Photo by Tonya Harrison: Bryce Harrison dribbles for Southeast Valley during a Class 2A substate final on Satruday night against Unity Christian in Storm Lake.

STORM LAKE — Kyle Johnson faced a dejected locker room following Southeast Valley’s 65-48 Class 2A substate final loss to second-ranked Unity Christian here on Saturday night.

Johnson’s Jaguars weren’t discouraged because they were overwhelmed by the Knights. Quite the contrary: his team felt like it let a golden opportunity slip away.

“They’re all competitors first and foremost,” said Johnson, a 1992 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate. “They wanted to win. They weren’t there for a moral victory. And they left it all on the floor.”

Unity Christian (22-2 overall) used a 21-6 fourth-quarter run to finally shake free of Southeast Valley, which led 21-10 after the opening period and by eight points still at halftime. The Jaguars were held to 11 second-half points, though, as the offense stalled and the Knights buckled down with their depth and experience.

“After the game, I wrote ’21-2′ on the board,” said Johnson, the Twin Lakes Conference coach of the year in his 16th overall season at the helm. “I asked them if they could look me in the eye and honestly say they thought we were going to get this far.

“Undefeated in the TLC, first substate championship appearance (as Southeast Valley)…just so many things to be proud of and thankful for. I can’t say enough about them and their belief in each other.”

Junior Bryce Harrison had 11 points and classmate Casey Hanson added 10 for the Jaguars, with another junior — Karson Roper — next in line with nine. Six-foot-4 Unity Christian junior Tyce Van Donge led all scorers with 28 points, making 10 of 13 shots from the floor and 8 of his 11 free throws.

“I think we had them rattled early with our full-court defense,” Johnson said. “We were making things happen and hustling all over the court. Plus we hit some tough shots.

“(The Knights) adjusted well to our zone and man press, though, and we haven’t seen a man-to-man defense like theirs all year. They’re tough, talented, long and physical. I think their big-game experience really helped them, and we got into some foul trouble. They have a lot of pieces back from last year’s (state semifinal squad).”

Johnson knows the future is bright for his Jaguars, who are slated to return all but one starter in 2026-27. For now, though, he is focused on a small but mighty senior class.

“Cornell Lowery is my top example of how much improvement a player can make from a freshman to a senior season,” Johnson said. “It was remarkable. He’s the best communicator I’ve had on the basketball court, too. He set the tone. Always asking questions and showing leadership skills. I really hope a school gives him an opportunity at the (collegiate) level.

“Nick Field is a hard worker who gave us everything he had, and Lincoln Akins was a really talented three-point shooter who was fun to watch. These seniors did an outstanding job of creating this culture of success.”

Lowery appeared in one varsity game as a junior and didn’t attempt a single shot. Akins saw the court twice a year ago. Field didn’t make a single varsity start.

This season, Lowery averaged 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds; Akins knocked down a team-best 35 three-pointers; and Field was in the starting lineup 15 times.

“Our (returning) guys know they’ll have to keep putting in the work,” Johnson said. “They’re multi-sport kids who will compete. We just have to work more specifically on our basketball skills. This group gets after it defensively, but we have to become more well-rounded on offense and a better overall shooting team.

“I have confidence in them. This has been a really fun ride. We couldn’t be more thankful for the support from the community, both (Saturday night) and all season long.”