within closer than seven points in the second half, as Bellevue West controlled throughout the final frames. However, Kearney would make things interesting with Province rolling in another four points and Mailahn and Harley Straka hitting two more deep shots. Mia McVay warmed up her shooting stroke for the T-Birds, hitting a three point play and two three pointers totaling nine points in the period, while Kara Muller and Coyer added their own triples. Trailing 46-34 entering the fourth quarter, the Bearcats aimed to close the gap.
Libby Province, Kearney High Girls Basketball v. Bellevue West 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Province continued to maneuver inside looks but Bellevue West kept their foot on the accelerator, keeping Kearney at arms length and holding off with late responses at each Kearney score. The Thunderbirds would wrap their longest trip out west, taking down the Bearcats 63-49.
Bellevue West improves to 8-6 on the season and returns to action on Tuesday for revenge at Omaha Westside. The Warriors took down the Thunderbirds in the Metro Conference Tournament in December.
Kearney fell to 8-7 on the year and will head to Lincoln Pius X on Tuesday, facing the Thunderbolts for the third time this season.
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Bellevue West: Melcher (15 points), White (14 points), Coyer (14 points), McVay (14 points), Muller (3), Vanna Reitsma (2), Ahnika Russell-Brown (1)
Kearney: Province (13 points), Mailahn (8), Garner (3), Straka (8), Sophie Glandt (4), Addie Helmbrecht (4)
Libby Province, Kearney High Girls Basketball v. Bellevue West 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
