Today is number four on the top ten sports moments for Knoxville High School. The first game back from Christmas Break this past basketball season was January third and the Panther boys were hosting Bondurant-Farrar. The Bluejays and Panthers played a close game in the second half, and Knoxville’s Kieren Nichols went off for 41 points tying the single game scoring record held by former Panthers great Brad Davis. Late in the second half, Nichols took over as the Panthers and Bluejays seemed destined for overtime.

The game was tied at 65 going into overtime and Nichols provided more heroics and tied the single game scoring record at Knoxville.

Knoxville would close out the Bluejays 72-69 a few moments later. Nichols shot 15/18 from the field, and 5/7 from long range. Nichols also went on to join the 1,000 point club at Knoxville later in the season. He also was named first team all-state in class 3A. Nichols currently has 1,084 career points and trails the all-time record by 494 points, also held by Davis. Nichols will return for his senior season as one of the top players in Iowa this winter.