A 17-2 run to start the game was enough for the Knoxville Boys basketball Squad to cruise to another lopsided win in the South Central Conference on Tuesday night, this time a 74-57 triumph over Clarke while the girls suffered a frustrating loss 66-58 heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The boys came out firing on all cylinders making shots early lead by Noah Keefer, who dropped in 16 of his game high 20 points in the 1st half. The Panthers also defended well, especially Clarke’s top two players, Jack Cooley and Cole White, who combined for 26 points last night. Panthers Coach Troy Pearson told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was the defense of Koby Higginbotham and Kaden McGill that held down Clarke’s top guns.

Pearson: “We really have an emphasis on guarding the three point line. We know that Jack Cooley and Cole White are two of the best players in the conference, and we challenged Koby and Kaden to guard them, and they did that very well.”

Carson Uitermarkt added 13 points while Jay Kellar dropped in 12 to help Knoxville improve to 2-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. In the opening game, the Knoxville Girls could never get a hold of the game and fell for the first time this season. Clarke jumped on top 8-0 to start and set the tone for the game. Knoxville did get it tied at the end of the 1st quarter and was within three at the half but never got any closer. Hannah Dunkin scored 20 points, sister Emma dropping in 14. Knoxville is also 2-1 and is now 1-1 in conference play. Both Panthers head to Davis County on Friday.