KELSEYVILLE >> Randy Pfann didn’t finish among Kelseyville’s scoring leaders on Tuesday night, but his contribution in the fourth quarter propelled the Knights to a come-from-behind 72-67 victory over the Clear Lake Cardinals in junior varsity boys’ basketball action at Kelseyville High School.
“We won the game that we needed to get to get to the next game,” Kelseyville coach Rich Facey said of a Friday showdown against North Central League I leader Lower Lake (9-2) at Kelseyville High School.
Kelseyville (8-3) can pull into a first-place tie with a victory over the Trojans, who beat the Knights in two earlier meetings this season — one in league play last month in Lower Lake and another in the Record-Bee Hoop Classic in December, also at Lower Lake.
“It seems like we always play them in Lower Lake,” Facey said. “It will be nice playing them at home. It’s a big advantage playing at home.”
Kelseyville and Clear Lake (7-4) entered play Tuesday tied for second place in the league standings and through three quarters it was the Cardinals in front 56-47.
“We had a number of kids really step up in that fourth quarter,” Facey said.
Pfann was at the top of the list. Held scoreless until the final period, he scored all seven of his points down the stretch.
“We really needed that,” Facey said. “He gave us a spark.”
Kelseyville’s passing game made the difference in the fourth quarter, according to Facey.
“We passed the heck out of the ball and shared the ball,” he said.
Trey Conrad scored nine of his team-leading 22 points in the final period. The Knights got another huge boost from Logan Barrick, who finished with 13 points and five assists. He was joined in double figures by Nate Carpenter with 14 points and Ean Valenzuela with 12.
Kelseyville finally overtook Clear Lake with 5:15 left in the game, pushing ahead 60-59. It was still a one-point game with 18 seconds remaining and the Knights clinging to a 68-67 advantage.
Max De Leon’s 24 points powered the Cardinals while Ryan Damiata and Cameron Borg finished with 14 apiece.
In other JV boys’ action Tuesday:
Lower Lake 62
Willits 39
At Lower Lake, NCL I leader Lower Lake snapped a two-game losing streak by pounding the Willits Wolverines. Garrett Chernoh led the way with 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Ethan Watson added 11 points as the Trojans improved to 9-2 in league and 17-6 overall.
Jermaine Watson and Tate Smith finished with eight points apiece.
Lower Lake needs a win at Kelseyville (8-3) on Friday to remain in sole possession of first place. Tip-off is 6 p.m.
“That should be one heck of a game,” Lower Lake coach Shannon Tubbs said.
Roseland Prep 55
Upper Lake 35
At Santa Rosa, Khalil George scored 10 points while JT Claunch and Robert Neels added nine apiece in Upper Lake’s NCL II loss to Roseland Prep.
Girls
Upper Lake 46
Roseland Prep 30
At Santa Rosa, Ashley Aceves led the way with 17 points as the Upper Lake Cougars rolled past Roseland Prep in NCL II girls’ action.
Brenna Sanchez contributed 13 points in the win.
Lower Lake 52
Willits 39
At Willits, Vanessa Hughes went off for 23 points and the Lower Lake Trojans rolled past the Willits Wolverines in NCL I action.
Shayna Pike had 10 points for the Trojans.
Clear Lake 49
Kelseyville 43
At Kelseyville, Clear Lake’s scorebook had the Cardinals with 54 points while Kelseyville’s had only 49, but either way it was a 23rd straight victory for coach Jamie Watkins’ squad.
Clear Lake improved to 11-0 in league and 23-0 overall with three games remaining.
Corin Alakszay led a balanced Clear Lake attack with 17 points. Valerie Hutton added 16 points and Camille Donald had 12.
