CLOVERDALE >> Trying to bounce back from a 74-61 loss to Fort Bragg on Tuesday, the Kelseyville Knights did just that by edging the Cloverdale Eagles, defending North Central League I champions, 41-40 on Friday in varsity boys’ basketball action at Kelseyville.
“What a huge one for us,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said. “We lose a tough one at Fort Bragg and were at home against the league champions and I don’t think many people expected us to win.”
Kelseyville (1-1, 11-3) hasn’t lost consecutive games so far this season.
Kyle Ellis and Nick Pfann led the Knights with 10 points apiece. Hunter Beatty had only two on the night but they came late in the game, set up by an assist from Trey Conrad, to give Kelseyville a 41-37 lead with only seconds remaining.
Cloverdale sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“I challenged them to take a step up and they did,” Conrad said. “I can’t say enough about the effort of our kids.”
Kelseyville also won the JV game 55-44.
In other boys’ action Friday:
Clear Lake 35, Middletown 34
At Lakeport, Clear Lake squared its league record at 1-1 behind 11 points from Tanner Hutton. Three key steals late in the fourth quarter by Max De Leon allowed the Cardinals to run out the clock on a night when neither team could generate much offense.
Clear Lake (1-1, 9-5) led 19-15 by halftime but trailed 26-25 entering the final period.
Sam Pyzer’s eight points paced the Mustangs (0-2, 4-6).
Clear Lake won the JV game 51-45.
Upper Lake 68, RVC 49
At Upper Lake, Upper Lake beat Rincon Valley Christian to close out a 3-0 week.
“I don’t know how long it’s been since Upper Lake has beaten Rincon Valley Christian but it sure does feel good,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said.
Isaac Nevarez led the way with 26 points as the Cougars improved to 2-0 in the NCL II standings and 9-3 overall. Cody Rybolt added 14 ponts.
Upper Lake is enjoying its best season since the 2004-05 club finished 23-7 under former coach – and current Kelseyville head coach – Scott Conrad.
Upper Lake won in JV action 74-20.
Girls’ baskeball
K’ville 55, Cloverdale 54 (2 OT)
The Kelseyville Knights avenged one of their three losses on the season with a double-overtime victory over the Cloverdale Eagles in a North Central League I varsity girls’ basketball game on Friday night in Cloverdale.
Amazingly the Knights had just three players on the floor for the final two minutes of the second overtime because five Kelseyville players fouled out of the game. Alma Perez sank a key free throw to keep the Knights in the lead.
Freshman guard Payton Conrad led Kelseyville (2-0, 11-3) with 18 points and Riley Goff added 14.
Cloverdale beat Kelseyville 40-33 in the championship game of the Stokes Tournament hosted by the Knights back on Dec. 5.
Lower Lake 69, St. Helena 24
At St. Helena, the Lower Lake Trojans notched their first league win with an easy victory over the St. Helena Saints.
Aleia Milano led Lower Lake (1-1, 9-4) with 25 points and Ashlynn Mock added 11 points. Sophomore point guard Samantha Caires, who sustained a concussion in the Trojans’ league-opening loss to Middletown on Tuesday, missed the game but the Trojans received solid play at the point from Sequoia Dreyer and Katelyn Farrell. They combined for 10 assists
“We’ve gotten off to some slow starts this season but we put up 24 in the first quarter,” Lower Lake coach Bryce Brin said. “It was nice to see the girls respond without our starting point guard on the floor and to a problem we’ve been having.”
Lower Lake led 24-7 after the opening period and had the game all but won with a 43-14 halftime lead.
Shayna Pike had eight points for the Trojans.
