Ian Piper, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – The A-7 District Tournament was off to a rough and scrappy start between the Kearney Bearcats and Grand Island Islanders, as Ian Piper’s six three pointers proved to be the difference maker with the home team advancing in the A-7 District Tournament, winning 52-38. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney High entered as the No. 1 seed in the A-7 District, ending the regular season as the seventh overall team in Class A PowerPoints. The Bearcats top spot earned them the right to host the district outright, as long as Kearney handled their business against their local rival. The third-matchup of the season between Kearney and Grand Island was ready to erupt in a packed house at Kearney High School on Saturday evening.
The Islanders used their eight days of preparation to even the playing field early in the contest. Head Coach Jeremiah Slough’s aggressive defense forced Kearney’s best scoring threats – Ben Johnson and Jacob Webber – into man-to-man matchups while the three remaining defenders would force zone looks. The strategy was strong early, as the Bearcats struggled to get any offensive momentum in the opening eight minutes.
The zones would open up chances inside for senior Asher Endorf, as he and Colt Straka would begin the scoring for the Bearcats. The early slog offensively did give Grand Island open looks, as Ethan Coslor connected on five first quarter points including a three pointer. Mukadi Mukoma would add his own fadeway triple, but not before the early shot-making by Piper. The first three pointer for Kearney on the night dropped in, but would not be able to push the Bearcats ahead as they trailed 10-9 entering the second quarter.
Karter Lee, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
The rock-fight continued into the second period, as Kearney’s defense stepped up to only allow eight points in the quarter. That included two three pointers by the Islanders; Broxton Barrientos connected on a step-back shot while Mukoma connected for his second triple. However, the story of Piper’s career day began brewing in a big way as the guard hit three three-pointers to take a Kearney lead back. The senior already had broken out his career high with 2:30 left in the quarter, forcing a timeout by Grand Island. Kearney would take a 22-18 lead heading into halftime.
The defensive strategy was working for Grand Island, as Kearney’s leading scorers on the season had been held scoreless in the first half. Johnson and Webber aimed to change that into the second half, as Webber connected on his first bucket to start the third quarter. After a foul behind the three-point line gave the sophomore wing another three points, Grand Island began their own run before a scoring drought caught up to both teams. Turnovers, defensive stops, and missed shots highlighted the mid-third period. While the scrap continued, Johnson piled on rebounds and box-outs, but some second-chance buckets slipped through Kearney’s hands. Mukoma would score on a lay-in, while Coslor cut through Kearney for his own bucket. The disjointed third quarter was taken in control by the visiting team 10-9, but the Bearcats led heading to the fourth 31-28.
Asher Endorf, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Grand Island’s chances fell by the wayside as Asher Endorf’s game picked up quickly in the final frame. Scoring nine of his seventeen points in the final eight minutes, Endorf worked his way with physical takes inside, jump shots inside the paint, and nailing free-throws when fouled. Likewise, Piper added a deep threat element connecting on two massive three pointers to push Kearney ahead by double-digits, proving to be too much for the Islanders to recover. Jaxon Bernal and Mukoma connected on late three pointers to fight back, but the final shot by Piper sealed the Islanders fate with less than two minutes to go, knocking down his new career high of eighteen points. Kearney worked out the last of the game, earning their 52-38 district semifinal win.
Kearney (17-6) now hosts No. 2 seeded Gretna on Tuesday night for the A-7 District Championship. Per current projections in Class A PowerPoints, the game is a “Win-or-go-home” matchup between the Bearcats and Dragons. KGFW will broadcast the contest with live pregame beginning at 6:45 PM with the tip-off from Kearney High School set for 7 PM. Listen to the Bearcats on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
Ian Piper, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
UNOFFICIAL KGFW SCORING TOTALS:
Kearney: Ian Piper (18 points), Endorf (17), Webber (9), Straka (6), Johnson (2)
Grand Island: Mukoma (13 points), Coslor (9), Barrientos (7), McDonald (4), Bernal (3), Choul (2)
Asher Endorf, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Karter Lee, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Jacob Webber, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
Asher Endorf, Kearney High Boys Basketball v. Grand Island A-7 District Semifinal 2024 // Mitchell Brandt