Basketball Recap: Jayla Merrill's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Lincoln Northeast over Kearney

Lincoln Northeast was the 76-54 winner over Kearney when they last played one another back in February of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Lincoln Northeast Rockets lost 66-44 to the Kearney Bearcats on Saturday. While losing is never fun, the Rockets can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska basketball rankings (they are ranked 144th, while the Bearcats are ranked 19th).

Several Rockets players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Jayla Merrill, who almost dropped a double-double on 12 points and nine boards. What's more, Merrill also racked up three assists, the most she's had since back in December of 2023. Brynna Renard was another key player, putting up five points and nine rebounds.

Even though they lost, Lincoln Northeast smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've managed all season.

Lincoln Northeast now has a losing record at 2-3. As for Kearney, the victory (which was their third in a row) raised their record to 6-1.

Lincoln Northeast wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 41-40 win against Lincoln East on the 2nd. As for Kearney, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 46-33 victory against North Platte on the 2nd.