Coach Hunter reaches 400-win milestone

Brooke Kern

Grant County Herald

West Central Area head boys basketball coach reached 400 career wins as the Knights topped Minnewaska 80-46 Friday, Feb. 17, at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood.

WCA coach Kraig Hunter is in his 27th season as head coach of the boys program.

“It means that I have been blessed to be able to be surrounded by so many good people throughout the years,” Hunter said of the milestone.

“I don’t consider this a milestone for myself, but for everyone that has been part of our successful program. I cherish the relationships with all of the wonderful players that we’ve had, and thankful for a wonderful WCA community,” he added.

Against the Lakers, the Knights shot 61 percent, hitting 11-of-24 from deep, for the West Central Conference victory.

Hunter said, “We played an all-around good game tonight. The ball was moving and we had a lot of assisted baskets. We had a very active defense. We were very balanced in scoring, rebounds, assists and the defensive contributions.”

The Knights held a 34-22 rebounding edge. Minnewaska was 16-of-45 overall for 36 percent, but they did make 12-of-28 threes for 43 percent from beyond the arc.

Mitch Dewey led the Knights with 17 points. Cole Anderson and Cam Anderson also finished in double-digits with 11 points each. Cole Anderson dished out five assists.

“I thought Jacob Strunk, Bryce Kjesbo, and Nas Dotts all had good all-around floor games,” said Hunter.

Strunk had 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Kjesbo added 10 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals, and Dotts had two points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  

Ben Bye was 4-for-4 from the floor for eight points and led the team with nine rebounds. Damon Sanstead finished with four points and six rebounds. Brett Amundson and Sam Hanson both added a free throw while Amundson also grabbed three boards.

Lakers were led by Hunter Kloos with 22 points.

The Knights are now 15-7 and are scheduled to host three home games next week. The Knights next play Benson Tuesday, Feb. 21 and will next close out the week against Barnesville Thursday, Feb. 23 and BOLD Friday, Feb. 24. All three games are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. tip-offs, in Barrett.