Youth Basketball Returns to Kearney for Fall 2025

Kearney Parks & Recreation is gearing up for another season of youth basketball, inviting local children in grades 1-6 to join the fun and competition this fall and winter. The season promises an inclusive and exciting experience for all participants, with teams open to both boys and girls.

Practices for the 2025 season are tentatively scheduled to begin in late November, with actual dates depending on final team numbers and registrations by the cutoff date. Games will take place on Saturdays at Hawthorne Elementary School, while weekday practices will be held at various elementary schools across Kearney, with times and locations determined by gym and coach availability.

The league is divided into three divisions based on grade: 1st–2nd, 3rd–4th, and 5th–6th. All teams are coed, and no team transfers will be permitted, ensuring the integrity and community spirit of the league. The program also emphasizes accessibility, offering confidential scholarships for families facing financial hardship. Those interested in scholarship options can contact Ryan Marcotte at 816-903-4730 for further information.

Registration is now open for the upcoming season. Regular registration runs from Wednesday, October 8, 2025, through Sunday, November 16, 2025, with a fee of $100. Late registration is available from Sunday, November 9, 2025, to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at a cost of $115 to $120. The season itself will span from Monday, November 17, 2025, to Saturday, February 21, 2026. For friends eager to play together, a buddy system is available, allowing players to pair up as long as both parties select each other during registration.

Kearney Parks & Recreation encourages all eligible youth in the community to sign up, make new friends, and enjoy a spirited basketball season this fall and winter.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Lions Club Offers Flag Retirement Ceremony

The Kearney Lions Club and local Scouts are inviting the community to a special flag retirement ceremony on Sunday, November 16th, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mack Porter Park in Kearney.

The event, hosted in partnership with Scout Troop 397 and Pack 397, will honorably retire a number of United States flags that are no longer fit for display. Organizers say the ceremony is an opportunity to show respect for the nation’s symbol and to teach younger generations about the meaning behind it.

Community members are also encouraged to bring their own worn or damaged flags to be retired properly during the event.

It’s an informal gathering — “come when you can and leave when you must” — so residents are welcome to stop by at any time between 2 and 5 p.m. The Lions Club and Scouts say all are invited to take part in this patriotic and respectful community tradition.

Undefeated Bulldogs are Conference Champs – Again

The Kearney Bulldogs took care of business on a chilly Thursday night with a 63-6 win over the Excelsior Springs Tigers. In their final game of the regular season the Bulldogs rushed for 283 yards and passed for 158 more, emerging as the Suburban Blue Conference champions and establishing themselves as the one-seed with a first-round bye in the Class-4, District-8 playoffs.

Senior starting quarterback Carter Temple was 4 of 8 for 80 yards passing. Photo by Eric Stevens.

“I'm so happy our district moved the game up a day,” said head coach Logan Minnick. “What an unbelievable weather night for football and for senior night for all the activities involved.”

“I think we had seven or eight different people score touchdowns tonight,” said Minnick. “That's always fun. I'm so proud of our kids, you know this is three undefeated seasons out of four, and you know those are hard to get. You've got a senior class with three of them. I’m so proud of the kids’ effort and glad we got to honor them tonight.”

Kearney got the entire roster involved in this senior night blow-out. Twelve different players contributed to the rushing total, including some underclassmen and senior defensive players, who throughout the season, had limited opportunities to touch the ball on offense. Senior running back Kendahl Davis carried the ball 11 times for 61 yards and led the team with two touchdowns. Senior defensive linemen Isaac Beaver and Jackson Leigh-Kent both scored rushing touchdowns on short yardage plunges into the end zone. Senior cornerback and backup quarterback Brad Doll scored on a 6-yard carry to the end zone.

Dryden Hendrix ran for 68 yards and a touchdown. Lindsey Matthew had one 20-yard carry. Freshmen, Colt Weymann had two carries for 37 yards and Landry Parks ran for seven. Senior running back Corbin Emmons had 34 yards rushing and a 51-yard touchdown reception. Sophomore running back, Cruise Emmons carried for 18 yards.

