The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Boys Basketball: West Central Area 71, Eagle Valley 67mud

Knights comeback falls short vs Eagle Valley

The Eagle Valley Rebels jumped out to a 30-13 lead. The Knights went on a 12-7 run to end the half pulling to within 37-25 and then continued to come back but ran out of time losing 71-67.

“We can see why Eagle Valley had such an outstanding football season with a lot of good athletes and several experienced seniors,” said Knight Coach Kraig Hunter. “You could see from the start that they were a veteran experienced team while we still had not adjusted to the speed and intensity of varsity competition.”

“However by the middle of the first half, we started to figure it out a little bit and we played outstanding from that point on. We just had dug to deep a hole. Most of that deficit came from our inability to finish shots and make free throws.”

The Knights were 3-9 from the free throw line in the first half and finished the game making 12-15 in the second half for 15-24 for the game (63%). The Knights hit only 25-68 field goals for 37%.

“We did do a good job with our press,” added Hunter. The Knights forced 27 turnovers including 4 charges taken while they turned the ball over 15 times. The rebounding battle was pretty close with the Rebels having a 37-35 advantage.

Eagle Valley hit 15-18 free throws for 83% and 25-51 field goals for 49%.

Dakotah Kashmark led four Knights in double figures with 20 points while adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Jeff Martinson had 15 points and 5 rebounds. Christian Thomasy (11 points and 10 rebounds) and Drew Peterson (11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, and 4 assists) were also in double figures. Adam Kaye added 6 points and 6 rebounds and Brady Combs added 4 points.

Game Notes

Eagle Valley scoring: Tate Benning 15, Neil Zimmer 15, Logan Reidel 11, Luke Mock 10, Jared Nelson 8, Taylor Bailey 8, and Tyler Oftedahl 4. Oftedahl also had 12 rebounds and Mock led with 4 assists.