Friday Morning Sports – Bearcat Basketball Faces Norfolk, Former Husker Joins Loper Football Staff, Rhule Nabs Former Five-Star, OPS Settles With Deceased Player’s Family, NFL Playoff Schedule, Local Sports Schedule

KEARNEY BASKETBALL RETURNS TO FACE NORFOLK:

After a week-long rest for the Kearney basketball teams – including multiple snow days mixed in – the Bearcats face off against the Norfolk Panthers in doubleheader action at Kearney High School tonight. 

The Kearney boys aim to keep their winning ways going at 10-4 on the year coming off their victory over Omaha Bryan, while the Bearcat girls aim for their first win since Jan. 5 having lost their last three now at 8-7. 

Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 PM with the Kearney Girls and Norfolk. Tip-off is set for 6 PM. Listen to the game on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com with Austin Jacobsen on the call. 

FORMER HUSKER ERIC LEE JOINS LOPER FOOTBALL STAFF:

Nebraska Kearney head football coach Ryan Held announced today that Eric Lee Jr. will serve as a graduate assistant coach and work with the Loper secondary.

The former ‘Husker defensive back most recently was the Head of Football Operations at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif. Serving as UNL Football Camp instructor during his playing days, Lee Jr. worked in the private sector after graduation.

Lee Jr. spent five years (2015-19) at Nebraska, redshirting as a freshman and then appearing in 38 games over the next four seasons. He finished his career with 65 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions for 38 yards and one touchdown, five pass breakups and a blocked kick.

RHULE NABS ANOTHER FORMER FIVE STAR:

The Huskers added another big piece this week in former five-star and Georgia tight end Arik Gilbert.

The former No. 1 tight end in the country from the class of 2020 visited Lincoln last weekend. He was one of three Bulldogs the Huskers hosted, along with edge rusher MJ Sherman and tight end Brett Seither.

Sherman committed to the Huskers on Monday after his visit, while Seither chose to stay closer to home and committed to Georgia Tech. Gilbert becomes the 10th transfer player the Huskers have added to its roster.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Gilbert was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team after catching 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns in eight game while at LSU. He then transferred to Georgia, playing sparingly as part of back-to-back national champion teams. 

HUSKER SOFTBALL ANNOUNCES 2023 CAPTAINS:

The Nebraska softball team named its captains for the 2023 season, Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Tuesday. Seniors Courtney Wallace and Mya Felder and junior Abbie Squier will all serve as captains for the upcoming season. 

The Huskers 2023 season is set to begin at the Houston Invitational. The first game is set for Friday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. against Lamar. 

NEBRASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT SETTLES WITH DEAD PLAYER’S FAMILY:

A Nebraska school district has reached a $675,000 settlement with the family of a 16-year-old who died after collapsing in the heat at a football practice in 2021.

The Omaha school board will consider approving the settlement with Drake Geiger’s family at its next meeting on Monday.

Geiger died in August 2021 after collapsing during a practice with Omaha South High’s football team. The temperature was 91 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees that day, and the National Weather Service had issued a heat advisory.

An autopsy confirmed that excessive heat was the main factor in Geiger’s death although it also revealed that he had an enlarged heart that may have contributed to his death. The teen was 6-foot-3 and around 400 pounds when he died.

NFL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY:

AFC – #4 Jacksonville Jaguars @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs – 3:30 PM

NFC – #6 New York Giants @ #1 Philadelphia Eagles – 7:15 PM

SUNDAY:

AFC – #3 Cincinnati Bengals @ #2 Buffalo Bills – 2 PM

NFC – #5 Dallas Cowboys @ #2 San Francisco 49ers – 5:30 PM

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Girls Basketball: v. Norfolk @ Kearney High School – 6 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 5:45 PM
  • Boys Basketball: v. Norfolk @ Kearney High School – 7:45 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at conclusion of KHS GBB
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • Men’s Wrestling: @ Missouri Valley Invite @ Marshall, MO – 9 AM
  • Women’s Basketball: v. Dakota Wesleyan @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 5 PM
  • Men’s Basketball: v. Dakota Wesleyan @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 6:45 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Kearney High Girls Basketball v. Norfolk (5:45 PM – 7:45 PM)
  • Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Norfolk (7:45 PM – 9:45 PM)

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Swimming & Diving: @ Ralston Dive Invite – 9 AM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Swimming & Diving: @ Ralston Dive Invite – 9 AM
  • Wrestling: @ Centennial Conference – 10 AM
  • Girls Basketball: v. Aquinas – 1:30 PM
  • Boys Basketball: v. Aquinas – 3:30 PM
• UNK:
  • Wrestling: v. Northern State – 9 AM
  • Wrestling: v. Western Colorado – 10:30 AM
  • Wrestling: v. Adams State – 12 PM
  • M/W T&F: @ NW Missouri State Open – 12 PM
  • Women’s Basketball: @ Washburn – 1:30 PM
  • Men’s Basketball: @ Washburn – 3:30 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE: 
  • M/W T&F: @ Polar Dog Invite @ Concordia – 10 AM / 1 PM
  • Men’s Wrestling: @ Missouri Valley Invite @ Marshall, MO – 9 AM
  • Women’s Basketball: v. Jamestown @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 1 PM
  • Men’s Basketball: v. Jamestown @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 2:45 PM
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Nebraska Men’s Basketball @ Penn State (12:15 PM – 4 PM)

SUNDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a
• KGFW Sports Schedule:
  • Nebraska Women’s Basketball v. Maryland (12:45 PM – 4 PM)