KEARNEY – Kearney could not get started fast enough, falling behind Creighton Prep and never getting back within reach to overcome the Junior Jays as the Bearcats fell in their season opener 52-47 at Kearney High School. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats entered the season energized to overcome the woes of their prior seasons and find a way to march to Pinnacle Bank Arena by season’s end. Despite losing four senior starters, the Bearcats returned a healthy dose of experience mixed with improving talent that had coach Drake Beranek excited for the future of the season ahead.
Meanwhile, Creighton Prep was entering the new season with optimism to continue the “reloading” season under coach Josh Luedtke. Having been in the 2022 Class A State Tournament Semifinals, the Junior Jays had some ammunition to replace but knew the structure was in place for a similar run this season.
The contest began with high energy in its pregame and crowd, but quickly dissipated after Creighton Prep won the opening tip and found an easy lay-in for Dillion Claussen in the opening seconds. After a fast Kearney turnover, PJ Newbill flushed home a silencing dunk and a timeout called from the bench of Kearney had the Bearcats stunned in the opening 90 seconds of play.
Karter Lee // Corbey Dorsey Photography
After the opening moments, Karter Lee began his forceful impact as he powered his way to six points in the first quarter. Despite Lee’s muscling for shots, Prep never relented and found deep shooting from bench player Josh Kearney, who sank back-to-back-to-back triples on consecutive possessions to balloon the Prep lead. It was all Junior Jays in the first, up 19-11.
As the second quarter started, Kearney clamped down defensively to outscore Prep 10-6 in the proceeding eight minutes. Jack Dahlgren began to find some offensive rhythm scoring once, while Ben Johnson found a three pointer and added another runner to score five. Prep was held to relying on reserve guard Marquis Toliver who added four points. Prep continued to lead heading into halftime 25-21.
Asher Endorf // Corbey Dorsey Photography
The third quarter added some excitement in trading opportunities, but Kearney could never get within less than three or four points without a quick answer by Creighton Prep. Heading into the final quarter trailing 37-31, the Bearcats looked to open their offense further.
Prep had other plans, as Newbill went after the Bearcats adding in 12 points in the quarter. That offensive showing gave Kearney fits on the opposite side attempting to keep within reach, as Dahlgren and Johnson carried the load. Johnson would add seven more points in the quarter, but the game continued to stay out of arms reach for the Bearcats as they fell 53-47.
The Bearcats had contributions from Johnson with 16 points, Dahlgren ending with 13, Lee had 9, Asher Endorf with 6 points, and Treyven Beckman concluding with 3.
Kearney drops to 0-1 on the season and will face Millard South after the Patriots lost on a late three-pointer to Lincoln North Star Thursday night. The game will be played at Creighton Prep with tip-off set for 1:30 PM. KGFW will broadcast the game with pregame beginning at 1:15.