KELSEYVILLE — No one was more impressed with the play of the Middletown High School junior varsity boys” basketball team on Friday night than was Kelseyville coach Scott Mandeville.
“They let us know why they were undefeated,” Mandeville said following the Mustangs” 73-54 victory in North Central League I North action, a win that wrapped up the league title for Middletown (7-0 North, 19-0 overall).
Needing a win to climb back into the North race, the Knights (14-9) appeared on their way late in the first half as they pulled to within six points of the Mustangs, who then bumped that advantage up to 10 by halftime at 40-30.
But the rest of the game, and especially the third quarter, proved to be all Middletown as the Mustangs moved to within one game and one win of a perfect season under head coach Tom Knowles.
“I don”t think they missed a shot in the third quarter,” Mandeville said as the Mustangs outscored the Knights 25-4 in the period. “That JV team could go up to the varsity level and probably win its fair share of games.”
Bo Sheffer”s 26 points paced the Mustangs and Jereomy Hoefer added 12 points, nine assists and five steals. Other team leaders were John-Wesley Davis with 12 points, Brian Holt with nine points and eight rebounds, and Jacob Anderson with eight points.
Max Huff”s 26-point, 21-rebound effort powered the Knights.
“He was a boy possessed, but we couldn”t get any of his teammates to get on board with him,” Mandeville said.
Chris Augon added nine points and Dustin Thaxton had eight for Kelseyville.
Both teams close out their seasons tonight on the road. Middletown plays at Lower Lake in NCL I North action and Kelseyville travels to Petaluma to take on St. Vincent in NCL I interlock action. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. at each location.
