Facing a zone defense, the Aberdeen Christian boys' basketball team found itself in a shooting zone Saturday afternoon at the Aberdeen Civic Arena.
The Knights tied a school record with 11 three-point field goals on the way to a 70-32 non-conference victory over Edmunds Central.
"They played a zone and we just have good shooters," said Christian coach Dave Palmer. "It was hard not to pass it up."
Christian nailed four three-pointers in the opening quarter to bolt out to a 22-2 advantage. The hosts finished the first half 7-of-14 from long range to help account for a 41-6 lead at the break.
Sam Palmer nailed seven three-pointers in the contest and ended with a game-high 25 points. Job Niewenhuis added nine points, Noah Aderhold eight, Matt Rohrbach and Seth Lundeen seven apiece, and Tanner Droog and Josh Holsing six each.
"The kids played very unselfish and together as a team," Coach Palmer noted.
Brady Aman scored eight points to top Edmunds Central.
The three-point barrage was nothing new for the Knights, who have had double-digit treys in a game numerous times before.
Rohrbach is the school record holder with eight in a game, Palmer had seven on Saturday and Droog had six in a win last week.
Coach Palmer noted that Aderhold and Lundeen were a combined 6-for-6 from the field, including three three-pointers against Edmunds Central.
"Those kids are capable shooters, too," Palmer said.
Christian has now won four straight to improve to 5-2 on the season. The team hosts Northwestern in a Lake Region Conference game at 8 p.m. Monday at the Civic Arena.
"I think Northwestern will be much improved," Palmer said. "They have solid kids. That will really be a battle for us."
The Knights, who are unbeaten at home this season, also host Summit on Thursday.
"We have the best home floor of any B school in the state and they love playing there," Palmer said of his players. "If we could defend our turf and win those games, that would be exciting."
EDMUNDS CENTRAL: Kevin Scherr 2 0-0 4, Ethan Aman 2 0-0 4, Brady Aman 4 0-0 8, Daniel Baer 1 2-2 4, Zach Sahli 2 0-0 5, Bryce Malsam 3 1-2 7. Totals 14 3-4 32.
ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN: Noah Aderhold 3 0-0 8, Matt Rohrbach 2 2-2 7, Tanner Droog 3 0-0 6, Job Niewenhuis 3 3-5 9, Sam Palmer 9 0-0 25, Seth Lundeen 3 0-0 7, Tanner Iwerks 1 0-0 2, Josh Holsing 3 0-0 6. Totals 27 5-7 70.
Edmunds Central (1-6)| 2 6 18 32
Aberdeen Christian (5-2)|22 41 58 70
3-point field goals -- Sahli, Aderhold 2, Rohrbach, Palmer 7, Lundeen. Total fouls -- Edmunds Central 5; Aberdeen Christian 10. Rebounds -- Edmunds Central 27 (Aman 6); Aberdeen Christian 30 (Aderhold 7). Turnovers -- Edmunds Central 18; Aberdeen Christian 9. Assists -- Aberdeen Christian 19 (Rohrbach 9). Blocked Shots -- Aberdeen Christian 3. Steals -- Aberdeen Christian 6. JV Game -- Aberdeen Christian won.