Kings 86 Rattlers 66
A huge fourth quarter was just what the doctor ordered for the RDC Kings.
Sparked by a trio of three-pointers from fifth-year Spanish forward Ramiro Martinez Quintanilla Jimenez, the Kings scored 29 points in the fourth and rolled 86-66 over the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.
The Kings also had a big first quarter with 26 points but were outscored in the second and third and only led by four points heading into the final quarter.
Jimenez finished with 22 points, including six-of-eight from three-point range. He was player of the game for RDC in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association men’s basketball contest.
“We had a really good first quarter, scored a bunch of points and then really good fourth quarter, I thought the catalyst was Ramiro Jimenez, he was hitting from long range which stretches the floor and opens up gaps and lanes for other players,” said Kings coach Darren Graham.
“I thought our defence was better (than Friday). Although there was only six points less we allowed. I thought we did a better job adjusting and varying up the defences and got them off guard. I was impressed, that was one of our most complete games.”
Tyronn King also had a strong game, pouring in 22 points along with seven rebounds.
Fifth-year guard Spencer Klassen added 14 points and although it wasn’t his best effort of the year, the Red Deer product had a special night Friday. In that game, Klassen had 15 points, which made him the Kings’ all-time scoring leader with 1,189 points, 10 more than Derek Zaharko.
Klassen said it was cool to set the new record at home, with plenty of friends and family in the crowd to support him.
” It was cool, especially because of all the great players that played here and are still mentors today,” Klassen said.
“Lloyd Strickland and Joel Carroll, there’s great players that play overseas like Shayne Stumpf, guys like that and Eric Bakker. It was pretty cool to learn from those guys and it just goes to show to kids in the community that if you have loyalty to a program, it really helps you help. You can grow and build and feel accomplished. Great things can come from it if you show some loyalty.”
With the win Saturday, the Kings are 8-7 and sit fourth in the ACAC South standings, two points up on the St. Mary’s Lightning and two back of the Briercrest College Clippers for third.
The Kings will take on the SAIT Trojans on Feb. 7, before hosting the Trojans on Feb. 8.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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