Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Ferguson a leader for Hastings College

Kimball’s Kendall Ferguson is proving to be a leader and a mainstay for the Hastings College Men’s Basketball Team. Although he is listed as a senior and a starter, the 6’5” former Kimball High standout is actually more like a red-shirt freshman, as far as his collegiate basketball goes.

Ferguson went to Hastings on a football scholarship, recruited as a quarterback prospect. He spent his first year trying to get playing time at that position. The following year he moved to an end position just wanting to get on the field and get playing time. Injuries took a toll with a shoulder problem hampering his football career. Last year, in his junior year, he was invited to join the basketball program. After years away from the sport, it took a while to get up to college standards, but he spent his junior year playing with the junior varsity team.

Broncos Coach Bill Gavers earlier this season praised Kendall for sticking with the program and for progressing to the point he has. “Not many young men would put in the time, as a junior, to play JV ball and the fact that Kendall did, shows his character,” Gavers said. Kendall has been a leader in several stat categories all season and this past weekend was no exception as he helped his Bronco Team to three upset wins over ranked foes.

It started at the Bellevue Classic Tournament the evening of Dec. 29 when Hastings won over 19th ranked Valley City State University out of Valley City, North Dakota with Kendall scoring a game high 17 points and pulling 8 rebounds to lead his team to a 91-70 victory. The following night they beat the host school, Bellevue University, ranked 13th in their division, 93-89 with Kendall scoring 20 points on 5/10 shooting with 1 trey from the field and 9/12 foul shooting. He had a double-double with 13 rebounds, along with 2 steals, 1 block and 3 assists.

This past Saturday evening, in a home contest, the Broncos upset 9th ranked Dakota Wesleyan 83-82 with Kendall scoring 17 points on 6/9 shooting from the field including 3/4 on attempted treys, and had 6 rebounds, was 2/2 at the line, and had 2 blocks.

Coach Gavers was quoted as saying “Kendall has been consistent all year. He’s just been great. He’s always focused and he’s a student of the game.” Thanks to the continued improved play of Ferguson and his team mates, the Broncos are now 11-4 on the season. They were to host Nebraska Wesleyan last night (Jan. 6) and will travel to Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa on Jan. 9. Their season continues through the latter part of February with possible later tournament playoffs.

Released Tuesday afternoon, the Great Plains Athletic Conference and Hauff Mid-America Sports proudly named Ferguson their player of the week.

 
 
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