KELSEYVILLE >> With one last shot to get back into the North Central League I varsity girls basketball race, the Kelseyville Knights responded Tuesday night against the Cloverdale Eagles in Kelseyville.
Kelseyville (6-3, 15-6) had already lost once to Cloverdale this season and couldn’t afford another, especially after dropping both of its league meetings with archrival Clear Lake. While all of those losses were hard-fought battles, the Knights needed a big win and they came through with a 63-50 victory against the Eagles (8-1), who fell from the ranks of the unbeaten and dropped into a first-place tie with the Cardinals (8-1).
The Knights scored the game’s first 14 points and owned a 16-6 advantage after one quarter and a 35-11 halftime lead. There was plenty of contact on both sides and the two teams were in the bonus late in the first quarter. In fact, the Eagles were in the double-bonus by quarter’s end and the Knights joined them early in the second quarter.
“That’s usually how our games with them go,” Kelseyville coach Jim Hale said. “We play each other pretty tough on defense.”
While the Knights still need a little help if they’re going to find their way to the top of the league standings, they took the first step on Tuesday and no one was more appreciative of their effort than Hale.
“We’re going to need a lot of help and if other teams want to give us some help, that’s great,” said Hale, who is hoping the Knights can first help themselves by winning their final five league games.
“We’re only eight points away from being undefeated in league, but that’s how tough this league is this year,” Hale said of Kelseyville’s two overtime losses to Clear Lake and a four-point loss at Cloverdale earlier this month. “Tonight they put up 63 points on a great defensive team.”
Payton Conrad led the way with 20 points and her ability to neutralize Cloverdale’s pressure defense with her superb ballhandling was key, according to Hale. Grace Davidson added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Posts Davidson, Bib Hamner and Linda Baqleh dominated the boards in the first half and helped the Knights build a big cushion.
“All three played well,” Hale said. “Davidson had a night.”
Baqleh pulled down eight rebounds.
Cloverdale’s offense came alive with 39 points in the second half but Kelseyville never let them closer than the final score.
Allison Bryant had seven points for the Knights and Kat Brown finished with six.
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity game 34-28 behind 13 points from M.J. Boardman and 10 from Ryann Taylor.
