Before a large and energetic crowd in the Don Caldwell Gymnasium on Friday night, the boys varsity basketball team ambushed the Reagan Raiders, avenging a Jan. 2 loss and then some with a 70-44 victory that left the teams tied for third place in District 25-5A.

Guard Sam Werkenthin was the player of the game, leading the team in scoring with 20, a total he arrived at by nailing six of eight 3-point attempts (plus a couple of made free throws). Every made 3-pointer felt like an explosion as the large crowd and the Knight bench rose to its feet to cheer loudly every time Werkenthin’s long-range shot touched nothing but net. The junior sharpshooter made three 3-pointers in the team’s 25-point first quarter and another in a 17-point second stanza as the Knights built an unassailable 18-point halftime margin.

While Werkenthin was dangerous from downtown, the Knights’ interior players were also effective. They did not shy away from the Raiders’ big man in the middle: 6-8 center Josiyah Thorn. Rather, the Knight players drove right at the big man on several possessions in the first half, creating open looks for teammates or drawing contact and resulting free throws.

The team also benefited from a great night on defense thanks in large part to the hustle and energy provided by defensive stalwarts Darius Lewis and Jeremiah Ashton.

The Knights extended their lead by six points in the second half for a 26-point margin of victory.

The Raiders routed the Knights by almost the exact same margin, 70-42, on Jan. 2, in a game where the Knights were short-handed.

McCallum’s next test is on the road at Travis on Tuesday. The Knights won the first round between the traditional rivals, 65-56, on Jan. 4.

Shout out to Emmett Sweeney for his continued help with the stats.