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The West Central Area Knights went into the Owls Nest and defeated the Hancock Owls 58-41 to claim their third straight Pheasant Conference Championship. The Owls had won 11 straight games coming into the game and had defeated the Knights 80-61 earlier in the season. Both teams came into the final conference game at 10-1 in the conference.
"I am just at a loss where to even start," said Knights Coach Kraig Hunter. "For all that we've lost over the past two years, and as young and inexperienced as we were coming into this year, there aren't enough words to describe this group of kids, this team, and what they've accomplished. They totally buy in, they work relentlessly, and they just believe in themselves and each other. I see it everyday in practice, on the bus, in team meetings the love they have for each other. I feel totally blessed to be part of this great group of kids, our assistant coaches and our amazing fans. The fans were a big part of this all year and especially tonight. They brought energy into a great environment. Cory Bedel is such a good coach, Hancock always has size and talented players and Cory gets them to play such good defense. So to go on their floor and come out victorious, is a pretty worthy accomplishment."
The Knights shot 21-46 for 46% and hit 7-20 threes for 35%. The Owls were 16-47 for 34% and only hit 3-20 threes. Both teams struggled from the line as the Knights were 9-22 and the Owls 6-14. The Owls held a 33-28 advantage on the boards led by Matt Thompson's 20. However, the Knights forced the Owls into 20 turnovers while committing 14.
WCA Assistant Coach Jon Nelson said about the Knights players, "When Hancock went up 9-4, they did not deter from the game plan, they just brought more intensity. When Hancock made two runs in the second half, there was no panic, they made defensive stops. That's as well as you can follow a game plan. They are all in."
Cole Anderson had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 charge taken; Jacob Strunk had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists; Bryce Kjesbo had 9 points, 3 rebounds, and took a charge; Cam Anderson had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals; Ryder Staples had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal; Nasir Dotts had 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal; Mitch Dewey added 3 points and 1 rebound and Roman Mihailovschi added 1 rebound and 1 assist.
Matt Thompson led Hancock with 20 points and 20 rebounds. Chase Evink scored 8 points, Hudson Versteeg 4, Zach Koehl 3, Jackson Koehl 2, Sebastian Felix 2 and Luke Joos 2.
The Knights move to 19-4 on the year and the Owls fall to 19-5.