The Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad led from start to finish and clinched its 2nd straight outright South Central Conference title with a 96-63 win over Albia while the girls had a frustrating night in a 58-13, both games were heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The boys, led by a record setting night by Lincoln Norris as he hit a school record 12 three point shots and had a career high 38 points, built a lead as high as 28 in the first half before setting for a 26 point cushion at halftime. However, the Blue Demons cut the lead down to 15 early in the 2nd half before another Knoxville run got the lead back up to 26 and forced running clock in the 4th quarter. Panthers Coach Joel Keady told KNIA/KRLS Sports he was happy with the offense, but defensively there were a few too many breakdowns.

Keady: “Really good challenge on an away court and have some adversity and get pushed. Offense was really good, everyone could see that, but where we really need work is on defense. So we’re going to work on that starting tomorrow in practice, because if we want to win in the postseason we’re going to have to play good defense.”

Jack Reed scored 15 points while Cael Cook had 11 for the Panthers, who improve to 14-3 and 13-0 in the South Central Conference. The girls fell down early 24-0 and never recovered. Merissa Borwig scored six points to lead Knoxville who fell to 0-18 on the season. Both Panther clubs head to Cardinal to finish up conference play on Friday.