The Keota boys basketball team finished in fourth place at the class 1A state basketball tournament on Friday.
The Eagles had another tough match-up with Belmond-Klemme, one day after an even tougher game with West Lyon. Keota fell in the game 68-53, after Belmond-Klemme landed eight three-pointers in the game.
The first quarter started quick for the Bronco’s, getting up on Keota 7-2, and extending their lead to 21-14 after one. Keota played better in the second quarter, outscoring the Broncos by one, and only down 36-30.
At the start of the second half, Keota hit a three to get within three, but that was as close as they would get all game, as Belmond-Klemme worked the ball inside, and what they put up, went in, outscoring the Eagles 20-9 in the third and leading 56-39 after three.
The Eagles played their starters for a little while during the fourth quarter, but once the Broncos went to their deep bench, so did the Eagles.
Head coach Dan Stout said it was a tough game, especially after playing it right after West Lyon.
“Yeah I think the West Lyon game really took a lot out of us coming into this one, where we had to recover right away, and we just didn’t look like we had our legs under us, where a lot of shots were short and things like that where we really struggled,” Stout said. “They should the ball well, and I think that was a lot to our defense playing slow, back-to-back like that and just having to get after it. It’s been a great season, and that is what I told the kids, they can hang their head high, there is nothing to be ashamed of, you’re going to come up here and play good teams no matter what and just go out there and see what happens.”
Keota was led by Nate Owen with 18 points, Luke Lyle had 15 and Kolton Greiner finished with 10.
Keota says goodbye to five seniors: Lyle, Greiner, Justin Hultman, Derek Berg and Shane Gibson.
Keota finishes their season fourth in the state, and with a 25-3 record.