Kennidy Garner, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Omaha Westview 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
OMAHA – The Kearney Girls basketball team responded at every corner, trailing at different points in the road test at Omaha Westview on Monday night, but freshman Libby Province’s finish with the right-handed lay-up ended the night as the Bearcats earned a key road victory 71-69. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats had suffered a stingy road loss due to a sluggish start at Lincoln Northeast on Saturday afternoon, but did respond well in the second half putting up a total of 37 points in the third and fourth quarters combined. Kearney hoped to keep that momentum on their side, playing their fourth game in less than six days, while Omaha Westview proved to be a tough outing early in their home gym.
The Wolverines proved to be feisty in the opening quarter, especially in their ability to quickly respond to Kearney’s early shot-making. Kennidy Garner was electric from the start, hitting her first of three first quarter three-pointers to give the Bearcats the early advantage. However, Westview rallied with three triples of their own in the period from three different players. The balanced attack by Westview kept Kearney off-balance, but the Bearcats never shied away from the limelight to shine on their own team. Kearney had contributions from five different players in the opening period. Westview’s balance gave them an early lead, as sophomore Macy Kellner led the way with seven first quarter points. After Westview went up 14-9 four minutes in, the Bearcats rallied with Garner’s next two three pointers to go on a 8-4 run, trailing 18-17 entering the second period.
The Wolverines snuffed out any offensive success in the proceeding two minutes, taking a 7-0 advantage prior to a Kearney timeout in the second quarter. The key was more outside shooting and second-chance points; Kearney had failed early to secure defensive rebounds giving the Wolverines ample opportunities for kick-out three point chances. As Westview hit five three-pointers in the period, Kearney would get back to work by following their hot-hand on the evening with senior Harley Straka. The guard added two points in the first quarter, but kept her scoring balanced with free-throws, jump shots, and attacks to the basket earning eight points in the period. She also had assistance from clutch three-pointers by Garner (her fourth on the night) and senior Avery Franzen hitting her first triple of the season. The added buckets did not keep Westview off the mark, however, as the Wolverines still outscored Kearney 20-16 in the second taking a 38-33 lead into halftime.
Avery Franzen, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Omaha Westview 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
The Bearcats resiliency continued to shine as both teams fought to gain a foothold in the second half. Straka opened up her game with a key three-pointer midway through the third quarter, as it landed as one of three triples by the visiting team in the period. As Kearney’s barrage came, Westview let up slightly, giving the Bearcats their first lead since the opening quarter as Kearney forced a timeout with under four minutes in the quarter up 49-46. Nearly immediately Westview responded again, as the Wolverines used six different scorers and lethal rotations to create more offensive chances. The leading scorers for the Wolverines began to find new life, as sophomore Cardy King proved to be a dangerous threat with four points in the period. The Bearcats once again trailed entering the end of a quarter, down 56-53.
The Bearcats and Wolverines continued their dual well into the fourth quarter, as both teams traded blows resulting in a tie game at 63 with over four minutes to play. Straka added her final three pointer of the night, while another senior – Paige Mailahn – had begun to find her shot nailing a three pointer in the third quarter and ending with ten points total, seven of them coming in the final quarter. King received many chances at the free throw line after fouls piled up on Kearney, giving the sophomore a chance to extend the lead as she would be perfect, adding ten points in the final frame.
Despite Westview going up 67-65 with under three minutes to play, Kearney rallied to tie at 69. After snuffing out several chances by Westview, the Bearcats would use their final possession wisely with time running out. Out of a Bearcat timeout, freshman Libby Province took the ball from the top, ran the right side, and stepped away from defenders to lay-in a bucket giving Kearney a 71-69 lead, turning it into the game winner after Westview was unable to convert on their transition finish in the final seconds.
Kearney (10-9) returns home for a break prior to Friday’s home contest with Lincoln Southeast.
Harley Straka, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Omaha Westview 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Kearney: Straka (23 points), Garner (15), Mailahn (10), Province (6), Kiara Dutenhoffer (6), Avery Franzen (5), Addie Snyder (2), Addie Helmbrecht (2).
Omaha Westview: King (19 points), Kellner (16), Kalyn Bailey (9), Stella Williams (8), Paige Myers (7), Lucy Fierro (5), Olivia Ross (5)
