Keota knocked out in substate semifinals

GRINNELL — Despite winning 11-straight games leading into the postseason, the Keota Eagles had tough matchup in Tuesday night’s Class 1A Substate 6 semifinal.

Keota was knocked out of the postseason by No. 3 Gladbrook-Reinbeck, the top seed in the substate, 77-57.

The Eagles had trouble slowing down the Rebels’ offense all night long. Gladbrook-Reinbeck led 20-14 after one quarter, 41-28 at halftime and 62-39 after three quarters.

Keota gave up 20 or more points in every quarter except the third. The Eagles won the fourth quarter 18-15, but by that time, t he damage had been done.

Keota had trouble containing Rebel star William Kiburis. Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s leading scorer scored 33 points on the night and added nine rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocked shots.

Keota’s Cole Kindred went for 15 points in the loss, and also racked up three assists and three steals. Sawyer Stout scored 10 points, and Billie Kindred knocked down three 3-pointers in the game to finish with nine.

Keota’s lone starting senior Aidan Anderson finished the night with four points, four rebounds and three assists. Evan Vittetoe, Aiden McGuire and Tanner Waterhouse scored four points apiece. Chase Haifley scored three points. Dalton Dodd and Conner Strand each finished with two.

Keota finished the season 21-4. The Eagles won the South Iowa Cedar League East in impression fashion, going 14-2 in league play to win the league by five games.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (22-2) will play against Lynnville-Sully (22-2) in Saturday’s substate final.