GARDEN CITY, KANSAS – The Kearney High boys basketball team earned their fourth win on the season in Kansas on Monday evening, outlasting a feverish rush by the Garden City Buffaloes in the opening minutes to close out a 82-54 victory. Click here to listen the broadcast replay.
Kearney entered the contest at 4-4 on the year looking to get above .500 for the first time in 2022. Garden City entered at 4-2 with an explosive offensive rhythm that would prove to be troublesome for Kearney at the beginning of the contest.
The Buffaloes blew past Kearney in the opening moments, trading back-and-forth shots but going on an 8-0 run in the middle of the first quarter to lead 13-5. The Bearcats clawed their way back after Will Vanderbeek had back-to-back-to-back attacks at the basket to earn a quick six points on consecutive possessions. Outside shooting started to hit as well, with senior Jack Mundorf knocking down back-to-back triples. Reserve Karter Lee also added 5 points off the bench to relieve the scoring for Kearney, as they eked out a 19-18 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
KGFW Radio
The Bearcats then blew past Garden City with a 22 points second quarter. Mundorf continued his impressive run by hitting three more triples in the second quarter, while Vanderbeek was not to be outdone and added one of his own. Junior Jack Dahlgren added a triple of his own and began his attack at the basket with another lay-in. Garden City had one of their own get hot, as Tae Rosales exploded for 11 of the 15 points scored in the quarter by the Buffaloes. Rosales’ run wasn’t enough to take a lead however, as Kearney led 42-33 entering halftime.
KGFW Radio
The second half was all Kearney from the start, as Mundorf and Vanderbeek both added triples again, while Kaden Miller erupted for 9 points of his own. Garden City was outpaced 25-13, and entering the fourth quarter trailed 66-46.
KGFW Radio
The fourth quarter was owned again by the Bearcats, as the Kearney defense made a stifling finish only allowing 8 points in the final eight minutes. Kearney closed out the contest with reserves in action, and won 82-54.
The Bearcats improve to 5-4 on the season. Kearney had contributions from Mundorf with 20 points, Vanderbeek finished with 16, Dahlgren had 12, Miller had 10, Lee ended with 9, Ben Johnson had 7 points, Tristan Maihlan and Treyven Beckman had 3 each, and Parker Wise had 2 points.
Kearney travels to North Platte on Thursday before closing the week with a home tilt against Lincoln Southeast.
