KELSEYVILLE — Hipolito Perez answered two 3-pointers by Willits” Jesus Nunez with two of his own in the fourth quarter and the Kelseyville Knights snapped a five-game losing streak with a 62-57 victory over the Wolverines in a North Central League I North varsity boys” basketball game on Tuesday in Kelseyville.
The Knights (1-1 North, 6-12 overall) hadn”t won a game since Dec. 20 at the Record-Bee Hoop Classic in Lower Lake and had allowed 70 or more points in each of their last four outings.
“We”ve still got a ways to go with our intensity,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said.
Following a league-opening 71-51 loss to Fort Bragg on Friday, Conrad had a heart-to-heart talk with his players, letting them know that no one”s spot on the team is secure.
“Nobody”s got a set spot,” Conrad said. “They”ll be competing for them in practice every day.”
Perez, one of three Kelseyville players to score 14 points against the Wolverines — Nick Schaefer and Peter Wotherspoon were the others — immediately answered Nunez 3-pointers with treys of his own on two separate occasions in the fourth quarter.
Perez also pulled down four key rebounds in the final period.
“He was boxing out and getting rebounds,” Conrad said. “He played a phenomenal fourth quarter.”
Another standout was Mike Duman, who had seven points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.
“And he played everywhere on defense,” Conrad said. “It was another Mike Duman-like night.”
Schaefer and Wotherspoon combined to go 4-for-4 at the free-throw line down the stretch to hold off the Wolverines (1-1).
Kelseyville outscored Wilits 38-26 in the second half to wipe out a 31-24 halftime deficit.
Nunez led Willits with 23 points, including five 3-pointers.
