Indians Thump Two Foes to Move to 4-1
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa/Newton–The Oskaloosa girls’ basketball team posted a pair of lopsided victories last week as it continues its strong start to the season.
OHS (4-1, 1-1 LHC) dropped Mount Pleasant 62-41 last Tuesday and then defeated Newton 59-34 last Friday in Little Hawkeye Conference action.
The Indians led just 44-37 after three quarters against the Panthers, but ran away with the win by outscoring Mount Pleasant 18-4 in the final eight minutes of regulation.
Oskaloosa was up 13-11 entering the second period and 31-25 at the midway point, when Addison Carter had 12 points and Presley Blommers managed 10.
Blommers, who finished with the final six points of the first half for the Indians, resumed her offensive attack in the latter half to finish with a team-high 23 points. Carter concluded the victory with 15 points, while Macie Krier was next with seven. Lucy Roach (6) and Asia Thompson (5) were also contributors in the win.
Overall, OHS outshot MP 36.9%-24.0%, including a 30.6%-17.6% mark from the perimeter. Led by five three-pointers from Carter, the Indians notched 11 long balls total. The squad overcame a quiet evening at the free-throw line, going just 3-for-4, while the Panthers were 14-for-23.
The Indians also recorded a 38-31 rebounding advantage, paced by Aubree Blanco with 12 boards. Blommers also distributed the ball well with six assists, while Carter and Roach each stole two passes.
Three nights later, Oskaloosa again closed strong, garnering its first league victory in the process. Trailing 10-9 following the first quarter, the Indians outscored Newton 12-9 in the second stanza to lead 21-19 at the break.
That was all she wrote as OHS dominated the second half with quarter scores of 17-5 and 21-10.
Blommers’ 20 points were a game high. She did a bit of everything, also tallying six rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
Thompson had a huge game as well, finishing with 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting. She notched a double-double, also managing 10 rebounds in addition to five blocks.
Blanco, with seven (also 15 rebounds), and Gracee Flaherty, with five, were in the mix offensively as well.
OHS owned a 38.2%-26.0% shooting edge and outscored the Cardinals 12-6 at the line. A 40-35 rebounding advantage was also secured by the victors.
“After a slow start, we picked it up in the second half,” Head Coach TC Cunningham said. “I was very pleased with our energy and effort.”
Next Up: Oskaloosa wraps up its pre-holiday schedule with a busy week of contests, beginning with a trip to Burlington Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The Indians then host Norwalk Friday in LHC play at 6:15 p.m. before also hosting Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
