ST. HELENA — The St. Helena Saints” Cole-fired engine was running full throttle on Thursday night in a 53-43 victory over the Kelseyville Knights in a North Central League I interlock varsity boys” basketball game at St. Helena.
Cole Ballentine scored 31 points for the Saints. Included in that total were eight 3-pointers.
“Four of those were very well contested, the other four we just lost track of him,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said.
Ballentine hit three 3-pointers in row to fuel a Saints run in the third quarter and St. Helena went on to outscore Kelseyville 21-13 in the period for a 48-34 lead.
“That was the difference in the game,” Conrad said.
While Ballentine was enjoying a red-hot night from the field, the Knights struggled to find the range no matter where they were on the floor.
“We missed five or six shots point-blank and we were 4-for-17 from the free-throw line,” Conrad said. “I thought we outplayed them in every area except shooting the ball.”
Other than a few mental lapses against Ballentine, Kelseyville”s defense also turned in a strong effort, according to Conrad.
“I was really happy with the defense,” Conrad said.
Max Huff and Mike Allen both had double-doubles for the Knights. Huff finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Allen had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
“Allen probably played his best game of the year,” Conrad said
With a league game tonight at home against Lower Lake, the Knights went deep into their bench against the Saints to give their starters a breather.
“St. Helena did not distance themselves from us when they (reserves) were in there,” Conrad said of his bench players.
The Knights try for their second straight NCL I North win tonight against Lower Lake. Kelseyville is 2-3 and Lower Lake is 3-2.
