New addition Powell helps lead Kings past Kodiaks on the road

Brent Forster - RDC

In an afternoon tilt, the Red Deer College Basketball Kings had many contributors including a monster game from newcomer Daniel Powell, as they picked up their second win in as many days over the Kodiaks in Lethbridge. The Kings led at the half and once again limited the Kodiaks offensively in the fourth quarter with strong defence to earn a 90-83 victory.

The Kings hit the court with passion and outscored the Kodiaks 27-23 in the opening quarter. Daniel Powell led the Kings with 11 points while Cory Richardson picked up 5 points for the Kodiaks. In a close second quarter, the RDC Kings added 20 points while the Kodiaks responded with 19. Darien Valdes accumulated 6 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound for the Kings in the quarter. Kodiaks' Keanu Funa responded with 7 points. At the half, the RDC Kings held a 47-42 edge.

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks had their best offensive showing in the third quarter and put up 27 points. The Kings added 21 points and entered the fourth quarter down by 1 (69-68). Dshawn Tyrell contributed 5 points for the Kings. Daniel Lybbert scored 12 third quarter points for the Kodiaks.

Similar to yesterday, the Kings had a strong defensive performance in the final quarter and limited the Kodiaks to only 14 points while scoring 22. The Red Deer College Kings earned a 90-83 win and picked up 4-of-4 points in the standings. 

Spencer Klassen missed several games in the first half of the Kings' season due to injury and played a solid road game. The Bachelor of Education student from Red Deer totaled 16 points, 1 block, 4 assists and 5 rebounds while hitting 4-of-5 three-point attempts. As a team, the Kings shot 46.8% from the field and stacked up 9 more rebounds than their opponent (45-36).  

Powell finished with 25 points, 1 steal, 2 assists, 17 rebounds and went 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. The forward from Phoenix, Arizona was added at the break and was chosen as the player-of-the game for the Kings. Keanu Funa led the way for the Kodiaks with 21 points.

Kings Basketball Head Coach Clayton Pottinger appreciated Powell's effort but thinks that he has another level to his game. "Daniel had a good game but is still feeling things out with us. I believe that he hasn't played to his full potential at this point," said Pottinger. "He was strong on the boards with 17 rebounds, scored 25 points and could be a real anchor for us."

Pottinger was proud of his team. "It was a battle once again. The game was tight and it went back-and-forth over four quarters," said Pottinger. "I am very proud of our guys. We were able to hold them to 83 points and our conditioning seemed to wear them down."

The RDC Kings (5-4) will host the Briercrest College Clippers (0-9) in a pair of games next weekend. On Friday, January 19, the Kings will compete against the Clippers at 8:00 p.m. on their home court. The two teams will play again on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The Kings sit in fourth spot in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Basketball South Division with 10 points.