Winnetonka Contains Watkins in 57-55 Win

Conference leading scorer, Brennan Watkins’ 12-point game wasn’t enough to help the Bulldogs overcome the Winnetonka Griffins last Friday night. The Griffins came in 0-3 in conference with 7 consecutive losses. It was a game the Kearney Bulldogs were supposed to win. Kearney went to halftime down by 4 as the Griffins stayed aggressive in the second half for the victory.

TYLER CARR HAD 16 POINTS ON THE EVENING WITH TWO 3-POINTERS

Credit former Bulldogs Head Coach, Kirk Stegeman and the ‘Tonka coaching staff for drawing up a game plan that cooled Watkins’ hot-handed 25-point per game average. The Winnetonka defense simply made it difficult for Watkins to score.

Head Coach Dillon Starzl isn’t making excuses. "We have to realize that each night we step on the floor we have a target on us. That comes from being 10-5 and having the leading scorer in the Suburban Conference (Watkins). Teams continue to throw different defenses at us night in and night out. Friday, we played scared to lose and we didn't compete like we did versus Smithville on Tuesday and Platte County on Wednesday."

Despite the loss, Ashton Holloway had a nice evening with 21 points and Tyler Carr had back-to-back 3-pointers capping 16 total points in the contest.

Kearney moves to 2-2 in the conference and 10-5 overall. The Bulldogs take on Raytown South in the Kearney Fieldhouse next Friday, January 29. Kelly Gentry and Dan Hermon will have the live play-by-play broadcast on 102.7FM beginning with the 6:45 pre-game show.

KPGZ Sports – Mike Davis contributed to this story

GRIFFIN DEFENDERS HELD BRENNAN WATKINS TO 12 POINTS ON FRIDAY