Knox Boys Take Round 1 In Home-and-Home With North Judson

The Knox Redskins and North Judson San-Pierre Bluejays added yet another memorable chapter to the legendary Starke County Rivalry. Due to the success of each school’s football team, which for the first time in history, won football Sectional Championships in the same year, the game was forced to move to a later date, rather than having the usual boy/girl double-header. The two teams did not disappoint as the game went from start to finish with lead changes, momentum swings, slam-dunks, 3-pointers, and great strategy throughout!

As was anticipated, each team had star players give star efforts throughout the game, with different players stepping in throughout the game to provide heroic moments. The Bluejays were able to establish the lead at the end of the first quarter, holding onto a 21-17 score. Senior Cooper Hochstedler would be the go-to for the Jays throughout the first half, as he scored 20 of his game-high 26 points in the first two quarters. The ‘Jays were also able to ride the moment of some tremendous sharpshooting in the first half, as they were able to knock down six 3s in the first two quarters. Meanwhile, it would be Knox Junior Gunner Wagner who would lead the charge for Knox in the scoring category, as he dropped in 10 of his 18 points in the first half.

The second quarter would see the Bluejays continue to hold the lead on the scoreboard, as they once again outscored the Redskins 24-20. The entertainment did nothing but heighten in that second period, as more three pointers poured in for both squads, and Knox’s Sophomore sensation Kole McIntire showcased his athleticism with an electrifying two-handed slam-dunk in the second quarter, which brought all wearing Knox red, white, and blue to their feet in excitement. As the second quarter ended, the two Starke County squads entered their respective locker rooms with North Judson holding onto a 45-37 lead.

The third and fourth quarters would see Knox wear down their county rivals, as the level of intensity on both ends of the floor would increase dramatically for the Redskins. In the third, the Redskins were able to force five turnovers coming from steals by Cade Short, Zac Rose, McIntire, and Braxton Geller, who led Knox with two steals in the game. It would be McIntire who would take control of the scoring in the final two quarters, as he scored 19 of his team-high 25 points in the third and fourth quarters. The Redskins would also find a great deal of success from behind the 3-point line, as they were able to knock down five of their eight 3’s in the third and fourth quarters.

Incredible shooting displays were seen by members of both teams. For Knox, it would be Braxton Geller who knocked down a team-high three 3-pointers, while the Bluejays were given a huge lift by the outside shooting of Freshman Ty Schumacher, who hit a game-high four 3s. It would be the free-throw shooting that would be the biggest factor in the Redskins’ win, as Knox was able to score 11 more points on 20 more attempts, going 23-36 at the line, to North Judson’s 12-16. The Redskins would see three individuals reach double-digits scoring, while the Bluejays would have four, showcasing the incredible amount of balance both teams have this season.

“We had a lot of people contribute” said Knox Head Coach Rob Krueger following the win. “We had three guys in double figures, we had three with eight, so that’s really good balance. I think they like sharing the basketball” Krueger continued, “Tonight I think Kole McIntire played a very efficient basketball game. Braxton Geller came in and gave a big boost off the bench scoring 13 points, he was 5-6 from the free-throw line, and came up with a big steal before halftime. It’s a nice win, especially for the boys”.

“Really, we played well” said North Judson Coach Kyle Evans about the second half performance. “We just missed some good open looks. I thought Payton Cox did a nice job of finding the open guys, really they all did. We made our punch early, they made their counterpunch and kind of took the air out of us. We could never really get it going again until the last three minutes. That’s a product of youth showing”.

The Starke County CO-OP Play of the Game, came when Knox had just regained control on the scoreboard in the second half, and were clinging to a 65-61 lead. That was when Zac Rose would get his lone steal of the game, and turn it into two points at the other end of the floor to give his Redskins the lead at 67-61, with around five minutes left to go in the game.

The Ashley Derrickson/Five Star Player of the Game went to Knox Sophomore Kole McIntire. Kole led the Redskins in scoring with 25 points, he also had 8 rebounds to lead the team, along with Gunner Wagner in that category. In addition, McIntire also hit 7-10 free throws, along with two 3-pointers, and scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half.

The Redskins will be back in action on Saturday when they play host to the Culver Cavaliers in a boy/girl double-header. The Bluejays, meanwhile, will be back at it Friday night when they play host to the Rochester Zebras.