It has been 20 years since the Knoxville Boys Basketball program has been this far in the substate, and 25 years since the Panthers won a substate final. Monday night the class 3A #3 Panthers have a chance to break a 25 year State Tournament dry spell with a win in the class 3A substate final against Keokuk. The Panthers have rolled through the first two games of substate play. Following a slow start against Mount Pleasant in round one, Knoxville was victorious by 22 points, and Thursday night, the Panthers ran Fort Madison out of the gym in a 39 point rout. Monday night presents likely one of the biggest literally and figuratively challenges for the Panthers in this postseason run as Keokuk comes to town. The Chiefs are 17-7 and represent the third team from the Southeast Conference that Knoxville will have played. Both teams’ defenses are some of the top in class 3A with the Panthers allowing just over 43 points per game, while the Chiefs are allowing just 47.9 per contest. Keokuk also gives Knoxville its tallest opposing post player of the season in six foot ten inch Jaxson Clark. The junior averages 22.6 points per game and has grabbed 335 rebounds this season. Knoxville counters with better overall field goal three point, and free throw shooting. Panthers Coach Joel Keady tells KNIA/KRLS Sports it is all about his team continuing to be locked in for another 32:00 of play.

Keady: “How locked in you really have to be to win these ball game. You really have to lock in because 32:00 is a long time and we’re really going to have to bring it on Monday, and probably play better on Monday than we did on Thursday. We’re really excited and the boys are pumped.”

A win by Knoxville would send the Panthers to their first State Tournament appearance since 2000. You can hear the action on your radio home for Knoxville Sports 95.3 KNIA starting with the pregame at 6:30.

Photo from Ryan Northcote