News-Review Boys Basketball Wrap-Up

KEOTA BOYS PLAY SPOILER ON ENGLISH VALLEYS SENIOR NIGHT:

NORTH ENGLISH—The English Valleys Bears hosted the Keota Eagles on January 31 for a South Iowa Cedar league matchup. The Eagles bested the Bears by a final score of 71-48.

Before the game, English Valleys celebrated the careers of seniors Reese Bender, Caleb Garringer, Omar Guillen, Bradley Murphy, Treyton Shaw, Keshaun Lundy and Joe George. 

The Eagles stormed out to a 15-8 lead by the conclusion of the first quarter. They pushed their lead to 32-22 heading into halftime. In the third quarter, the Eagles continued the momentum by out-scoring the Bears 24-12 to extend their lead to 56-34 before the fourth quarter. Keota held onto the lead en route to the 71-48 victory. 

The Eagles advance to 17-3 on the season, with a conference record of 14-2. They will return to action on February 3, when they visit the Cardinal Comets. 

PEKIN POUNCES PAST LOUISA-MUSCATINE AT HOME:

PACKWOOD—The Pekin Panthers hosted the Louisa-Muscatine Falcons on January 31 for a Southeast Iowa Super Conference-North matchup. The Panthers pounced on the Falcons by a final score of 69-53.

The Panthers found themselves in a 9-6 deficit after a quarter of play. They pushed back in the second quartet to the tune of securing a 28-26 heading into halftime. The Panthers came out with the same momentum in the third quarter with a 20-9 run to push their lead to 48-35 heading into the fourth. The Panthers held onto this lead en route to the 69-53 victory over the Panthers. 

The Eagles leading scorer on the night was junior Evan Vittetoe with 23 points. Keota sophomore Billie Kindred was a force in the paint, as he amassed 15 total rebounds. Billie Kindred also finished with seven assists. 

The Panthers advance to 11-8 on the season, with a conference record of 10-5. They will return to action on February 7, when they visit the WACO Warriors.

The Bears finish their regular season with a record of  4-17, with a conference record of 3-12.