Overtime for Eagles

KEOTA - It was an fingernail-biting, pressure-packed boys game Tuesday when the Eagles faced South Iowa Cedar League foe English Valleys in a boys basketball game. Keota eventually pulled out a 66-63 win in overtime, canceling Kaden Hall's 35-point effort for the Bears.

The Keota girls didn't score in the first quarter and trailed English Valleys 37-11 at halftime, losing 65-24.

'We struggled with physical pressure and had too many turnovers,” Keota head girls coach Jeff Sprouse said. 'That is an area we need to get cleaned up.”

Taylor Kindred had 11 rebounds and Sky Weber six for Keota. They combined for 11 points. Madison Scott scored four points, Bailey Sieren three while Nicole Clarahan, Macie McDonald and Taylor Garman had two points apiece.

Either team could have won the boys game at the foul line as it was 18-of-31 on free throws for Keota and 14-for-23 for the Bears.

The first quarter was a harbinger of things to come, ending in a 12-12 tie. The Bears took a 26-20 lead into halftime but Keota started the second half on a 6-0 run and had a 17-9 third quarter to lead 37-35 starting the fourth. The lead changed hands several times in the fourth quarter, which ended at 55-55.

Luke Hammen made two free throws with 9 seconds left in overtime for the 66-63 lead. He totaled 12 points and five rebounds. Bryce Greiner hit the only two 3-pointers for Keota, registering 14 points and five boards. Carson Sprouse went 10-for-17 on free throws and finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Wyatt Sieren had nine points, five steals and four rebounds. Brady Duwa had eight rebounds and seven points. Sam Sieren scored four points and Colten Clarahan two.

Hall was 12-of-15 from the field, 11-of-15 at the line. He had 14 rebounds. Keota strengthens its lead in the East Division with a 10-1 record, 12-1 overall. English Valleys is 10-5, 6-5.