GRAND ISLAND — Class A No. 8-rated (Omaha World-Herald) Lincoln North Star built a 29-6 lead early in the second quarter on its way to a 72-34 road victory at Grand Island Friday night.
Victor Fisher Jr. scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Islanders (1-3), who were playing in their home opener. No other players reached double figures in scoring for Grand Island, which shot 31.8% (14 of 44) from the floor and committed 19 turnovers — six of them coming in the first quarter as the Navigators took a 21-4 lead.
Jordan Castor led all scorers for North Star (1-1) with 21 points to go with five rebounds and four assists. Rieal Acin finished with 11 points, Goay Gatwech had nine points and J’Shawn Afun scored eight for the Navigators, who hit 10 3-pointers.
The Islanders had a chance to get back into the contest when Fisher’s basket inside cut North Star’s lead to 37-21 with 5:01 left in the third quarter. However, the Navigators responded with a 13-0 run that was capped by three 3-pointers in a 58-second span.
Leading 57-31, North Star outscored the Islanders 15-3 over the final five minutes.
Grand Island returns to action Saturday with a 6:45 p.m. road game at North Platte. Lincoln North Star, which lost its season opener 50-47 at Lincoln Southeast on Dec. 6, is scheduled to play its home opener at 3:45 p.m. Saturday against Millard North.
Lincoln North Star (1-1)…….21 14 17 20—72
Grand Island (1-3)……………..4 12 11 7—34
LINCOLN NORTH STAR—Jakeyce Fowler 4, Rieal Acin 11, Mekhi Wayne-Browne 3, William Schafer 7, Jordan Castor 21, Sam Schaefer 2, Goay Gatwech 9, J’Shawn Afun 8, Kobe Kerr 2, Justin Anderson 3, Jarvarius Welch 2.
GRAND ISLAND—Babur Choul 5, Victor Fisher Jr. 20, Ethan Coslor 2, Broxton Barrientos 2, Cody Garrett 2, Miles Nelson 3.
