KELSEYVILLE >> The Lower Lake Trojans lost to the Kelseyville Knights 88-56 on Dec. 17 in the opening round of the 22nd annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic at Middletown. Now fast forward to nearly a month later.
The same two teams met up again in a North Central League I varsity boys’ basketball game on Friday night at Kelseyville, only this time it was the Trojans holding off the Knights 67-65, a win that moves Lower Lake to 3-1 in the NCL I standings and 7-7 overall.
“We made some huge adjustments before the game,” Lower Lake coach Shannon Tubbs said. “We moved (Hokulani) Wickard to point (guard) and (Marlon) Jones to shooting guard. It was the best game we’ve played on offense and defense all season.”
“All the credit to Lower Lake,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said as the Knights fell to 2-2 in league play and 12-4 overall. “They shot the ball well and they shot it from deep (making 10 3-pointers). When we didn’t get a hand in their face, they shot at a high percentage.”
Wickard, Ethan Watson and Jerod Alexander led the Trojans with 15 points apiece while Jones added 13.
“Jerod Alexander played a monster game, he dominated inside (with 15 rebounds),” Tubbs said. “Watson … he should start for us, but he gives us so much scoring off the bench that we need.”
Trey Conrad’s 23 points led the Knights, who cut an 11-point deficit to just two with 1:30 remaining. Kelseyville had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds, working the ball down near the 3-point line to Kyle Ellis, but he couldn’t handle the pass cleanly. He did get a shot off, and it went in, but after the buzzer.
“It was well after the buzzer,” Conrad said.
Conrad had six 3-pointers for the Knights, who had 11 on the night. Nick Pfann finished with 20 points and Ellis had 10.
“We just need to regroup and come back strong,” Conrad said.
Kelseyville did win the junior varsity game 42-36.
