Keota blows past Belle Plaine

KEOTA — The Keota Eagles hosted the Class 1A Substate 6 quarterfinals against visiting Belle Plaine on Friday night, and the Eagles had little trouble knocking off a South Iowa Cedar League foe.

The Eagles beat the Plainsmen for the third time this season, completing the sweep with a 68-56 victory.

Belle Plaine had a nice start, leading Keota 12-10 after one quarter, but the Eagles piled up 23 points in the second quarter to lead 33-19 at the half.

Belle Plaine was able to inch back in the second half. Keota’s lead was 49-36 after three quarters, and the Plainsmen scored 20 in the fourth quarter, but Keota had plenty in the tank to put it away.

Evan Vittetoe had a big game for Keota, scoring 18 points and pulling down a team-high eight rebounds. Sawyer Stout scored 14 points. Billie Kindred poured in 13 points and finished the night with three steals.

Aidan Anderson scored nine points on the day. Cole Kindred finished with seven points and 12 assists. Aiden McGuire scored four points, and Tanner Waterhouse finished with three.

Keota moved to 21-3 with the win. The Eagles have won 11 games in a row, heading into the Substate 6 semifinal.

Keota will have their hands full on Tuesday night. The Eagles will take on No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in a game played at Grinnell. The winner will face either Lynnville-Sully or North Mahaska in Saturday’s substate final.