Oskaloosa Girls Mauled by Panthers
Oskaloosa’s Alexis Westercamp shows some emotion during a tough match-up with Knxoville on Friday night.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Looking to bounce back from a rough opening night, the Oskaloosa girls welcomed the Knoxville Panthers Friday night. What they got were some very determined guests, as the Panthers fought through some cold shooting in the first half and ended by walking away with a 52-37 win.
The first half saw very sloppy play on both sides of the ball. If both teams were not turning the ball over they were fouling each other in what seemed like every other possession. Knoxville’s trapping defense was causing Osky trouble from the opening tip. When Osky could get through the traps, they found themselves with layups.
Richardson was hounded all game long, but was still finding ways to try to keep her team in it. Buckets by Richardson, fellow Senior Asia Laudermilch and Sophomore Alexis Westercamp kept Osky close, as they trailed 15-11 at the half.
Both teams came out in the second half hot on the offensive sides of the ball, as both teams were trading baskets. Richardson caught fire from long distance, as she had 3 second half 3’s. Meanwhile, Laudermilch and Westercamp were hitting short 5-7 jumpers to try and mount a comeback. The Panthers were also finding the going good in the third, as they were carving up the Osky defense and, at times, still pressuring the Indians into costly turnovers. The Panthers lead 37-28 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter quickly found the Knoxville lead expanding as Osky turned the ball over twice and the Panthers capitalized, as they had easy baskets to swell the lead to 14. Osky broke the cold start to the 4th with a Westercamp layup, but the Indians fighting was too little too late, as the Panthers won 52-37.
The Indians were led by Richardson with 17 pts., Laudermilch with 10 pts. and 9 rebs., and Westercamp with 8 pts. and 5 rebs.
The Lady Indians are now 0-2 and look to get on the winning side of things Tuesday night as they host Centerville.
