Keota loses to Belmond-Klemme, places fourth

DES MOINES - They won one. When you haven't been to the state basketball tournament for 25 years, that's important to remember.The Keota Eagles were held to 23 points in the second half and dropped their Class 1A consolation game Friday morning to Belmond-Klemme, 68-53. It was just Keota's second appearance at state, its first since 1987.'You can't take anything away from what we've done all year long," said Keota Coach Dan Stout. "We've had a heck of a season this year. It's our first trip up here in a long time."Keota (25-3) trailed at halftime, 36-30, but was outscored by a 20-9 margin in the third quarter, as Belmond-Klemme (24-4) essentially put the game away. Court Christianson was smoking from the perimeter, hitting five treys in a game-high 23-point performance for the Broncos, who played in their first state tourney.Belmond made it twice, all the way back in 1973 and 1981.Nate Owen, Keota's lone junior starter, had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Luke Lyle added 15 points and Kolton Greiner 10, though both were heled under their season averages.Here is the game boxscore:

keota by Jeff Johnson