JEFFERSON TWP — Five Section 1-4A teams have tried and failed to upend Knoch's boys basketball this season.

Freeport was the latest to take a shot and the Yellowjackets are now licking their wounds.

Knoch's 20-0 run in the second quarter turned a once close game into a rout as the Knights (11-3, 5-0) remained undefeated in section play with an 82-59 home win Tuesday night.

When Freeport's Jalen Brown sank a bucket in the opening moments of the second quarter, Knoch held the slimmest of leads at 14-13. The next time the Yellowjackets scored — Brown's basket with just under two minutes left in the first half, Knoch's lead was 34-15.

By halftime, the margin was 39-15.

The Knights' dominance was twofold. During the run, they committed just one turnover while the 'Jackets gave up eight possessions. Meanwhile, Freeport made just two of its 14 attempts from the field in the period.

“We talked about guarding better after that first quarter and I think we did that,” said Knoch coach Ron McNabb. “We contested shots better and did a better job on the boards.”

For Freeport coach Wayne Greiser, foul trouble was another contributing factor.

“We had to put some kids in who just aren't used to certain spots,” he said. “We'd get to the rim and either miss the shot or turn the ball over. Knoch's got more height than us and they're a more physical team.”

Knoch junior Scott Fraser scored 14 of his team-leading 21 points in the first half. Three of his teammates — Jake Scheidt (18), Jared Schrecengost (12) and Julian Sanks (10) — also reached double figures.

“When we get going, we're hard to stop,” said Fraser. “We're more confident this year, especially with shooting the ball.”

Freeport (8-4, 3-2) emerged from its offensive lull in the third quarter, but Knoch put to bed any hopes of a comeback by scoring 16 points in the first three minutes of the period.

Brown led all scorers with 22 points.

Knoch's success, following a season in which the team won just a single section contest, may be a surprise to some, but not McNabb.

The Knights have won their five section games by an average margin of 27 points.

“We were in a brutal (Class 5A) section last year with teams like Moon and Mars,” he said. “A lot of our top players this season were thrown into the fire last year, but we knew it would pay off in the end. The kids matured a lot from that experience.”

And they're now enjoying the benefits.

“We've won nine straight games now,” said Fraser. “It's so much more fun than last year. We worked hard in the off-season and knew we could be a good team this year.”

FREEPORT 59

Vinnie Clark 2 0-1 6, Bradyn Clark 2 1-2 7, Jalen Brown 9 3-5 22, Garret Schaffhauser 2 2-2 6, Christian Waronsky 1 2-2 4, Aiden Skradski 3 0-0 8, Matt Aulicino 2 0-0 4, Jason Kijowski 1 0-0 2, Colin Gaspersic 0 0-2 0, Conner Holloway 0 0-1 0, Dan Lynch 0 0-0 0, Cole Charlton 0 0-0 0, Cole Furer 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 8-15 59.

KNOCH 82

Julian Sanks 3 3-3 10, Jared Schrecengost 6 0-0 12, Scott Fraser 7 6-8 21, Jake Scheidt 7 1-2 18, Cole Lassinger 3 0-0 6, Brady McKee 1 1-2 4, Rocky Kopac 0 2-2 2, Ryan Lang 2 4-4 9, Adam Bajuzik 0 0-0 0, Braden Tristani 0 0-0 0, Jack Skurka 0 0-0 0, Zach McMillen 0 0-0 0. Totals: 29 17-21 82.

Freeport 11 4 22 22 — 59

Knoch14 25 26 17 — 82

3-point goals: Knoch 7 (Scheidt 3, Fraser, Sanks, McKee, Lang).

JV: Knoch 46-36 (K-Ryan Lang 15; F-Dan Lynch 8)

Saturday: Freeport at Sewickley Academy; Beaver at Knoch