KELSEYVILLE >> It was the longest 34 seconds the Kelseyville Knights ever played.
But they emerged from those 34 seconds with what may be remembered as the greatest game of coach Scott Conrad’s career at Kelseyville.
The Knights’ tensely fought 64-60 win over Willits gave them a tie with the Wolverines for second place in the North Central League I boys’ basketball standings. It should go a long way in proving to whoever decides this kind of thing that Kelseyville should be seeded into next week’s North Coast Section Division IV tournament. The Knights are 17-4 overall and 9-4 in league to Willits’ 19-6 and 9-4.
It was not an easy win, but it was an inspired one.
“Yeah, yeah, really it is,” Conrad responded to the question of whether he regarded this victory as his most important at Kelseyville.
“I think about two years ago when we were 3-and-22 I told the seniors on that team that you need to feel a part of the success that’s maybe going to happen in a couple of years. They had the character that kept our program going forward,” Conrad added.
But Conrad also credited point guard Nick Pfann for providing inspiration. Pfann, who was playing with an injured wrist that kept him out action last week scored six points.
“I didn’t know he scored,” said Conrad. “But it was nice to have him back. He’s about 85 percent healthy, but I don’t think we win that game without him. He’s banged up and hurt and he wants to be out there. It was great leadership on his part.”
Pfann played a role in the aforementioned final 34 seconds when Willits seemed to be about to steal a victory — a game in which Kelseyville led by as many as 14 points (44-30, 46-32) early in the second half. The Knights forced nine turnovers in the second quarter.
There were 34 seconds remaining when the Wolverines’ Will Smith made a 3-point field goal that turned into a four-point play when a Knight fouled him on the shot. That brought the score to 58-57 Kelseyville.
In the end, Kelseyville won it from the free-throw line with Victor Fernandez and Kyle Ellis combining to go 6-for-6 in the last 24 seconds.
“I thought if we keep making free throws we’re going to be OK,” said Conrad.
“We made (the Smith trey) a silly play by fouling. But what I cared about was those last 34 seconds and they did a good job.”
Both teams have one league game remaining. Willits coach Duane Nelson waved off any concern about how the loss could affect the Wolverines’ chances of playing in the postseason.
“I think we got a pretty good shot,” Nelson said. “We’re tied with Kelseyville.”
The Wolverines also have more wins than the Knights — 19 going into their final game.
High scorers for Kelseyville were Brandon Huber with 16 and Kyle Ellis with 15. Nick Johnson led Willits with 15.
