The varsity boys basketball team relied on a strong second half performance and balanced team scoring to dispatch the 4A Taylor Ducks in a non-district home game last Friday to close out 2023 on a high note. Starting off on a strong foot, the Knights ended the first quarter in the lead, 21-12; however, the team faltered in the second quarter and went into the locker room at halftime trailing, 35-33. Heading into the second half, the Knights made some defensive adjustments, changing from man-to-man to a two-three zone defense. The change paid off, as the Ducks only scored eight points in the third quarter. The Knights regained the lead, 45-43, heading into the fourth quarter. Junior guard George Brode said that stepping up on defense wasn't enough. To secure the win in the fourth quarter, the Knights would need to find another gear. "We knew that we couldn't slow down,” Brode said. “We had to finish the game at 100 percent. Because were were able to do that, they weren't able to ...