Two area boys basketball teams battled to the final horn in the season opener Monday night. The Lone Tree Lions (1-0) began their season hosting the Keota Eagles (0-1) in a non-conference showdown. The Lions scored the final six points of the fourth quarter to edge the Eagles, 76-74.

Four Lone Tree players finished with 12 or more points. Niko Gosnell scored a team-best 25 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Jovonte Squiers scored all 15 of his points in the second half, including four of the Lions’ final six. He added six assists, six rebounds, and eight steals. Michael Schmidt and Brock Smith each scored 12 points and tallied six rebounds. .

Keota made 14 three-point baskets. Hunter Wilson scored a game-high 29 points, including seven made three-pointers. Jacob Wickenkamp added 24 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

Both teams enter conference play tonight. Lone Tree hosts Iowa Mennonite School (0-0) in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference opener. Keota enters South Iowa Cedar League play at home versus Belle Plaine (0-0).