By Nick Boose, Reporter

The Knights captured their first regional title since 1999, defeating Rochelle in overtime in a come-from-behind victory.

The team started off slow with foul trouble and getting out-rebounded and at the half they were down 33-20. They came out of halftime with  intensity and slowly but surely cut the lead down.

“We’re a second half team. We never give up,”  senior Tyler Heinle said.

The team went on a 8-0 run to tie the game to send it into overtime, then continued with a 6-0 run to clinch the championship against the Hubs. The team never looked back as they pulled off a 65-61 comeback victory.

It was the season’s biggest win, but winning has been the Knights’ specialty this season.

The team had just come off a huge victory against Sycamore in the first round of the class 3A Rochelle regional, defeating the Spartans 55-45, and faced off against Rochelle for the third time this season in regionals.

The team lost to Rockford East 66-54 in the first round of sectionals, but Coach Brian Johnson was happy with their success overall.

“The team started really strong. We were able to build early momentum and win us 17 games,” Johnson said.

The team’s record this season is 17-11. The Knights’ leading scorer has been senior Marcel Neil, who is averaging 13 points per game.

“Once I got here, it was really easy. I discovered that everyone here already knew me,” Neil said.

Neil has had a lot of success, but he credits the rest of the team, knowing that it’s not a single player game. “My scoring is all because of the teammates, they help out a lot. They set up nice screens and picks,” Neil said.

Neil said he clicked well with sophomore Thomas Williams, who averaged about ten points per game for the Knights.

“Marcel and I just had an instant bond when he came here,” Williams said.

All-conference players include Neil and Williams, and Heinle received Honorable Mention. The Knights finished conference tied for second with Yorkville.