Osky Boy’s Big Win over Big Red
Oskaloosa Indians
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Tuesday night brought the Centerville Big Red to Oskaloosa to take on the Indians in a non-conference game. Osky was looking to rebound from a poor showing last Friday night in a loss to Knoxville. It looked like the Big Red may pull off the win as the Indians lead slipped away. The Indians held on for the victory to go to 2-1 on the season.
From the opening tip, senior Ki-Jana DeJong was a man on a mission, as his early season struggles were quickly forgotten. DeJong hit a jumper from inside the paint for the first basket of the game and a quick 2-0 lead. That lead was short lived as the Indians struggled the entire night trying to keep the Big Red from scoring points inside the paint. Time and again the Big Red found easy driving layups and short jump shots, as they took the lead early in the quarter. DeJong was doing his best to keep the Indians in it as he had a rebound and a putback to get the score to 9-6, but the guests from Centerville went on a run to close the first quarter. Senior Ryan Reiter made two free throws and sophomore Jack Moore hit a layup to pull the Indians to 16-10.
The one man show in DeJong started the second quarter off right as he had another rebound and putback and then nailed another jumper, getting the Indians within 2 at 16-14 Centerville. Oskaloosa seemed to find their groove as freshman Tanner DeKock hit a baseline jumper to knot the game at 16-16. Both teams would find the going rough, as they were both starting to get into foul trouble.
At times Osky was not responding to Centerville’s pressure as they were struggling with turnovers. DeJong continued to be a one man wrecking crew as he was hit in stride for a fast break layup and foul. The Indians went up 19-16. Both teams continued to trade baskets for the remainder of the second quarter, including Reiter who drained a long 3 going into the halftime break. With Reiter’s 3 pointer, the Indians were up 32-26 at the half.
With DeJong coming off of a 16 point first half, the Indians came out focused and on fire. DeKock hit what is becoming his trademark spot with the baseline jumper, then Moore hit a pull up jumper and the Indians were running full throttle. Senior Max Johnson was then fed a pass from DeKock for a layup and a 38-28 lead. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter, but the Indians took a 48-42 lead into the final stanza.
Centerville came out in the 4th showing that they were ready to battle till the very end. The Big Red kept driving to the basket, scoring at will on layups. The Indians found themselves in trouble as the Big Red were only behind by 2 at 55-53. Moore and Reiter were clutch as they kept answering for the Indians. With a layup by Reiter and must-have free throws, the Indians had the lead at 60-57 with 10 seconds left on the clock. Centerville had two looks at 3 point shots but failed both as Oskaloosa came away with a hard fought exciting 60-57 victory.
The Indians were led by DeJong with 20 pts., 10 rebs. and 2 blks.; Reiter with 16 pts., 9 rebs. and 3 blks.; Moore with 12 pts., 2 rebs. and 1 blk.; DeKock with 6 pts. and 2 assists; and Johnson with 6 pts. and 5 assists.
Oskaloosa is now 2-1 on the season already exceeding last year’s win total. The Indians will be in action Friday night as they travel to Pella to take on Pella Christian in Little Hawkeye Conference action.
