The Keota Eagle Boys Basketball team managed to fend off a tough challenge from the North Tama Redhawks last night en route to an 87-62 triumph. The contest proved to be anyone’s game early on, as the Redhawks saw themselves in front after one frame 20-17. Things stayed tight as the first half drew to a close, as Keota bounced back in front by six. What North Tama couldn’t match was the second half scoring from Keota, as the Eagles poured on 52 points in the final 16 minutes to capture the District Semifinal victory.

As a team, Keota won both the battle of the boards and rebounding tussle. Unofficially, the Eagles brought down 40 boards to North Tama’s 27, as well as turned the ball over only 12 times to the Redhawks’ 18.

Individually, it was Keota Senior Evan Vittetoe leading the charge with 28 points, 12 of which came in the Eagles’ 31-point third quarter. Vittetoe joined KCII Sports postgame to talk about the victory. “Our gameplan was just mainly not letting them shoot threes and play good defense.”

Keota Head Coach Dan Stout also joined KCII Sports postgame to wrap up a District Semifinal victory as well as preview the District Championship game. “We’ve got a revenge factor. We already talked about that in the locker room. They beat us out last year, and we remember the hard feelings with that, walking off the floor getting beat. We don’t want that to happen yet.”

Keota, still undefeated, will face off with the Glabrook-Reinbeck Rebels next Tuesday night at Benton Community High School for a chance to play for a bid to the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.