The Kewanee Boilers had a quick non-conference turnaround win Wednesday night. After beating Sterling Newman Tuesday night they played host to Putnam County Wednesday night and produced a lopsided 63-27 victory.
After spotting Kewanee a 12-point first quarter lead (19-7), the Panthers outscored the Boilers 10-9 in the second quarter. Kewanee, however, headed into the second half with a 28-17 lead.
The Boilers hit four treys in the first half to give themselves a bit of a cushion (two by Blaise Lewis and one each by Kashen Ellerbrock and Colson Welgat).
“I thought we started fast, defensively, which we converted into quick offense in the first quarter,” said Kewanee Coach Matt Clark. “We knocked down some early threes off of good ball movement and that led to an early lead.”
Kewanee buckled down even more, defensively, in the second half and held Putnam County to just 10 points in the final two quarters.
“Our defensive effort has improved the last few games which has led to some transition points and easy opportunities.”
The Boilers extended their lead by 27 points in the third frame after outscoring the Panthers 20-4. Clark and Lewis each scored seven points in the third quarter and both players scored 13 on the night. Ellerbrock added six more in the second half and had 11 total points for Kewanee.
“We talked at halftime about being fundamentally sound in the second half at both ends of the court. Not trying to do too much, offensively, while limiting easy looks for them.”
Clark then cleared his bench with six minutes left in the fourth quarter and got his reserve players some well-deserved playing time. All 17 players got a chance to play and eleven players scored for the Boilers.
One of the players who relished the opportunity to play was Korbin Kidd. The junior sharpshooter entered the game with two minutes left on the game clock. His first three-point attempt was off the mark, but that didn’t deter Kidd.
On Kewanee’s next possession, Amos Campbell dished the ball to Kidd and Korbin confidently drove into the paint and banked the ball off the glass for two points with 28 seconds left in the game.
Then, as the game clock was winding down, Kidd positioned himself a few feet outside the 3-point arc and Dontaveon Thomas passed him the ball and Kidd launched a shot that hit nothing but net.
The crowd and the Kewanee bench erupted with enthusiastic applause as the buzzer sounded. Kidd’s teammates then hoisted him on their shoulders in celebration.
Kidd made five points in a mere 30 seconds. That’s the good stuff, folks.
Kewanee vs Mendota
The Boilers, now 13-6 on the season and 3-1 in conference play, will have one practice to prepare for Friday night’s Salute to America night tilt against TRAC-East foe, Mendota (7-11, 1-1).
The Riveters are set to play at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game will follow at 7 p.m.