Senior starting quarterback Carter Temple was 4 of 8 for 80 yards passing and stepped aside in the second half for Brad Doll who was 3 of 3 for 66 yards. Later in the game, sophomore Caden Webster was 2 of 2 for 12 yards.

On special teams, Drew Nelson was 7 of 7 on point-after kicks. Kale Tucking had a 56-yard punt return for touchdown. Defensively, sophomore Byrom Braxton had two interceptions.

“We were very excited that we got every single healthy kid that was on the sideline in the game tonight,” said Minnick. “And that’s including we dressed six freshmen tonight.”

District playoffs begin next Thursday, October 30. With their first-round bye, the Bulldogs will face the winner of Van Horn vs. Excelsior Springs on Friday, November 7. District playoff brackets can be found at MSHSAA.org.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Kearney Earns Shutout Victory Over Belton Pirates

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team claimed a decisive 7-0 win against the Belton Pirates on Saturday October 25, powered by a stellar performance from pitcher Kate Landewee. Landewee threw a complete game shutout, holding Belton scoreless and demonstrating exceptional control throughout the matchup.

The second inning proved pivotal, with Kearney’s offense erupting for five runs. Caroline Jury sparked the rally with a single that drove in two. Reese Narron followed with an RBI single, and Brooke Paalhar drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run. The scoring continued when Alyssa Quick hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing one more run to cross the plate.

Belton’s pitcher, Courtney Bandy, took the loss after three and one-third innings of work. She allowed seven runs—only two of which were earned—on six hits, striking out one batter and issuing four walks during her time in the circle.

Kearney’s lineup showed impressive depth, highlighted by number seven hitter Chloe Garrett, who led the team with two hits in three at bats. Jury and Paalhar each drove in two runs, helping to cement the team’s dominant offensive showing. Patience at the plate also paid off for Kearney, as the team drew six walks, with Paalhar and Narron each earning two free passes.

For Belton, Aryana Roberts and Delilah Miles provided some offensive sparks, collecting one hit apiece while batting back-to-back in the lineup. The Pirates also executed a double play in the game, showcasing their defensive skills despite the loss.

Kearney’s strong pitching and timely hitting proved to be the difference, with Landewee’s shutout anchoring the team’s success. The victory highlights the depth and discipline of the Bulldogs as they continue to build momentum this season and travel to Springfield on Thursday, October 30 to face St. Francis Borgia in the State Semifinal game.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Secure Fourth District Title with Shutout Victory

The Kearney Bulldogs clinched their fourth consecutive district championship on Tuesday, October 21, delivering a dominant performance against the Platte County Pirates with a 9-0 shutout victory.

Senior Alyssa Quick powered the Bulldogs’ offense, blasting two home runs and driving in four runs. Quick’s first homer came in the opening inning, sending the ball over center field and putting Kearney on the board with a two-run shot. She struck again in the third, launching another home run to center and adding two more runs to the scoreboard.

Pitcher Kate Landewee was unstoppable in the circle, throwing a complete seven-inning shutout. Landewee racked up 17 strikeouts, holding Platte County scoreless and keeping their batters off balance throughout the game. The senior pitcher also broke the Kearney High School record for single season strikeouts. The old record stood at 208. Landewee now has 225 strikeouts.

Kearney’s bats stayed hot through the early innings. In the second, Kate Stumpenhaus added to the lead with a solo home run to left field on a full count. By the end of the third inning, the Bulldogs had built a comfortable cushion, while Platte County struggled to generate offense.

Platte County pitcher Danica Salisbury took the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits over four and two-thirds innings. She struck out one and walked six. The Pirates managed only one hit during the contest, with Bryli Seifert going one-for-two at the plate.

The Bulldogs showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks during the game. Both Quick and Caroline Jury led the team with two walks apiece. Quick and teammate Brooke Paalhar each collected two hits, helping Kearney control the tempo and keep the pressure on Platte County’s defense.

With this victory, Kearney adds another district championship to their record and moves forward with momentum into a run for the State Title. The Bulldogs will face the Belton Pirates on Saturday, October 25, in the Class 4 State Quarterfinal round.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.