KEARNEY – The Bearcat girls basketball team fought through a four quarter basketball fistfight, as the Lincoln High Links muscled their way to a 53-39 victory at Kearney High School. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Kearney girls entered the night at 1-1 on the year after winning their opening contest of the season over Marian before falling to Millard South last Saturday in Omaha. The Bearcats looked to find their footing in the Heartland Athletic Conference, facing off against one of the preseason favorites Lincoln High.
The Links entered at 1-1 on the year having suffered their first defeat of the season to Bellevue East. Lincoln High came to Kearney on a mission, and showed out early that they wanted to prove their dominance.
Lincoln hit the gas pedal early in the contest, as they opened up a double-digit lead in the opening minutes, eventually leading to a 13-2 lead with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter. Maddy Province was the lone scorer in the run by Kearney, as the Links started quick with their star Bri Robinson opening up the quarter with seven points. Dyvine Harris added four points as well, as Lincoln High did surrender a triple from Haidyn Skeen but kept control of the quarter leading 15-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Central Nebraska Press Pass // KHS GBB // Corbey Dorsey Photography
The Bearcats inched their way back into the contest as Kearney angled for three pointers from Tatum Rusher, as she hit two in the proceeding quarter. Addie Helmbrecht added a lay-in with Skeen finding a jumper as well, but the Links remained in control with a punishing defensive showing as they locked down access to the basket all night. The Links found their own inside success with Nicole Haywood scoring four in the quarter, and Josie Hilkemann adding another four as well. Lincoln High led 25-15 heading into halftime.
Central Nebraska Press Pass // KHS GBB // Corbey Dorsey Photography
Kearney never got into an offensive rhythm and continued to trail by double digits but did continue the fight into the second half, as Harley Straka took the physical game to the free-throw line adding four points. Kelsey Hatcher worked her way out of foul trouble to find a three pointer herself, but Lincoln High connected on three triples in the third and led at the end of the quarter 38-24.
Central Nebraska Press Pass // KHS GBB // Corbey Dorsey Photography
The Bearcats couldn’t keep up with the Links in the end, adding in 15 points in the final quarter but being outpaced at the free throw line as the Links connected on 16 free throw points to earn their 53-39 win at Kearney High School.
Central Nebraska Press Pass // KHS GBB // Corbey Dorsey Photography
Kearney falls to 2-1 on the season and had contributions from 9 different players, including: Rusher with 8 points, 6 added by Paige Mailahn and Kiara Dutenhoffer, Haidyn Skeen ending with 5 points, Straka and Hatcher wrapped with 4, while Province, Helmbrecht, and Avery Franzen all ended with 2.
The Bearcats have a quick turnaround taking on Omaha Northwest at 1 PM on Saturday in the metro. Hear the game on KGFW with pregame beginning at 12:45 PM.
