KEARNEY – The rivalry’s hype matched up with the intensity on the floor in Friday night’s contest between Kearney and Grand Island, as the Bearcats used a dominant third quarter to edge past a talented Islander squad and earn win number 11 on the year 57-50. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats came into the contest at 10-7 on the year riding a four game winning streak that began back on January 22 when Kearney downed Lincoln Southwest. Since the win over the Silverhawks, Kearney had wins over Omaha Northwest, North Platte, and Lincoln High. The talent and intensity kicked up a notch facing their long-time rival Grand Island, as the Islanders strolled into Kearney High with their own four game winning streak; collecting victories over Columbus, Bellevue East, Lincoln Northeast in overtime, and Omaha Bryan.
After Kearney won the opening tip-off in front of a packed crowd at Kearney High School, the Bearcats worked quickly to show off their sharpshooting skills. Four different Bearcats hit three pointers in the first quarter, as Will Vanderbeek got the party started early with his triple to give Kearney the early lead. Grand Island would not go away easily, as Kytan Fyfe drilled his own triple. Kearney’s barrage continued with Jack Mundorf hitting two threes, Jack Dahlgren adding one of his own, and Parker Wise being left wide open with his own three pointer hitting. The biggest name on the floor – Isaac Traudt, a future Virginia Cavalier and the No. 47 rated prospect by ESPN – was held scoreless by Kearney in the opening minutes until a fadeaway three pointer connected with Traudt finally scoring at the end of the first quarter. Bearcats won the first, leading 17-9.
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The Islanders were on a mission in the second quarter, gobbling up rebounds and using extra opportunities to get Dylan Sextro involved as he added six points in the quarter. Transfer guard Andy Poss also made his presence felt as he collected steals and stifled the Kearney attack at the top of the 2-3 zone defense. Kearney would continue their three-point shooting as Vanderbeek connected on his second triple of the day. Traudt added another three pointer and began to show his presence underneath with deflections, blocks, and commanding the middle lane. A thunderous block by Traudt on one possession ended into the arms of a streaking Vanderbeek however, with the senior center flying down the lane for a dunk over the highly-touted prospect. Those two scores by Vanderbeek would be the only scores for Kearney in the second, as the Bearcats allowed a late runner by Poss to end the half and Kearney entered the locker room trailing 25-22.
The third quarter was owned by Kearney as the Bearcats went on a 22-7 run with all five starters contributing points for Kearney. Vanderbeek continued his three point barrage with two more triples and a lay-in as well, with Parker Wise connecting a three-point play then hitting a triple of his own. Mundorf connected on another three pointer and Kaden Miller joined the fun with his first points of the contest on a – you guessed it – three pointer. Jack Dahlgren worked inside for a lay-in in the quarter also, but the Kearney defense seemed to figure out this Grand Island offense and shutting down Traudt only giving him two points in the quarter. Bearcats led heading into the fourth and final quarter up 44-32.
Holding the largest lead of the night, Kearney played tough and forced Grand Island to shoot their way back into the contest. The Islanders were up to the task as Barrett Olson began to hit three pointers from outside, knocking down back-to-back shots to bring his team back within two possessions. Cohen Evans also hit a triple, but the main force was Traudt, who drilled a fadeaway three pointer from the top of the circle as defenders were draped around him. Despite the valiant play by the hero Traudt, Kearney bowed up and calmly sent their stars to the free throw line to ice the game away. Kaden Miller connected on 3 of 4 charity stripe shots, and Jack Dahlgren’s slicing attacks adding another five in the final minutes as Kearney earned another win over Grand Island 57-50.
Kearney improves to 11-7 on the year and faces Omaha South on Saturday night. Contributions for the Bearcats include: Vanderbeek with 18 points, Jack Mundorf with 13, Parker Wise with 10, Jack Dahlgren had 10, and Kaden Miller finished with 6 points.
Grand Island falls to 7-9 on the season with contributions by Traudt with 17 points, Poss had 8, Sextro finished with 6, Olson had 6, Fyfe added 4, Evans, Riley Plummer, and Dru Hofeldt all finished with 3 points.
