It was a happy Homecoming for the purple and gold on Monday night, as Keota basketball swept BGM in the KCII Area Game of the Week.

In a pair of games rescheduled from January 12, Keota’s girls took game one in a 60-57 thriller. Down 9-1 early on, the Eagles rallied to head into the second quarter down just three. It was then, that they seemingly took over, outscoring the Bears 16-6 to take a seven point lead into the half. Neither team willing to roll over, BGM stayed right with Keota in the second half thanks to 17 total points from Laila Morrison and 14 from Shaye Strong. When it was the Eagles needing a bucket, Kennedy Jackson or Emily Conger was often the one to hit it. Jackson led all scorers with 18, while Conger added 15. It was Grace Conger, the elder of the two, who would provide the play of the game, though. Knotted at 57 with less than 20 seconds remaining, she stole away a BGM inbound pass, laying it in on the other end for what would prove to be the winning basket.

The excitement of game one had the Keota faithful geared up for the nightcap between the boys, which the Eagles took in less-dramatic fashion 87-54. The contest was at its tightest after one quarter, with Keota leading by seven thanks to 10 quick points from Evan Vittetoe, who finished the evening with 15. The Eagle offense went for 25 in the second quarter, while their defense held the Bears to just three field goals. At the break, it was Keota by 26. They would never look back as the domination continued into the third and fourth. Ten different Eagles scored in the win, highlighted by 23 from Billie Kindred, who went seven of eight from the free throw line, and 16 from Sawyer Stout. The win bumped the Eagles to 13-0 with a busy week ahead. The Keota boys and girls look to build off the pair of wins tonight when they welcome English Valleys.

The games were heard on the KCII3 Stream, available at KCIIradio.com. The Area Game of the Week is in Kalona tonight as the Hillcrest Ravens host Pekin.