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Knights Beat Panthers for 16th Win

By Craig Olson, 02/04/20, 10:30PM CST

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The West Central Area Knights used the same formula they’ve used all year, which is a balanced scoring attack and suffocating defense, to defeat the Parkers Prairie Panthers 59–41.

The Knights scoring went Grant Beuckens 10, Gage Staples 10, Ryder Staples 9, Brady Reeve 9, Jack Van Kempen 8, Tate Christenson 8 and Jacob Bright 5. 

“I’ve said all year that our guys know we have multiple scoring threats,” said Knights Coach Kraig Hunter.  “They know to look for mismatches that we have and guys that have the hot hand. That’s what it takes to beat a very good team like Parkers Prairie.”

Parkers Prairie came into the game with a 15-3 record.  “Along with the scoring balance, I thought our defense was very active from wire to wire in communication and with active feet and hands.”

The Knights defense held the Panthers to a season low 27% from the field as they made only 14-52 shots and turned the ball over 14 times.

They made 6-27 threes and 7-8 free throws.

The Knights great ball movement led to 24-50 from the field for 48%. They connected on 10 of 23 threes. The Knights were 1-2 from the line.

The Knights out rebounded the Panthers 36–30.  “We’ve told our guys playing these big teams with 6’7” guys that it has to be a ‘pack rebounding’ mentality,” added Hunter.

VanKempen led the rebounding effort with 10 boards followed by Gage Staples with 8.  Bright had 4 assists and 4 steals, Beuckens had 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Christenson had 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. 

Hunter said, “Tate earned the KJJK radio station player of the game deservedly so. Tate started the game with a three pointer, and he sparked us with a couple of big baskets right away to start the second half which stretched our lead to double figures and he has been leading our team in assists the last four games.  His passing ability gets us some easy baskets.  Brady Reeve and Ryder Staples continue to play well off the bench. They give us two more scoring threats that teams have to defend along with playing well in all areas of the game.”

Scoring for the Panthers were Alex Koep with 16 points, Florian Koep with eight, Micah Arens with six, Brandon Johnson with six, Rylee Thoenes with three, and Josh Helling with two.

The Knights move to 16-2 on the season and will host Wheaton on Friday night.  The Panthers fall to 15-4 and will travel to Rothsay on Friday night.