Two more squads fell by the wayside as Kingsland’s boys basketball kept its record into mid-January perfect. A battle with LeRoy-Ostrander (5-1, 5-6) represented a contest between first and third place teams in the SEC-West with Southland (6-1, 7-2) in second. But division leader #17 in Class A Kingsland (6-0, 7-0) proved its sword sharp (despite still being without Jayden Brink). The Knights used a defense and turnover-fueled quick 7-0 run late in the first half to break out for a 27-11 lead. They led 33-13 at halftime. The Cardinals scored the first 10 points after intermission (33-23) to claw back into it. With it 42-30, Kingsland scored 15 straight points to put it away. John Fenske’s group prevailed 62-33. Kingsland’s defense held L-O to 24% shooting (12 of 51) including 5 of 26 in the first half. The Cards were 2 of 19 from deep (11%) for the game. Kingsland also dominated the boards 58 to 31. Junior Max Erdman (16 pts, 15 rebs, 3 stls, 3 blks) had a big all-around game including throwing down a dunk that started the Knights’ key first half run. Courtland Drury-DeBoer (12 pts, 7 rebs) also hit double figures. Sam Snitker (8 pts), Parker Johnson (7 pts, 8 rebs), and Ayden Howard (7 pts) helped. Camden Hungerholt (16 pts, 8 rebs, 5 stls) led L-O, helped by brother Reid (8 pts). Kingsland then took the long trip to take on Wabasha-Kellogg. The Falcons led 21-17 at halftime, but the Knights out-scored W-K 40-26 in the second half for a 57-47 win. Kingsland was plus-eight at the charity stripe; 10 of 18 (57%) to W-K’s 2 of 3 (66%). Drury-DeBoer (16 pts, 7-11 FGs, 6 rebs) and Erdman (14 pts, 13 rebs) led the attack. The 6’4” junior forward Erdman posted his fifth straight double-double. Howard (11 pts, 7 rebs) and Kaaleem Reiland (8 pts) helped. Brink played some returning from an ankle injury. Kingsland (7-0, 9-0) leads the SEC-West over Southland (6-1, 8-2) and L-O (5-2, 5-7). The Knights’ next contest will be a tough one; versus East leading defending 1A #14 Champ Spring Grove (6-1, 8-1).
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