Knoch boys basketball continues run with emphatic victory over Freeport to extend streak to 11

January 13, 2026 Last Updated: January 13, 2026 11:04 PM Sports

Knoch’s Teegan Finucan (21) drives the ball past Freeport in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

JEFFERSON TWP — Joe Lafko tells his Knoch boys hoops team that, if the other team has 45 points or fewer at the end of the game, it usually results in a Knights win.

“I think that, in high school basketball, if you can hold a team under 45 points, you give yourself a real good chance to win,” he said recently. “That’s just the number that I’ve always worked with.”

At home against WPIAL Section 1-4A foe Freeport on Tuesday night, Knoch’s defense overachieved, posting a 54-28 win, its 11th in a row.

The Yellowjackets (5-7, 3-3) used patient, deliberate offensive sets to find points in the first quarter, but the Knights made it tougher in the one that followed. The windows got tighter, forcing Freeport into miscues. Lafko’s team made the visitors pay by posting 10 points off turnovers in the second frame, all as part of a 24-5 effort during the same span.

Knoch (12-2, 6-0) trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter, but allowed only nine points over the ensuing two frames. The Knights forced 15 turnovers on the night.

“I think our overall defensive effort changed in the second quarter,” Lafko said. “I thought that we were able to guard the basketball better but, more importantly, defend passing lanes. We were able to get some deflections, we have a little bit of transition.”

Knoch’s Roman DeFelice (13) shoots a 3-point shot against Freeport in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

“Once we picked up our defense, the offense came with it,” DeFelice said. “We turned defense into offense. ... We do defensive drills every single day. We have to get them almost perfect.”

Teegan Finucan tipped a pass near midcourt on Freeport’s initial possession of the second quarter, forcing an over-and-back call. Freeport could only sink one shot from the floor until halftime.

Vinny DeFelice knocked down a pair of 3-pointers as Knoch began to pull away. He finished with a team-high 16 points, while Finucan posted 15.

The Knights are rolling heading into the back half of their section slate.

“I think it’s been fun,” said Lafko, who is in his first year leading Knoch. “Winning is always fun. And I enjoy watching these guys play. ... They give effort in both practices and games, so I’m having a blast. I’m looking forward to, now, the second half of the section because everyone’s gonna play different.”

“They’re gonna wanna get back at us,” DeFelice said. “We’ve gotta stay locked in with all of them.”

FREEPORT 28

Bryson Paga 4 2-3 10, Carson Kane 3 0-0 8, Max Zigo 2 0-0 4, Gavin Tola 0 2-4 2, Owen Westendorf 1 0-0 2, Brayden Riddell 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 4-7 28.

KNOCH 54

Vinny DeFelice 6 2-2 16, Teegan Finucan 4 6-7 15, Roman DeFelice 3 2-4 8, Liam Avon 3 0-0 6, Derek Lang 3 0-0 6, Evan Fink 1 0-0 3. Totals: 20 10-13 54.

Freeport 10 5 4 9 — 28

Knoch 7 24 16 7 — 54

3-point goals: Knoch 4 (V. DeFelice 2, Finucan, Fink); Freeport 2 (Kane 2)

Friday: Knoch at Valley; Freeport at Deer Lakes

Knoch’s Roman DeFelice (13) shoots a 3-point shot against Freeport in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Teegan Finucan (21) drives the ball past Freeport in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Freeport’s Owen Westendorf (0) shoots over Knoch’s Jackson McCool (4) in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Liam Avon (24) chases a loose ball in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s (21) dribbles the ball down the court in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Derek Lang (2) takes it to the rim in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Freeport’s Gavin Tola (5) passes the ball in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Freeport’s Carson Kane (15) shoots over Knoch’s defense in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Freeport’s Bryson Paga (2) dribbles through Knoch’s defense in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Jackson McCool (4) passes the ball in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw