For the first time in many years, and for the first time ever in the current format, the Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad is the top seed in a class 3A Substate. The Panthers first opponent is also a Panther, Mount Pleasant. While the other Panthers are the 8th seed they have been relatively competitive this season. Mount Pleasant comes in at 2-19 and finished last in the Southeast Conference with wins over New London in non-conference and Washington. Knoxville has put together a special season going through the regular season unbeaten at 21-0 and ranked #3 in the latest Iowa High School Rankings. While on paper, Knoxville is a heavy favorite, 40 points according to bcmoorerankins.com, Knoxville is not taking anything it sees from Mount Pleasant lightly. Coach Joel Keady tells KNIA/KRLS Sports, they will stick to the tried and true system then have relied on all season, one day, one practice, one game, and even one possession at a time.

Keady: “We just want to keep being that team that plays hard and smart and plays together as well. We feel that’s been our identity and helps us to win.”

Mount Pleasant does have size, which is a concern right now for Knoxville. The Panthers from southeastern Iowa are led by Aiden Humble, who scores 11 points per game, but as a team Mount Pleasant scores just 49 points per game while Knoxville averages 71 per contest and is giving up just over 43 per game. You can hear the call on the radio home for Knoxville Sports 95.3 KNIA Monday night starting at 6:30.