ST. HELENA >> So much for 13 being an unlucky number. In Kyle Ellis’ case, it was a baker’s dozen worth of points that allowed him to reach 1,000 for his career on Tuesday night, unfortunately his team didn’t fare as well as the Kelseyville Knights closed out their North Central League I varsity boys’ basketball schedule with a 57-54 loss to the St. Helena Saints in St. Helena.
Kelseyville finishes the regular season at 19-7 and 9-5 in league. The Knights return to action Friday against Cloverdale in the opening round of the NCL I postseason tournament at Mendocino College in Ukiah. The winner advances to Saturday’s championship game at the same location.
Ellis didn’t stop at 13 points against St. Helena (2-12). The junior finished with a team-high 21. Career point No. 1,000 came on a jumper from the wing midway through the third quarter. He is the fifth player to reach the milestone this season and the second from Kelseyville, joining Middletown’s Ashlyn Welton, Upper Lake’s Natalie Karlsson, Clear Lake’s Taylor Helm and Kelseyville’s Riley Goff. It’s the first time the county has had five players score their 1,000th point in the same season. He is the 12th Kelseyville player and seventh boy to reach 1,000.
“St. Helena is better than their record and they played pretty well,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said. “It was as poor a defensive performances as we’ve had all season.”
Randy Pfann had 11 points for the Knights, who led 28-25 at the half but trailed 43-41 after three quarters.
“We weren’t super-focused today,” Conrad said. “And it wasn’t any one player. It was a team effort.”
