KELSEYVILLE >> While they’re not in first place as the North Central League I varsity boys’ basketball race arrives at the midway point in 2015, the Kelseyville Knights are in a better position to win a championship than they have been in years following a 80-75 overtime victory over the St. Helena Saints on Tuesday night in Kelseyville.
Victor Fernandez scored 27 points with five 3-pointers and Kyle Ellis added another 19 points with four 3-pointers as Kelseyville improved to 5-2 in the league standings and 13-5 overall. With the first half of their league schedule now complete, the Knights find themselves one game behind Cloverdale (6-1) and Willits (6-1) in the NCL I standings.
“They are big and their size really bothered us,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said of the Saints (2-5).
In a game that went back and forth, the Knights trailed 68-65 with 11 seconds remaining in regulation when Brandon Huber buried his only 3-pointer of the night to tie it.
“I was trying to get a timeout when he hit it,” Conrad said.
St. Helena played for a final shot but Fernandez stole the ball as time expired.
Ellis sank two huge 3-pointers early in the overtime to put the Knights ahead to stay.
Hunter Beatty had 10 points, all in the second half, that helped turn momentum in Kelseyville’s favor.
“We did a better job of getting the ball inside in the second half,” Conrad said. “I thought it was the difference in the game.”
Kelseyville also got a nice effort off the bench from Nick Pfann, who had seven points, seven assists and six steals.
“One of his best performances of the season,” Conrad said.
