KELSEYVILLE >> Signed, sealed and delivered it’s theirs.
The Kelseyville Knights are the undisputed champions of the North Central League I after turning back the St. Helena Saints 60-54 on Tuesday night in the regular-season finale for both of these varsity boys basketball teams.
Kelseyville (13-1 league, 22-4 overall) needed a win to lock up solo ownership of the league title with Cloverdale just a game behind in the standings entering play.
“I’m really happy for these kids.,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said. “We’ve had a fantastic season so far with the playoffs in front of us. This team has a lot of talent and has achieved its potential. That’s a rare thing.”
Next up for the Knights is the NCL I postseason tournament on Thursday and Saturday at Mendocino College in Ukiah. The outcome of the single-elimination mini-tourney matching the league’s top four finishers has no bearing on the league race. It will boost the playoff stock of the winning team heading into the North Coast Section playoffs next week. The at-large and seeding meeting takes place Sunday.
Kelseyville won its final 12 league games after dropping a 73-60 decision at Cloverdale on Jan. 6. Including a non-league victory against El Molino, the Knights have reeled off 13 consecutive victories. They beat the Eagles 59-56 in a rematch Jan. 31 at Kelseyville.
Kyle Ellis led Kelseyville with 29 points and 10 rebounds while Ean Valenzuela added 14 points.
“They probably played the best games of their careers,” Conrad said. “It was a good time to give their best effort.”
Four players did all of Kelseyville’s scoring. Besides Ellis and Valenzuela, Trey Conrad had 12 points and Randy Pfann five.
“We weren’t super sharp tonight but we were able to grind one out and got it done,” Conrad said.
