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KC Eagles Overcome Milan Wildcats For Tri-Rivers Boys Win

KC Eagles Overcome Milan Wildcats For Tri-Rivers Boys Win

By David Sharp

Milan led a January 26 Tri-Rivers Conference boy’s contest at Knox County until the final two and a half minutes.
Knox County pulled the game out of the fire in the closing moments for a 57-54 win. Milan (4-10, 1-1) let their upset chances slip away with a 3-11 night at the free throw line.
Justin Reeves led Knox County with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Lance McMahon tossed in 16 points with six boards. Tristan Lonberger was the third Eagle in double figures with ten points and two assists. Lonberger pulled down six of the 35 KCHS rebounds.
The Eagles did a good job on the offensive boards pulling down 19 caroms. The Eagles shot 34% overall from the field. Knox County won the game at the free throw line, sinking ten of 16 for 62.5%. Eight of the made free throws were in the final quarter.
“It wasn’t pretty. We didn’t play well for about three quarters,” said Eagle coach Jesse Crawford. “Finally we showed a little tenacity and got after it. We made things happen in the fourth quarter. Our defense created some easy offense. Luckily we got a conference win.”
The Eagles (9-7, 3-2) took a one point edge in the first quarter. Milan forward Cooper Bankus poured in ten of his game high 20 points in the second quarter. The Wildcats added a pair of three balls. Milan outscored Knox County 16-8 in the second quarter, taking a 29-22 lead to intermission.
Knox County pulled a point closer in the third quarter. The Eagles outscored their guests 25-16 in the fourth quarter. Seniors Keenan Gillaspy, Lance McMahon and Tristan Lonberger combined for eight made fourth quarter free throws.
Cameron Kirmse was 4-5 from the field with six of his eight points coming in the fourth quarter. Lance McMahon tossed in eight fourth quarter points including a three ball. Tristan Lonberger contributed seven points to the fourth quarter rally.
   Keenan Gillaspy scored six Knox County points with two assists. The Eagles limited turnovers to 13. Cameron Kirmse and Leighton McCabe led the Eagles in steals with two each. Knox County stole the ball seven times with six assists.
 Mason Clark was in double figures for Milan with 15 points.