JEFFERSON TWP — Sure, they are non-section games.

In the grand scheme of things, they mean very little in determining the playoff fate of the Knoch boys basketball team.

But Knights coach Chris Andreassi wanted to see a better score against Perry Traditional Academy than what he saw on the scoreboard Wednesday night.

Perry 66, Knoch 45.

The Knights will play Greensburg Salem in another nonsection clash Friday to conclude its two-game section respite.

"Nice little break," Andreassi said. "Perry and Greensburg Salem."

Perry left the Knoch HighSchool gym with a 13-7 record. When Knoch goes to Greenburg Friday night, it will find a 17-1 team waiting for it.

But that's OK with Andreassi. He's looking to toughen up his team for the tough section and playoff opponents who lie ahead.

"We want to play them and we want to get better," Andreassi said. "That's the thing. Is this game going to make us better?"

And the answer?

"Yeah," Andreassi said. "I think so."

The game would have been much closer if not for a chaotic two minute stretch in the third quarter that saw Perry roll off 10 straight points.

As fast as a gust of wind, the Commodores turned a tenuous two-point lead into a 12-point bulge.

Knoch (12-7) scrambled to get back into the game, but it couldn't.

Perry's pressure caught up to the Knights in the third period. For a stretch, it was a chore for Knoch just to get the basketball past halfcourt.

"We've been getting away from that a bit," said Perry coach Marco Corona. "But that's when we are at our best."

Knoch had 13 turnovers in the game, but most came in the third quarter.

The Knights played close to Perry in the first two quarters, leading at one point 16-10 before the Commodores closed the first period with six straight points.

The last time Knoch led was at 21-20 with two minutes remaining in the half. Then Perry once again closed a quarter with a bang, leading 28-23 at the half.

It never trailed again.

Rob Briggs led Knoch with 14 points. But he was just 3-of-16 shooting. Two of his field goals were 3-pointers.

Alex Whisler scored all eight of his points in the third quarter, and Kyle Reiser scored eight of his nine points in the fourth.

Unfortunately for Knoch, it couldn't get consistent scoring.

DevonBlake scored 20 points to pace Perry.

PERRY 66Nate Lofton 1-1 0-0 2, Chauney Howard 3-4 0-0 6, Dustin Haynes 1-4 0-0 2, Devon Blake 9-17 2-2 20, Cory Summerville 5-7 2-7 12, Jordan Sales 2-4 1-3 4, Ryan Nelson 1-1 0-0 2, Tyrone Allen 5-10 0-0 10, Raemon Gray 2-4 2-2 7.

Totals: 29-52 7-14 66

KNOCH 45Shawn Samek 1-4 2-4 4, Michael Gallagher 2-9 2-2 8, Andrew Wirtz 0-2 0-0 0, Kyle Reiser 4-8 1-2 9, Jacob McTighe 0-1 0-0 0, Aaron Boldy 1-2 0-0 2, Rob Briggs 3-16 6-8 14, Alex Whisler 4-9 0-0 8.

Totals: 15-51 11-16 45

Perry 16 12 23 15—66Knoch 16 7 11 11—453-point goals: Perry (Gray); Knoch (Gallagher 2, Briggs 2)

JV: Perry 52-41

Friday: Knoch at Greensburg Salem