Oskaloosa Boys Pull Off HUGE Road Win
Washington, Iowa – For anyone who has seen the Oskaloosa boy’s basketball team this season, you will notice one thing, the whole attitude has changed. Coach Ryan Parker and his staff have set the tone for what Osky has been waiting for, a competitive basketball team.
What Osky pulled off Tuesday night in Washington hasn’t happened in close to 3 years, that being a hard fought 67-57 road win over the host Demons.
Osky came out with a look of determination right from the start. Washington jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Jack Moore slashed into the lane, pulled up from 5 foot out and bang, the Indians were on the board 4-2. Washington pressed the Indians, but on this night the Indias were up to the task. Senior point guard Max Johnson and his teammates continued to break the press and the Indians were running their offense. Ryan Reiter drove hard to the basket for a layup 6-4 in favor of the Demons.
Reiter continued to be intense on offense by adding another basket. Freshman Tanner DeKock continued his strong start, putting up a 2 ft. shot to knot it up 8-8. DeKock continued to wreak havoc as he was determined to drive, getting rewarded with trips to the foul line. The buckets by Moore and Reiter tied the game at 13-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Moore hit a baseline jumper and junior Wade Votroubek hit a layup on a put back as the Indians looked to stretch the lead. Votroubek drilled another shot on a 15 foot jumper.
The Indians lead was 19-13.
The one bad note was both Moore and Votroubek drew their second fouls, putting them in a seat on the bench for the remainder of the first half.
Washington was hanging around as they were hitting 3 point shots and Oskaloosa was having a hard time closing out on defense. The score was all tied at 24.
Osky needed to get the momentum back before the half. Reiter lead the Indians, driving to the hoop, scoring the layup and drawing the foul. Reiter nailed the free-throw. Before the half was over, Reiter would score once again, helping to lead the Indians to a 31-27 advantage at the half.
The third quarter was the Jack Moore show. The sophomore was literally in the driver’s seat as he drove repeatedly to the basket.
The Demons continued to answer, draining 3’s to stay in the game. Ultimately, Washington would end up with 10-3 point field goals on the night.
Oskaloosa continued to trade baskets with Washington. DeKock hit a beautiful tear drop shot to put the Indians up by 6 at 43-37.
The Indians closed the quarter on a layup by Moore, who was fouled in the process. Osky leads 46-39 going into the 4th quarter.
Oskaloosa was looking to close out what has become a very rare thing, a road win.
Washington wasn’t going away easily. The Demons drained another 3 point shot, and poured in two more shots from the field to tie the game up at 47.
Oskaloosa needed a shot in the arm, and junior Votroubek was the answer. Votruobek came out on fire. Votroubek hit back-to-back layups, followed by Johnson hitting a short jumper. The Indians then got two more baskets by Votroubek.
The Indians lead was 57-49.
Washington continued to claw their way back to within 4 points. Votroubek along with Reiter helped to keep the Indians on the right track. DeKock and Moore hit free throws down the stretch to put the nails in the coffin of Washington, and earning Oskaloosa the win, 67-57.
Leading the way for the Indians was Reiter with 19 pts., 13 rebs., 2 asst. and 2 blks.; Moore with 17 pts., 6 rebs., 2 asst., 1 blk; Votroubek with 15 pts., 4 rebs.; and DeKock with 12 pts. and 5 rebs.
The Indians are now 3-2 on the season and are back in action Friday night as they take on Grinnell in Little Hawkeye Conference action.