Paige Mailahn, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Fremont 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
FREMONT – Despite a late surge by Fremont and a four-point fourth quarter by the Bearcats, Kearney secured their final road win of the regular season taking down the Tigers 43-40 at Al Bahe Gymnasium. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered on a brief winning streak, having played some of their best offensive basketball in the past week taking down Omaha Westview on the road 43-40, then upsetting Lincoln Southeast 53-42 at home Friday night.
The Tigers had only won four games entering the Tuesday night tilt, and aimed to continue finding further development late in the season as Fremont was winners of two of their past three contests.
Libby Province, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Fremont 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Fremont scored the opening bucket of the contest, but Kearney stomped on the gas in the final four minutes to gain an early scoring advantage up 11-4. The lead was picked up from a Paige Mailahn three pointer, while three other Bearcats contributed to take the first quarter advantage. Kiara Dutenhoffer arrived off the bench for the leading scorer in the quarter, earning four points.
Mailahn showcased more scoring ability with two drives in the lane in the mid-second quarter, as her scoring – paired with six points by freshman Libby Province and four other Bearcats – to take a 16-13 advantage going up by double digits. However, Kearney was unable to pull further away from the Tigers due to the elevated play of junior of Jenna McClain. McClain was held scoreless in the first quarter, but immediately popped off in scoring with all the scoring for the home team in the second period. The lethal shooting from McClain included three-triples in the quarter, while also hitting the final shot of the half to bring the Tigers within ten 27-17.
Kearney showed no early signs of slowing down in the second half, pushing up twelve points and adding in balanced scoring by five different players. Harley Straka led the way with four points, including two free throws, as the Bearcats continued to pace their lead by double digits. However, Fremont never backed down – even after leading rebounder Mattie Dalton fouled out in the third quarter. Down a starter, the Tigers battled back with Emma Diers and McClain each hitting a three pointer. The Bearcats largest lead grew to thirteen, but Kearney led 39-27 at the end of the third.
Harley Straka, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Fremont 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
As the fourth quarter started, a new game ensued at Al Bahe Gymnasium as Kearney failed to break into any offensive rhythm until the later stages of the fine frame. Fremont, however, devised a new strategy – getting to the free throw line early and often. The new attack worked, as Kate Denker would shoot eight free throws in the final eight minutes, while also adding in a field goal as well. With Denker’s newfound scoring, Kearney began to feel the pressure mount as turnovers resulted in more chances for the Tigers down the stretch. McClain added four points herself to wrap up her game-high twenty point scoring effort. With less than two minutes to play, Denker sank a three-pointer to draw Kearney within a single digit 41-40.
Both teams traded possessions, but late free throws by the Bearcats extended the lead 43-40. As the final heave came from Fremont with the time expiring, McClain was unable to find a clean space for the shot with the Bearcats escaping with the victory.
The Bearcats improve to 12-9, securing a winning season for the third consecutive season under three different head coaches. Kearney returns home on Thursday for their senior night, hosting a top-rated and talented Lincoln Southwest program.
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Kearney: Province (12 points), Mailahn (9), Straka (8), Dutenhoffer (6), Sophie Glandt (4), Addie Snyder (2), Addie Helmbrecht (2)
Fremont: McClain (20 points), Denker (11), Diers (7), Morgan Sintek (2)
Addie Helmbrecht, Kearney High Girls Basketball @ Fremont 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
