Keota received a solid outing from Cole Kindred and Evan Vittetoe who accounted for a third of the team’s points but could not find a defensive answer for North Mahaska’s Nash Smith and Lane Harmon. North Mahaska, who had been ranked eighth before Christmas, posted a 69-40 win.
Smith was hot from outside, mid-range and in the paint scoring 31 points including seven 3-pointers and grabbing eight rebounds. Lane Harmon scored 15 with three 3-pointers, eight rebounds and three steals.
Kindred scored 13 points with six rebounds, four assists and three steals while Vittetoe added 10 points and nine boards. Sawyer Stout chipped in nine. Colten Clarahan had 10 rebounds and five assists.