Cannon Falls Boys Basketball Edges Kenyon-Wanamingo

There were no big leads in a hard-fought Hiawatha Valley League Blue Division Cannon Falls 43-41 win over Kenyon-Wanamingo in the Bombers' Hangar on Friday night.

The Bombers got clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to win the game from 5-foot-10 junior Ryan Dirckx and 5-foot-10 senior Anthony Hurton. The pair combined to connect on five of six free throws in the final minute.

Cannon Falls finished the game with six three-point baskets and Kenyon-Wanamingo had two. The free throw line proved to be the difference in the game, with the Bombers connecting on 7 of 10 and Kenyon-Wanamingo 3 of 5. The Knights shot just one free throw in the second half and Cannon Falls did not shoot a free throw in the first half.

The score was 23-23 at the half.

Kenyon-Wanamingo scored 30 points in the Cannon Ace Hardware paint while Cannon Falls tallied 16. The Bombers were paced by Dirckx with 17 points and 6'1 senior Gavin Roosen led the Knights with 17 points also.

Cannon Falls head coach Josh Davisson said Kenyon-Wanamingo has improved a lot since their game earlier this season and applauded the efforts of two Bombers who finished the night with a combined six points: 5-foot-9 junior Chase Reber and 6-foot senior Jake Christenson had the job of trying to stay with Roosen and contesting his shots. They held him to two field goals and a free throw in the second half.

The Knights are still in search of their first conference win after snapping a 40-game losing streak on Thursday night. They are 0-9 in the H-V-L and 1-17 overall. Cannon Falls is 4-5 in the league and 4-13 overall.

Kenyon-Wanamingo is home against state-ranked Goodhue on Tuesday and Cannon Falls hosts Triton.

We will broadcast next Friday's (Feb. 10) game in the Castle against Zumbrota-Mazeppa.