The Keota boys and girls basketball teams made sure Homecoming 2026 was a happy one Thursday night, rolling to a pair of wins over the visiting HLV Warriors. The girls started the night with a 47-32 victory. Keota led 11-6 after one quarter and still was on top 25-18 at half. The Eagle defense allowed just one field goal in the first 13 minutes of the second half to extend the lead and secure the victory. Following the contest, Eagle head coach Jeff Sprouse talked about his team’s keys in the win and on defense. “Second half we had to get off to a good start because we didn’t end the first half very well. To go 13 minutes only allowing one basket, the defense has got to carry when the offense is struggling. Cameron (Haifley) gets going downhill she’s pretty hard to stop. Emily (Conger) is too for that matter when she’s able to get to the basket.”

The Eagles won turnovers 16-15 and rebounding by nine. Cameron Haifley led the Eagle attack with 18 points, Emily Conger scored a dozen. Emery Hall led HLV with 13 points. The Eagle girls are now 12-4 overall with the win and 7-4 in conference as the Warriors drop to 4-10 and 2-9 respectively.

The Keota boys finished the sweep by a 62-33 score. The Eagles held a slim lead at 9-8 after one quarter but turned up the heat on the Warriors in the second, forcing nine turnovers and outscoring HLV in a 28-9 run that spanned the entire frame to lead 37-17 at half. Keota outscored HLV after half 25-16 to secure the win. Following the victory, Eagle junior Ayden Galindo joined the KCII Postgame show to talk about the win. “We focused on pressing them. We saw it was working and we kept it going. Once you see their shots not going, and we were rebounding, we’re getting out and going, it’s definitely a good feeling. Rebounding is about reading the ball off the rim, jumping up as high as I can to get the ball. The crowd was all pumped up and we’re going! You could feel the momentum, you almost feel like you’re floating, it’s great! I love my teammates, it’s awesome out there!”

Keota won turnovers 29-13 and rebounding by 13. Porter Cave posted a game high 20 points for the Eagles, Chase Haifley had 13 points and Blake Baker 11 to make up the Keota trio in double figures. HLV got 12 points from Sean McCulloch. Keota is now 11-4 on the year and 7-4 in league play as HLV slips to 3-11 on the season and 1-10 in conference.