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Kingsland girls basketball has won the last two SEC-West titles, capitalizing on Ellie Buchholtz’s junior and senior years. This year, it has had to be a much greater team effort. Courtesy of beating three SEC foes, the Knights are again in the driver’s seat to claim their division. Steve Hauser’s group started by beating Spring Grove 63-34. The Knights led 36-10 at halftime. Katelyn Hauser (13 pts), Anika Reiland (12 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 6 stls), and Shelby Beck (11 pts) got to double figures. It was the latter’s first game back after missing the previous three. Cassidy Redman chipped in 7 points (5-6 FTs). SG was led by Jordian Leahy (14 pts, 3-4 threes) and Katelyn Kraus (8 pts). Houston then came to town in a re-match of last year’s 1A final. The Knights never trailed, leading 34-22 at halftime. Houston only got within eight in the second half. Kingsland pulled away for a 73-45 win. Beck barely missed (18 pts, 6-7 threes) from deep to lead the way. Emily Miner (14 pts, 5-8 FGs, 4-6 FTs, 6 rebs) and Chantle Reiland (11 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts) also hit double figures. Kennedy Fenske chipped in 9 points (4-4 FGs, 1-1 FTs). A-Reiland had 4 (pts), 4 (rebs), 10 (asts), and 5 (stls). Sydney Torgerson (19 pts, 9-14 FTs, 5 asts, 4 stls) and Olivia Beckman (11 pts, 3-7 threes) led Houston (6-4, 10-8), which was without PG Priya Kingsley. Kingsland (8-0, 12-7) then trekked to GM for a big West matchup with the second place Larks (8-1, 13-3). The first half was tight with each team leading. The Knights led 27-25 at halftime. But they led by as many as 13 (49-36) in the stanza. GM then got as close as five (50-45). Kingsland prevailed 52-45. Junior point Anika Reiland (23 pts, 9-14 FGs, 4-7 threes, 5 rebs, 4 stls) was the only Knight in double digits. Miner added 9 points (4-5 FGs). GM was led by River Landers (17 pts, 5-9 FGs, 7-9 FTs, 6 rebs). Lauren Queensland had 8 (pts) and 11 (rebs), Kendyl Queensland 8 points. Kingsland had 16 assists on 19 made field goals, GM 10 on 14. Kingsland hit 9 of 22 threes (41%). GM was 7 of 20 (35%). The Knights were 19 of 47 from the field (40%), GM 14 of 47 (30%). The Larks won the glass 35 to 25, but lost turnovers 19 to 11. In 10 SEC games, GM has surrendered 50 points twice, both to Kingsland. All other SEC foes GM has held on 40, including seven on 30. Kingsland (9-0, 13-7) having swept the season series, has a two-game lead over Ryan Queensland’s Larks (8-2, 14-4) with four and three SEC games to play.