When the Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad comes back from the break, the schedule gets very real, as in real difficult. The Panthers will play two Little Hawkeye Conference teams, plus the defending class 3A state champion in MOC Floyd Valley. The first game is January 2nd when the Panthers play the Dutchmen in the Casey’s Center. That will be followed three days later by another Dutch team, Pella in the Tulip City and then a week after that, Pella Christian. Coach Joel Keady agrees it is a gauntlet to start off January, but his guys are looking forward to the challenges.

Keady: “Guys couldn’t be more excited to take on those challenges. They guys play really hard, the score doesn’t show that. Our guys are really looking forward to the closer game and a little more adversity. Adversity will strengthen us as the season goes on.”

The Panthers have not been challenged in their first five games of the season winning by an average of over 40 points per game, all against South Central Conference teams. You can listen to the call on 95.3 KNIA on January 2nd with the pregame starting at 4:15.