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Knights turn up second-half defense for win over Langford Area

Aberdeen Christian’s Jackson Isakson, right, moves to the basket around Britton-Hecla’s Ashton Mills, center as BoDell Davidson, left, moves to defend during a game earlier this season at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. Isakson had 14 points in a win at Langford Area Tuesday night. Photo by John Davis taken 12/21/2021

LANGFORD – Aberdeen Christian allowed just 13 second-half points to pull away from Langford Area and record a 57-42 Lake Region Conference boys’ basketball victory Tuesday night.

The third-rated Knights trailed after the opening quarter and led by seven points at the half before clamping down on defense in the final 16 minutes.

“We had a slow start. We let them get to where they wanted on offense,” said Christian coach David Rohrbach. “We let cutters cut down the lane in front of our face and let them post up too easy. In the second half we adjusted and did a much better job defensively.”

Christian was up to its usual standard of perimeter shooting, nailing 11 three-pointers in the contest, led by four each from Jackson Isakson and Malek Wieker. The outside barrage started in the second quarter when the Knights outscored the hosts 22-11 for a lead they would never lose.

“We started hitting threes in the second quarter, kind of found our footing and spaces in their zone,” Rohrbach said. “They did a good job of mixing up their defenses and our guys, once they identified what they were doing, found each other well.”

Wieker led the victory with 18 points. Isakson followed with 14, and Andrew Brennan and Ethan Russell each contributed 10.

Langford Area was paced by Jesse Keough with 15 points. Ben Gustafson added 12 and Brayden Peterson finished with 10.

Christian, 16-2 and winners of 12 straight games, faces Aberdeen Roncalli at about 8 p.m. Thursday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. The game will follow the girls’ contest at 6:30.

“Roncalli should be a fun atmosphere,” Rohrbach said. “We expect a physical game and one we will need to execute well as they play hard on both ends.”

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (16-2): Andrew Brennan 3 2-2 10, Jackson Isakson 4 2-2 14, Ethan Russell 4 2-2 10, Malek Wieker 7 0-0 18, Kaden Clark 1 0-0 2, Abe Holscher 1 0-0 3. Totals 20-51 6-6 57.

LANGFORD AREA (10-7): Ben Gustafson 5 1-2 12, Brayden Peterson 4 1-2 10, Jackson Bahr 1 0-0 3, Jesse Keough 4 6-8 15, Kassen Keough 1 0-0 2. Totals 15-41 8-12 42.

Aberdeen Christian 14 36 48 57

Langford Area 18 29 37 42

3-point field goals – Brennan 2, Isakson 4, Wieker 4, Holscher; Gustafson, Peterson, Bahr, J. Keough. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 11; Langford Area 7. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 27 (Russell 7); Langford Area 27 (Gustafson 8, Peterson 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 9; Langford Area 14. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 12 (Brennan 4, Wieker 4); Langford Area 9. Steals – Aberdeen Christian 6; Langford Area 5.

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