Friday the Knights faced  a dangerous Walnut Hills squad that came in with a game plan which they implemented almost to perfection.   The result was a game that, though lacking in inspiration, stayed close till the last two minutes.  In the end the Knights finally pulled away to win by a ridiculously deceiving 50 to 36 score.

STATS | SLIDE SHOW (Courtesy of Jenny Haralamous)

The 14-point margin was deceiving because the Knights trailed at the end of the first quarter and at halftime, and only led 29 to 28 at the end of the third. 

 Deceiving because there were 10 lead changes in the game, the last one coming with 3 minutes and change left, when the Knights took a 34 to 32 lead on a two by Danny Hagee off a feed by Aaron Gayhart.   

And deceiving because, with 2:12 left in the game, the Knights still clung to that 2-point lead, and were facing another last-minute game situation in a game that should not have been that close.

 It was that close because the strategy the Eagles implemented - shorten the game with long possessions, look to isolate players so the Knights’ team defense would be less of a factor, and keep Matt Stevens from cracking open the game with 3 pointers - frankly worked.  The Eagles kept the ball for long minutes at a time, which kept the Knights fans from getting into the game and the Knights from getting into the flow of their offense. 

More importantly, when they did get isolation, they made it count.   Eagles guard Dylan Kremer scored all 11 of his points in the first half, and the Knights, who hoped to gain some separation and take control of the game, found themselves down by 1 or 2 instead as repeatedly the Eagles took the ball to the hole successfully.

 Then somehow, with 2 minutes left in the game, the skies opened up.  The Knights finally made a run, scoring 8 straight points, including 5 by Derrick Harris.  This forced the Eagles into the fouling mode, and the Knights - on again, off again this season with their free throw shooting - were on in the fourth quarter, hitting 13 of 18 down the stretch.   With the clock running only long enough for the Eagles to shoot and foul again, the Knights stretched their lead from the free throw line, resulting in the 14-point margin of victory.

Derrick Harris led the Knights with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists… with 9 of his points coming as the Knights pulled away.  Aaron Gayhart had 12 points and 7 rebounds after sitting out over a quarter in the first half with 2 fouls.  Matt Stevens contributed 10 points and Danny Hagee pulled down 8 boards.

Key stat: the Knights only attempted three 3-pointers, hitting 2. 

STATS | SLIDE SHOW (Courtesy of Jenny Haralamous)

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Next the Knights begin a remarkable string of Tuesday-Friday games:

This Tuesday:  MASON at The Mill.  Mason is expected to bring their entire student body.

Next Friday:  The Knights travel to Amelia for a key conference game.  The Barons have knocked off Wilmington and Loveland on their home floor.  This game is a trap.

Followed by -

Tuesday: LEBANON comes to The Mill.  ‘Nuff said.

Friday:  The Knights travel to Turpin, where it’s always a battle.

Tuesday:  At West Carrollton.  Last year the Knights shot 56% from the floor and won 86 to 34.   West Carrollton is 9-1 this year and will be looking for retribution.

Friday:  WILMINGTON at The Mill, for Senior night and perhaps the conference title. 

Tuesday:  The Knights travel to Harrison to face a strong Buckeye conference squad.

Friday:  The Knights finish their regular season at Little Miami.

So….. GO KNIGHTS!!!