It’s been a long while since Kingman boys basketball has topped of the list of teams to beat in the state. One must go back to the ‘05 season to find Kingman’s last winning record season. Yet this year, Kingman has been finding ways to win whether it’s Beau Gault, senior, driving to the basket and laying it in for a last second victory or fellow senior Luke Adelhardt giving Kingman an incredible lead with his 3-point shooting ability. Either way, the Eagles have continued to pull out win after win and solidify their position as one of the area’s elite teams.

After bringing home the 1st place trophy at the Roadrunner Classic, the Eagles had a week to prepare for Augusta. The Eagles played consistently, winning 66-55. Sam Clouse, senior, dominated inside as he scored 18 points and had 9 rebounds. Adelhardt put up 17 points for the Eagles.

February 6th was the setting for one of the boys’ most rigorous away games. Andover Central was 11-5 coming into their homecoming game against the Eagles and were looking to be the first team to beat Kingman on the road, but the Eagles had other plans. Kingman controlled the game the first half, hitting shots, fighting for rebounds, and playing strong defense as they held the Jags, a team that averaged nearly 60 points a game, to just 22. It was a different story in the second half though as Andover Central worked their way back into the game. As it has many times this season, the game was decided in the final moments. With less than 3 seconds left, Gault was fouled while attempting a potential game-clinching shot. Gault sunk both free throws and again Kingman pulled out a miraculous win 57-55. Hunter Hageman, senior, went 7 of 10 from the field and led the Eagles with 15 points.

The Eagles were on a 5 game winning streak and had yet to lose on the road. That was before they took on the Pratt Greenbacks. In a hard fought effort, the Eagles fell to their opponent on a last second shot from nearly half court 53-50.

Kingman seemed winded coming into their homecoming showdown with Rose Hill. The Eagles struggled through the first quarter and found themselves on the short end of a 19-6 score. The team fought their way back into the game, but it just wasn’t enough as the Rockets triumphed 60-52. The Eagles hit just 34.7% of their shots including 1 of 15 from behind the arch. Gault led the Eagles in scoring with 15, followed by Clouse with 13 points and 9 rebounds.

Kingman dropped their next two games at Clearwater, 57-53, and Wellington, 63-41. With four straight losses, the Eagles were in a rut until they traveled to Andale on February 24. Kingman controlled the game taking an early lead and holding on to win in convincing fashion, 62-41.

Now, Kingman’s record stands 13-6 going into their final regular season game against Circle on Thursday. The Eagles will have to lay it all on the line as they look to play hard and pick up some more momentum going into sub-state.