Knoxville Boys Secure Crucial Win Over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont

The Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad secured a significant victory against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, resulting in a three-way tie for first place in the South Central Conference. The boys clinched a 75-72 win over the Rockets in a highly competitive game, with neither team taking a double-digit lead. Knoxville took charge in the first quarter, leading 20-16 at the break. The Rockets then surged ahead in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a 30-28 advantage. Despite a closely contested third quarter, the Panthers regained the lead, only to face a resilient Rockets defense in the final quarter. Notably, Landen Norris faced a shutout in the fourth quarter, but Drake Larson and Carson Uitermarkt stepped up, contributing 17 points to secure the win. Norris, who led the Panthers with 20 points, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, 'It feels really good beating them at their place. We were spending the whole break preparing for them, and it just felt really good beating them in their gym.' Meanwhile, Lincoln Norris also delivered an impressive 19 points for the team. On the other hand, the girls' team struggled against the Rockets, falling behind by as many as 28 points. Despite the loss, standout performances were delivered by Hannah Dunkin, Brittany Bacorn, and Abbie Keitges, who scored 17, 14, and 10 points, respectively. The Knoxville boys currently hold a 6-2 record, with a 5-1 standing in the South Central Conference, while the girls team boasts a 4-5 record, with a 4-2 standing in the conference. Both squads are set to return home and face Albia in their upcoming game on Friday.