The Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad is finally able to get back in the gym after being forced to shut down for several days due to COVID-19 concerns. One of the first things Coach Jeff Larson and the coaching staff will emphasize is defense. The Panthers play mostly man defense, but they have had success in zone defenses in shutting down teams from scoring. Coach Jeff Larson tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the guys are starting to understand the importance of playing good defense to give his team a chance to win.

Larson:
“We’d like to play man all the time because I think we have the athlete that can do that. They’re buying into situations and stuff like that. We’ve got some pretty good athletes, and we still have to preach to them that defense is important.”

The Panthers are giving up just 47 points per game in the four that they have played. The Panthers get back on the court January 5th against Centerville. Both of Knoxville’s games that were postponed in December have now been rescheduled. The Pella game will be played on February 12th as a boys only game, and the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont double header has been rescheduled to February 5th.