Knight Coach Kraig Hunter said, “That stretch was some beautiful basketball with great unselfishness and ball movement.”

The Knights hit 32-62 shots for 52% and 10-20 threes for 50%.  They were 9-14 from the free throw line.  The Warriors shot 17-56 for 30% but did make 12-36 threes for 33%.  They were only 2-9 from the free throw line.  The Knights had a huge rebounding advantage winning that battle 42-25.  The Warriors turned the ball over 13 times and the Knights only 10.

Jack VanKempen and Gage Staples both had double doubles for the Knights.  VanKempen scored 25 points, had 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists while Staples had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.  “Those two worked very well together on the inside of Wheaton’s zone,” said Hunter.

Jacob Bright added 12 points and 2 assists, Grant Beuckens had 8 points and a team high 6 assists. “Grant ran the team very well tonight,” said WCA Head Coach Kraig Hunter.  Tate Christenson had 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists; Jacob Strunk had 5 points, Brady Reeve had 4 points and 7 rebounds; Cole Anderson had 3 points, Ryder Staples had 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists; Xander Bontjes  2 points, Blake Koloski had 1 point, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Matt Thielen led Wheaton with 18 points.  Thielen became the all-time leading scorer for the Wheaton boys with his 18th point.  “Congratulations to Matt Thielen,” said Hunter. “He is a great shooter and seems like a classy kid.”  Dylan Bainbridge had 9, David Fuentes 8, Nick Lupkes 3, Michael Franzese 3, Michael Stueve 3, Clint Determan 2, Jakob Edwards 2.

“We played some very good basketball at the beginning of each half, went on long stretches where we struggled to score and the game opened up,” said Warriors Head Coach Jordon Roos.  “We weren’t good enough at some of the little things.”

The Knights (10-1) will now host the defending state champion Henning Hornets on Tuesday night in Barrett.