KEARNEY – Coming off of a rivalry win over North Platte on Wednesday night, the Kearney girls basketball team fought through first quarter adversity to shore up their offensive drought and blow past Grand Island for a 64-16 win at home Thursday night. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats would be without Kiara Dutenhoffer – the team’s leading rebounder – for the local rival contest, but entering the evening at 7-4, Kearney felt confident in their chances of taking down the Islanders. That confidence was tested early, as a three pointer by Grand Island was knocked in the opening minute by Nyaruot Wal to take an early advantage. The Bearcats responded with their own three pointer by junior Kennidy Garner to tie the contest at three all. An added score by Grand Island made the first quarter interesting, but Garner continued her scoring presence with a nine point burst while Maddy Province provided a score as well. The Bearcats were in the lead exiting the first up 13-7.
KHS GBB
In the second Kearney began to flex their advantages, especially on a mid-quarter run set up by Province’s three consecutive steals and scores to blow the lead open to 28-11. Kearney held the Islanders scoreless in the next six minutes of play, adding scoring from seven different players including four from Tatum Rusher and another triple by Garner. The Bearcats controlled the game into halftime up 35-11.
KHS GBB
The second half blowout continued as head coach JD Carson kept his starters in to push for the forty-point running clock, then allowed the reserves to earn scoring chances for the rest of the contest as the Bearcats moved to 8-4 on the year with their 64-16 win.
KHS GBB
Kearney improves to 8-4 on the season and heads into the Girls Basketball Showcase on Saturday facing off against one of the top teams not only in Class B, but also the state in Elkhorn North. Tip-off is anticipated for 8:30 PM from Kearney High School as the pregame start on KGFW is set for 8:15.
The Bearcats had contributions from Garner with 16, Rusher and Province with 10, Kelsey Hatcher and Alaina Jasnoch finished with 4 each, Harley Straka, Addie Snyder, Paige Mailahn, and Addy Helmbrecht ended with 3, and Haidyn Skeen, Avery Franzen, and Josie Murray all had 2.
