Jacob Webber, Kearney Boys Basketball v. Omaha Bryan 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – The ‘Cats are back. At least that’s what their statement win over a Top Ten rated and star-studded Omaha Bryan team showcased Friday night in a 66-50 victory at Kearney High School. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats had suffered back-to-back losses against highly rated foes: Bellevue West six days prior and Lincoln Pius X on Tuesday night. Both games showed the grit of Kearney, but ultimately each game fell out of reach for the ten-win team. Entering February, Kearney aimed to make a name for themselves in the Class A statewide picture, and looked to their Friday night opponent as their first chance to prove themselves.
Omaha Bryan entered riding the start of one of their best seasons in recent memory – walking into Kearney High School with twelve wins through sixteen games, needing one more to tie the year prior’s win mark. Additionally, the Bears felt confident with Top 100 rated player A’Mare Bynum in the fold, returning to Omaha Bryan after a stout sophomore season. Bynum was a leading scorer, rebounder, facilitator, defensive stopper and enforcer, and led Class A in several major categories.
Early on, Kearney was ready for the test. Jacob Webber and Karter Lee each hit early triples in the opening frame that gave Kearney the early lead in the first stretch of the contest. However, Bryan responded emphatically and at each turn with Brandon Jarmon connecting for eight points in the first quarter. Kearney’s Ben Johnson also was ready for the early test, scoring six of his twelve game points in the period. Despite slowing down Bynum – holding him to only two points coming off of free throws – the Bearcats failed to push a further lead as Bryan’s supporting cast continued to knock down shots. Amir Martin hit an and-one chance, while LC Doss nailed a late three pointer to push Omaha Bryan up 19-18 at the end of the first quarter.
Asher Endorf, Kearney Boys Basketball v. Omaha Bryan 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Kearney and Bryan would trade leads back-and-forth, with neither team gaining further footing than more than five points. The Bears held that advantage through most of a scoring drought by Kearney, as the Bearcats could only muster eleven points in the second period – five of them coming from the free throw line. While the Bearcats nickeled-and-dimed their way back into the game, the Bears bullied their way inside. Martin’s jumper connected for four points, while Rylan Rodriguez factored in with his own four points. The Bearcats were right in line with the Bears, but trailed 32-29 at halftime.
The second half became Kearney’s as the game wore on, with the Bearcats outscoring Bryan 37-28 in the second half. Bynum’s presence began to become a factor as he added seven points in the third period, but a missed dunk opportunity gave the rambunctious Kearney crowd reason to push ahead. As Bynum began to bully Kearney, the Bearcats relied on Jacob Webber and his new found fadeaway shots. Webber only hit two three pointers on the game, but most of damage was done inside of the arc knocking down multiple field goals. Webber hit ten of his game-high thirty-one points in the third period, but wasn’t alone in the offensive eruption. Asher Endorf knocked down a three pointer from the corner giving the Bearcats an extended lead, as the Bearcats edged past Bryan 46-45 heading into the fourth.
Karter Lee, Kearney Boys Basketball v. Omaha Bryan 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Webber was fouled from the three point line to get his shooting going, knocking down all three points while scoring his next twelve points in the final frame. More impressive than Kearney’s scoring was their defense, giving up only 5 points in the fourth quarter. Kearney extended their lead until Bryan waved the white flag, subbing in their reserves in the final minute to allow the Bearcats to celebrate early. The Bearcats snapped their skid, closing out the 66-50 victory.
Kearney (11-5) heads to Lincoln Northeast on Saturday afternoon with a road tilt against the Rockets. Tip-off is scheduled for around 3:45 PM. Hear the contest on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Kearney: Webber (31 points), Endorf (14), Johnson (12), Lee (7), Colt Straka (2)
Omaha Bryan: Doss (12 points), Bynum (9), Jarmon (9), Martin (7), Rodriguez (6), Dashawn Barfield (5), Thomas Alsup (2)
Ben Johnson, Kearney Boys Basketball v. Omaha Bryan 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
