HEALDSBURG — Healdsburg’s size and man-to-man pressure defense wore down the Kelseyville Knights as the Greyhounds prevailed 61-48 in first-round varsity boys action Wednesday night at the Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament (REIBT) in Healdsburg.
“Their size and man-to-man pressure pushed us out of our offense,” Kelseyville head coach Jeremy Linnell said. “We battled, but they’re a well-polished team and they play real aggressive.”
Healdsburg (5-1) took a 38-24 lead into halftime and had the game well in hand through three quarters with a 55-33 advantage.
“They played their subs most of the second half,” Linnell said.
Healdsburg draws Middletown (5-1) in the winner’s semifinals on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Kelseyville (3-2) plays Justin-Siena in a consolation semifinal game Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the junior high gym.
The REIBT is the longest-running tournament in Northern California and also features a varsity girls division.
Bodhi Baird’s 18 points led the Knights.
“He plays his butt off,” Linnell said. “He’s a great kid. Wherever I put him he plays hard and he scores.”
Baird also led the team with three 3-pointers. Cory Holt added 12 points and a pair of 3-pointers while Joey Mendonca had eight points.
The REIBT runs through Saturday.
Middletown 51, Justin-Siena 47
At Healdsburg, the Middletown Mustangs beat the Justin-Siena Braves of Napa in a first-round game at the Redwood Empire Invitational. Middletown draws Healdsburg (5-1) on Friday night in the winner’s semifinals at 8:30 p.m.
Middletown is now 5-1 on the season.
No other details were reported to the Record-Bee.
