Knights’ win streak reaches 7 with Backyard Brawl triumph
Eisenhower built a big lead against Youngsville, then had to hold off their county rivals late to earn a 48-39 win in the Backyard Brawl on Friday – the Knights’ seventh straight victory overall.
The Knights (7-5 overall, 4-2 Region 3) rode the hot shooting of Jake Harvey and Thomas Warren to build a 38-16 third-quarter lead.
Youngsville (1-11, 1-6) didn’t quit, however, as a big second half from senior guard Brady Kesterholt kept them in range. Kesterholt scored a game-high 18 points, 12 of which came in the second half.
“We got a nice and then we relaxed,” said Eisenhower coach Dave Allenson. “Credit to Youngsville, they didn’t quit. They made their shots and got back in the ball game.”
The hot-shooting of the Knights was the story, however, as Harvey, Jack Reynolds and Warren hit 3’s on consecutive possessions to begin the game which got Ike out of the gates to a 9-2 lead.
With top defender Levi Hendrickson out, the Eagles went zone to help minimize the effects of Warren and Jaydon Hayes inside, but it was Harvey who made them pay from the outside.
He and Warren knocked down back-to-back treys to extend the lead to 24-12 in the second quarter and the Knights took a 12-point lead into the locker room, 27-15.
“Their hot shooting in the first half built a lead in the first half and we weren’t able to get back,” said Youngsville coach Jim Kesterholt. “Jake Harvey did a great job of knocking down his shots. He’s a much improved shooter from last year.”
Eisenhower opened the second half on a 11-0 run, thanks to two more 3’s from Harvey, as well as another from Warren that gave them their biggest lead of the game, 38-15.
“We knew we were going to have to live and die with something and he (Harvey) was able to knock them down,” said Kesterholt.
Harvey, who played much of the game with a large cut to his face, was back to his normal self, according to Allenson.
“Jake didn’t have a great game last game, but he was shooting like he normally shoots tonight,” he said.
Kesterholt and Wyatt Rugar made sure that the game didn’t get out of hand, however. In fact, they made things a little uncomfortable for the Knights in the fourth quarter, combining for 15 points, including a 9-0 to start the period.
“We talked about closing in the fourth,” Kesterholt said. “I’m not disappointed in our performance. They’re a good team. It’s always a good battle. Inexperienced mistakes ended up hurting us, but hopefully we grow and get better every game from here on out.”
Warren finished with 16 points to lead Ike and Harvey 15, while Hayes pulled down eight rebounds.
Kesterholt had seven rebounds to go along with his 18 points and Rugar ended with 13 points and six boards.
While winning seven in a row is nice, Allenson knows his team can still get a lot better.
“I’d like to see us get better defensively and take better care of the ball going forward,” he said.
And while the Eagles didn’t get the outcome they desired, coach Kesterholt emphasized something that could be felt throughout the entire gym.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “This game is always a lot of fun.
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UP NEXT
Eisenhower: at Cambridge Springs on Tuesday
Youngsville: vs. Saegertown on Tuesday
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EISENHOWER (48)
Myer 0-0-0-0, Reynolds 1-0-0-3, Harvey 5-0-0-15, Hayes 3-0-3-6, Th. Warren 5-1-1-16, Johnson 3-0-0-6, Ta. Warren 0-0-2-0, Hazeltine 1-0-0-2, Fincher 0-0-0-0, Totals 18-1-6-48
YOUNGSVILLE (39)
Kesterholt 5-6-8-18, Myers 1-0-0-2, Ecelberger 1-0-0-2, McAvoy 1-0-1-2, Rugar 6-1-2-13, G. Hendrickson 1-0-0-2, Procter 0-0-0-0, Wilson 0-0-0-0, Frazier 0-0-0-0, Totals 15-7-11-39
By Quarters
Eisenhower 16 11 15 6 – 48
Youngsville 7 8 7 17 – 39
Three-point FGs: Eisenhower (8) – Harvey 5, Th. Warren 2, Reynolds; Youngsville (2) – Kesterholt 2
JV
EISENHOWER (30)
Venman 0-0-0-0, Fincher 1-2-3-4, Knapp 0-0-0-0, Williams 0-0-0-0, Hazeltine 6-1-3-13, Martone 1-0-0-2, Johnson 3-1-2-9, Younger 0-0-0-0, Smelko 1-0-0-2, Johnson 0-0-0-0, Johnson 0-0-0-0, Schwanke 0-0-0-0
YOUNGSVILLE (20)
Victor 0-0-0-0, Wilson 1-0-1-2, Procter 2-3-4-8, Hendrickson 2-0-1-4, Mercado 2-2-6-6, Murray 0-0-0-0, Hoover 0-0-0-0, Benjamin 0-0-0-0, Frazer 0-0-0-0, Benedict 0-0-0-0
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