Jacob Webber, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Lincoln North Star 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – Despite the Navigators best efforts, Kearney failed to succumb to the North Star pressure. The Bearcats fended off their conference foe in a 67-51 win with an efficient night from two of their top scorers. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats were well aware of their new stretch of the season, facing opponents with winning records in six of their next seven games including a combined 66-32 record entering the Friday night tilt with Lincoln North Star. Kearney was laser-focused on finding their tenth win on the season, and hoped to overcome a young, fiery, and dangerous North Star squad that earned a state tournament bid a year prior.
Kearney’s focus paid off in the early stretch, as the Navigators gave up early points to the usual suspects for the Bearcats; Asher Endorf, Jacob Webber, and Ben Johnson each contributed in the opening period to put Kearney up early. Endorf led the way with an aggressive effort contributing six points including two free throws. Johnson had the first long-range knockdown, while Webber earned his first points on a runner inside. The Bearcat defense was stifling as well, shutting down most open looks while North Star’s Jordan Castor hit a fadeaway triple as time expired to bring the game to a 13-8 first quarter finish.
Colt Straka, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Lincoln North Star 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
The Navigators would outscore the Bearcats 19-12 in the second period, but Kearney’s Jacob Webber kept the Bearcats ahead with electric play-making outside. The sophomore hit three triples in the period, and was fouled on a contested outside shot to bring in three more points. Endorf also had another four points, while Karter Lee and Ben Johnson dished out assists to boost the Kearney lead back to double-digits. The Navigators, however, relied back on their trustworthy senior as KG Gatwech began to heat up. The lone senior on the squad, Gatwech had eight points in the second quarter and fueled his passionate play with assists to his teammates. Castor had another three pointer, and Rieal Acin pounded moves inside for four points. Kearney’s lead had dipped, as the Bearcats remained up 35-27.
A slower third quarter for each side had some sloppy plays and plenty of turnovers, but Kearney trusted the “shared ball” approach with four different contributors. Gatwech added three points in the period, but Chewy Thoat’s five points – including a three pointer – still gave life to the Navigators despite a ten point deficit into the final period.
Webber’s finest work had yet to come, as the long-range threat began to find open space and quickly launched up strikes from the outside to ease North Star to bed. Webber had four three pointers in the final frame, ending his day with 28 total points while allowing Endorf to bully more inside moves and force fouls on North Star. The Navigators began to foul late to keep within reach, but the senior forward calmly knocked down each charity stripe shot of the contest – going a perfect ten-for-ten – and ending his day with 22 points.
Asher Endorf, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Lincoln North Star 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
The Bearcats would outgun the Navigators 20-14 in the fourth, leading to their 67-51 win.
Kearney is now 10-3 and awaits defending state champion Bellevue West on Saturday evening, as KGFW’s pregame is anticipated to begin around 6:15 PM. Hear Kearney on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
Lincoln North Star falls to 6-6 on the season and returns home to face Omaha Benson on Saturday.
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Kearney: Webber (28 points), Endorf (22), Johnson (9), Colt Straka (6), Turner Bertrand (2)
Lincoln North Star: Gatwech (11 points), Castor (11), Jakeyce Fowler (6), Lazerek Houston (6), Thoat (5), Sam Schaefer (4), Will Schaefer (4), Acin (4)
Karter Lee, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Lincoln North Star 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
