Keota Eagles basketball split a conference doubleheader Tuesday night at English Valleys. The Keota boys jumped out to a 15-8 lead after one quarter and pushed that advantage to double digits at the half. Outscoring English Valleys 24-12 in the third period allowed the Eagles to seize control for good, as they went on to defeat the Bears 71-48.

Junior Evan Vittetoe poured in a game-high 23 points, while classmate Sawyer Stout hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 14 points. Point guard Cole Kindred hit a pair of treys and finished with 14 points, eight assists and four steals, while sophomore forward Billie Kindred also had a strong all-around game with seven points, 15 rebounds and seven assists to help the Eagles win their seventh straight. Keota finishes conference play at 14-2, tied for second overall in the South Iowa Cedar League and champions of the East division.

The Keota girls dug themselves a 19-0 hole in the first quarter, but they very nearly climbed all the way back, largely thanks to 20-6 fourth-period run that cut English Valleys’ final margin of victory to 47-46. Senior Macie McDonald powered the near-comeback for the Eagles with seven threes and a team-high 21 points scored. Sophomore Kimberly Clarahan chipped in nine points, four rebounds and five assists. Keota falls to 6-9 in conference action and 7-13 overall. Both Eagle squads next play tomorrow night against Cardinal.