LANGFORD – Aberdeen Christian wrapped up the Lake Region Conference boys’ basketball championship with a 79-41 victory over Langford Area Tuesday night.

The sixth-rated Knights kept the energy up all night to secure their 16th win of the season. The energy started out with a little bit different game plan than what the Knights usually show.

“We kind of hopped into a little bit of a 2-2-1/ 2-3 press and just tried to make life a little bit difficult on them,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “I thought Dylan (Hofer) and Luke (Kaiser) did a great job with ball pressure and got a couple of shots to fall early and got to the rim.”

That was the Knights’ offensive game plan as Jett Johnson hit a 3-pointer to start the game off once again, and the other Knights drove to the lane to get baskets early on.

“We just continue to try to get to the rim as best we could. You know, Jett hit a 3 and I thought it was a whole team effort,” Rohrbach said. “Dylan’s energy, and Luke had a couple nice takes to the basket as well.”

Hofer’s energy carried over to the rest of the team as the aggressiveness helped the Knights gain easy baskets in transition. Each player that went into the game for Christian made an impact to help wear down the Lions.

“We sub a lot and keep guys fresh, and I think that kind of wears on teams a little bit as you get down the stretch,” said Rohrbach. “That’s kind of where the fast break points come later in the game.”

Raymond Rodriguez-Martinez was one of the Knights who took advantage, hustling down the court to a team-high and career-high 18 points on the night. He scored seven points in the final quarter of play.

“Raymond’s an energy giver,” Rohrbach said. “And it’s super fun to see him get in there and be aggressive and have some fun.”

Christian’s aggressiveness in attacking the basket allowed the Knights to attempt 20 free throws on the evening. They were also able to obtain quality shots.

“It’s a make or miss league. You’ve got to make shots, you’ve got to make free throws, got to hit 3-pointers to beat good teams night in and night out. You shoot enough of them, you’re going to have some fall,” said Rohrbach. “Jett got a couple to go which is fun. I think he hit five (3-pointers). You just never know who it’s going to be, and the guys understand that maybe it’s your night, maybe it’s not your night.”

Brooks Jett added 13 points for Christian, Kaiser followed with 11, and Hofer contributed nine.

On the other side of the court, it was Kassen Keough who found success for the Lions with a game-high 19 points.

Christian, 16-2 on the year, will close out the regular season with a road game against Mobridge-Pollock on Saturday and another road contest at Groton the following week.

The Knights were able to secure one of their goals by winning the LRC on Tuesday.

“That’s always something that you strive for, but our mentality is just gotta continue to be present and get better every single day because at the end of the day, if you’re not getting better every day then that game you’re not supposed to lose, you could lose,” said Rohrbach. “We just want to stay present, be with each other, take shots and give the energy that we need to give to each other. If we continue to do that, it’s going to go right.”

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (16-2): Jett Johnson 5 0-0 15, Dylan Hofer 3 3-4 9, Luke Kaiser 5 1-3 11, Brooks Jett 6 1-2 13, Loyal Smith-Wade 1 4-5 6, Raymond Rodriguez-Martinez 7 4-6 18, Owen Russell 1 0-0 2, Asher Keller 1 0-0 3. Totals 30 13-20 79.

LANGFORD AREA (2-15): Grayson Hurley 2 2-3 7, Eli Samson 1 0-0 2, Dawson Vander Vorst 2 0-0 4, Kassen Keough 7 3-4 19, Case Reints 1 1-2 3, Ethen Olson 1 0-0 2, Conner Glines 1 2-2 4. Totals 15 8-11 41

Aberdeen Christian 16 40 62 79

Langford 9 21 30 41

3-point field goals – Johnson 5, Keller; Hurley, Keough 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 11; Langford Area 16.