KELSEYVILLE — A 15-3 fourth quarter pushed the Kelseyville Knights to a hard-fought 50-36 win over Leadership of San Francisco in a first-round varsity boys” game Thursday night at the 36th annual Stokes Invitational Basketball Tournament in Kelseyville.
“We were pretty ugly most of the night offensively and some of it was due to them,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said of Leadership. “They had two guards who were pretty quick.”
Kelseyville (8-2) carried a 35-33 lead into the fourth quarter before finally getting its fast break working. Mike Duman and Isaac McQueen led the charge, grabbing rebounds and making strong outlet passes.
The Knights” defense also proved stingy again, according to Conrad.
“A lot of games I scratch my head and wonder how we won the dang thing, but our defense plays so well,” Conrad said. “Tonight in the fourth quarter with the game on the line we didn”t give them much.”
Kelseyville also caught a break when Leadership”s leading scorer, Justin Salinas (15 points), fouled out in the fourth quarter.
McQueen”s 14 points led the Knights, Nick Schaefer added 12 and Peter Wotherspoon had nine.
“Nick and Peter both had good second halves for us,” Conrad said. “Nick had a great game for us tonight ? he”s done a solid job for us all year.”
Duman”s nine rebounds led the Knights and McQueen had eight. Sal Martinez dished out five assists.
Kelseyville plays Burton tonight at 6 p.m.
In other first-round games:
Burton 52, Healdsburg 41
Phillip Blueford scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Burton High School of San Francisco past the Healdsburg Greyhounds.
Burton broke open a close game at halftime by outscoring Healdsburg 20-10 in the third quarter.
Robert Haun”s 14 points paced the Greyhounds.
Ferndale 55, El Molino 54 (2OT)
Jake Morris scored all six of Ferndale”s points in the second overtime as the Wildcats outlasted the El Molino Lions.
Morris scored two baskets and hit two free throws in the second overtime.
Morris led a balanced Ferndale attack with 13 points, Kyle Miranda added 12 and Bruce Titus had 10.
Kyle Mills led El Molino with 24 points.
Valley Christian 64, St. Vincent 61
Max Hopper scored 21 points and Austin Simon added 20 as Valley Christian of San Jose turned back St. Vincent of Petaluma.
Daniel Hanson-Hirt paced St. Vincent with 20 points and Tom Siragusa added 16.
Tim Harris had 13 points for Valley Christian.
