Indians Open Season with Pair of Losses
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Oskaloosa boys’ basketball team began its 2022-2023 campaign last week with two setbacks.
OHS (0-2, 0-1 LHC) dropped its season opener 65-63 to non-conference foe Fairfield last Tuesday. The team then came up short versus Little Hawkeye Conference opponent Pella Christian 62-46 last Friday.
Fairfield 65, OHS 63 In a back-and-forth battle with the Trojans, the Indians rolled out to a 22-16 advantage after eight minutes on the hardwood. Unfortunately, Fairfield caught up with OHS by halftime as the Indian lead was trimmed to one at 34-33.
The edge exchanged hands in the second half with both teams posting sizeable runs.
Buoyed by a 42.3%-36.7% shooting edge, Oskaloosa was exceptional from beyond the arc at 11-for-25 (44.0%). Those numbers helped OHS counter being outrebounded 39-25 and also committing four more turnovers (14-10).
Both teams were spectacular at the stripe with the Trojans going 14-for-15 and OHS holding its own at 8-for-10. Max Roach was a perfect 6-for-6, including hitting two free throws in the final minute to tie the game. Unfortunately, Fairfield had the last say with a bucket with two seconds left to secure the victory.
Scholes knocked down four three-pointers en route to a team-high 14 points. The trio of Roach, Waylon Bolibaugh, and Gus Bunnell also reached double figures with 11 points each; Bunnell corralled nine rebounds.
Jakob Stek contributed eight points and Nathan Kelderman managed five points in the opener. Bolibaugh and Roach both distributed the ball well with five assists apiece, while Roach also posted three steals. In an attempt to match Roach’s defensive intensity, Scholes blocked three Fairfield shots.
Pella Christian 62, OHS 46
The Indians, who were outshot 48.1%-37.5%, struggled in the opening minutes in its LHC opener. Oskaloosa fell behind 15-6 after the first quarter and faced a double-figure deficit the rest of the evening.
The Indians held a slight edge from the perimeter by making eight three-pointers, compared to seven for PC, but could not make up for a 39-20 loss on the boards (15-6 offensive). Both sides committed 15 turnovers in the matchup.
Bolibaugh paced Oskaloosa offensively, scoring 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting (2-for-5 3-PT), while also managing five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Scholes just missed double digits with nine points, while the duo of Stek and Bunnell recorded seven points each. Roach’s two trifectas helped him to six points, while he also dished out a team-best four assists.
Next Up: Oskaloosa faces Indianola in an LHC road matchup Friday at 7:45 p.m.
