Bearcats take down Chargers and Freeze
By Coach Mark Johnson
KCC 85 – GG 47
The Bearcats girls basketball team continued to navigate through conference action on Monday, Feb. 3 in Grygla. KCC faced the Chargers for the second time this season and went in search of duplicating the results from early December when they beat the Chargers in Lancaster 86-49.
While the game had a different feel than the first matchup, the results were almost identical with KCC capturing the 85-47 win on the road. The first time around, the Chargers hung tight for most of the first half and only trailed 45-35 at the break. This time around the Bearcats took control in the opening minutes of play. KCC methodically and purposefully kept building an advantage as the first half progressed and they held a 45-25 lead at halftime.
The Bearcats remained focussed in the second half and never gave the Chargers a chance to fight their way back into the contest. KCC’s transition game stayed effective and they continued to knock down shots as the half wore on. The Bearcats shot 49.3% for the game while holding the Chargers to 28.6%. KCC cruised to the 85-47 win and remained undefeated in conference play.
We played a solid team game. The girls posted 25 assists on the night while only committing 13 turnovers. They did an excellent job of getting the ball in the right hands at the right time.
Scoring leaders: Morgan Turn 25, Kaydence White 20, Greta Kunzia 13, McKinley Folland 8, Lily Peterson 7, Afton Lindgren 6, Aliyah Vig 4, Berlyn Strege 2
Rebound leaders: Kaydence White 11, McKinley Folland 8, Afton Lingren 5, Morgan Turn 5
Assist leaders: Lily Peterson 7, Morgan Turn 4, Afton Lindgren 4, Kaydence White 4
KCC 76 – NF 50
KCC had their second go around with the Northern Freeze on Friday, Feb. 7. The Bearcats hosted the Freeze in Lancaster and celebrated parents’ night and senior recognition night. Like Monday against GG, KCC wanted to sweep the season series over the Freeze and repeat their early season performance in which they captured a 77-49 win.
The Bearcats felt a bit off to start the game and struggled to consistently stack up solid offensive possessions. Eventually, the Bearcat defense wore down the Freeze and the KCC transition game started to get the ball rolling. The pace of play favored the Bearcats and they steadily pulled away from the Freeze and posted a 36-22 lead at the end of the first half.
KCC found more offensive flow in the second half of play and did a better job of moving the ball around the physical and pesky Freeze defense. The Bearcat mistakes uncharacteristically came on the defensive end of the floor where they put the Freeze on the freethrow line 19 times in the second half. The Freeze scored 16 of their 28 second-half points from the foul line and prevented the Bearcats from sending the game to running time. KCC’s offense carried the team in the second half and they held off the Freeze to capture the 76-50 win.
We played solid, but not always inspired basketball. It just felt that we were a half step slow on too many possessions. We don’t get to take a night off. When teams face us we are going to get their best effort. We have to be at our best to counteract the focus and determination when teams come at us.
Scoring leaders: Morgan Turn 22, Greta Kuznia 20, Lily Peterson 8, McKinley Folland 7, Kaydence White 6, Berlyn Strege 5, Afton Lindgren 4, Hanna Warnke 4
Rebound leaders: Kaydence White 7, Hanna Warnke 6, Greta Kuznia 5, McKinley Folland 5
Assist leaders: Hanna Warnke 4, Greta Kuznia 4, Morgan Turn 3
KCC NO. 13 KAYDENCE WHITE goes for a layup against the Freeze. White had 6 points and 7 robounds in the game.
(Enterprise photo by Miranda Peterson)
KCC BEARCATS GIRLS worked the court hard against the Northern Freeze on Friday, Feb. 7 in Lancaster.
(Enterprise photo by Miranda Peterson)
KCC NO. 5 MORGAN TURN takes a three-point shot against the GG Chargers. Turn had 25 points in the contest, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. (KC Media Arts photo)
KCC NO. 22 GRETA KUZNIA blocks a Chargers player in action on Feb. 3. Kuznia had 13 points in the game.
(KC Media Arts photo)
