Ian Piper, Kearney v. Grand Island BBB (HAC Tournament) // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – The rivalry showdown ended in a big showing for the home team, as Kearney ran away with the first matchup of Kearney/Grand Island this season dominating 76-47. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered the second round of the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament as the top overall seed, having earned a 4-2 record to start their opening stretch of the season. Grand Island, however, was the ninth seed and upset eighth-seeded Lincoln High on Friday, Dec. 22 to earn a spot in the second round.
Kearney held a first round bye due to their seeding, as they began the contest in their first in-game action since Saturday, Dec. 16 when the Bearcats hosted Omaha Northwest.
The Bearcats did not show any signs of rust from their time away, exploding for the early lead. Grand Island’s defense would not give Kearney easy access to their usual three-point barrage, so the Bearcats pivoted to a more physical inside game. Kearney gritted and grinded to a 17-8 advantage in the opening quarter, led by Ben Johnson’s eight points.
Kearney v. Grand Island BBB (HAC Tournament) // Mitchell Brandt
The Bearcats slow attack continued into the second, as Kearney’s defense began to stifle the Islanders further. Mukadi Mukoma, Class A’s leading three point specialist entering the contest, was held without a triple until the fourth quarter and held to only three first half points. Meanwhile, Kearney’s defense turned turnovers into scores, and scores into runs. The Bearcats would go on a 19-13 advantage, allowing a few three pointers by GISH to fall, but still held their 36-21 lead into halftime.
As the game progressed, Kearney’s outside shooting warmed up until the heat fired up a three-point barrage. Karter Lee began the third quarter with a triple, as Jacob Webber and Johnson each connected on treys. Asher Endorf continued a strong inside game as well, while the Islanders were subdued to only two field goals and eleven points in the third quarter – seven of which came from the free-throw line.
Kearney v. Grand Island BBB (HAC Tournament) // Mitchell Brandt
The Bearcats would hold a 61-32 lead into the fourth quarter, as fouls and reserves put the Islanders back in to cut the deficit before Kearney ended with a 76-47 win.
Kearney (5-2) moves on in the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament and takes on Lincoln Southeast at Lincoln Southwest High School at 2:30 PM on Friday. KGFW’s pregame coverage is set to start at 2:15 PM from the home of the Silverhawks.
Grand Island falls to 4-5 on the year and will have their next contest be a rematch against Kearney in Hall County at Grand Island Senior High on Thursday, Jan. 4.
Baber Choul, Kearney v. Grand Island BBB (HAC Tournament) // Mitchell Brandt
SCORING:
KEARNEY: Webber (18 points), Endorf (18), Johnson (17), Lee (9), Turner Bertrand (6), Colt Straka (5), Ian Piper (3)
GRAND ISLAND: Mukoma (14), Karnouls (10), Choul (10), Ethan Coslor (4), Jaxon Bernal (2), Roady Mintken (2), Bode Albers (2), Reid Kelly (2), Yat Jengmer (1).
