FREMONT – The set-up was simple: win and you’re in. Fremont did so over the Kearney Bearcats in the A-2 District Final, ending the Bearcats season with a 65-42 win at Fremont High School. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney had battled with Fremont back on February 12, falling late 74-62 due to Fremont’s late free-throws extending the lead further. The Bearcats were playing in the first District Final matchup in five years, with their last state appearance being back in 2017. Fremont was returning the bulk of a state runner-up squad from 2021 and looking to put a punctuation on their resume prior to a state tournament run.
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As the game tipped off, Kearney found early trouble that would blemish their chances from the get-go. After winning the tip, Kearney’s Kierstynn Garner brought the ball down the floor and was called for a travel less than 10 seconds into the game. Fremont followed the turnover with a score of their own, having Macy Bryant knock down two free throws. As the Bearcats tried to find their outside shot that had carried them all season long, Fremont gobbled up scores inside with Bryant adding another four points, while Emmalee Sheppard and Bella Keaton each added a runner. Kearney would finally break their scoreless mark with scores by Tatum Rusher and Haidyn Skeen, as Rusher hit a three-pointer to total five in the first quarter. Fremont’s Taylor McCabe – the best three-point shooter in Nebraska Girls basketball history, who had been held without a triple in the Bearcats and Tigers first matchup – hit a three pointer on her first shot from the far corner, and the Tigers blew up the first quarter leading 15-7.
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Kearney’s defense continued to keep pace with Fremont, but the Bearcats three-point shooting could not keep up the same pace as it had all season. McCabe was clutch in the second quarter, adding thirteen points including another triple. Kierstynn Garner found her rhythm with her first three pointer of the day, then muscling through for another four points. Tatum Rusher added three points in the quarter herself, as Kearney was outpaced 15-10 in the second quarter trailing 30-17 at the end of the first half.
As the third quarter kicked off, Fremont kept Kearney out of reach by starting the quarter on a 9-2 run. The Bearcats three-pointer connected again, this time by sophomore Harley Straka, but it was the only big shot hit at in the quarter. Kearney added scores from Rusher, Straka, Garner, and Maddy Province as the Bearcats continued to fight to stay in the game but Fremont’s talent flexed with McCabe adding another nine points and Sarah Shepard joining the scoring with six points. Kearney was stuck in a rut trailing 52-33 at the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter saw Kearney play in desperation mode as their season was closing on them, while Fremont played on cruise control; managing the clock with time-chewing possessions and scoring 13 to the Bearcats 9. Shepard added another five points in the final quarter, McCabe tallied up four as well, but a silver lining came nearing the end of the contest. Kierstynn Garner hit a three pointer from the left wing to total up 47 three pointers on her season, breaking the season record for three-pointers made in a season. Garner’s triple wasn’t enough to save the season however, and Kearney ended their year with a 65-42 loss.
The Bearcats have improved their record in each season under the helm of Head Coach Kyle Fletcher; going 5-20 in 2020, 10-11 in 2021, then ending 2022 with a 13-11 mark. Kearney had contributions from Kierstynn Garner with 16 points, Rusher ended with 12, Straka had 5, Province ended with 3, and Kaleigh Hatcher, Kierstynn Garner, and Haidyn Skeen had 2 points each.
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