Indians Lose Heartbreaker 59-58 To Norwalk
Oskaloosa Indians
by Doug DeKock
That game didn’t just end like that, did it? That was the question Oskaloosa fans were mumbling to themselves after Oskaloosa was called for a foul with one second left in the game and the score tied at 58. In what was an outstanding basketball game between two very good teams, it was an unfortunate ending for Oskaloosa. Norwalk junior, Luke Vaske, rose up for a 15 foot jump shot that missed badly, Oskaloosa thought the game was going to overtime but the officials said Vaske was hit on the arm. Replay of the shot was difficult to tell if a foul was committed but you hate to see such a good game end like that.
The game was played at a high level from the start as Oskaloosa led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter. The Indians would extend the lead to eight points at one point in the second quarter before freshman sensation, Bowen Born, would go off for Norwalk. The freshman hit three straight three pointers in a
one-minute span to put the Warriors back on top 30-29 late in the second quarter. Norwalk would outscore Oskaloosa 4-2, the rest of the quarter to take a 34-31 halftime lead. The third quarter would go back and forth with Norwalk holding on to a slim one point lead at the end of the third 48-47. That would set up a tension packed quarter with Oskaloosa battling back from a late four point deficit to tie the game at 58. Norwalk would get the ball to Vaske who tried to drive but then had to pull up for the last shot. The whistle blew and Osky was called for a foul with one second left. Vaske would go to the line for two shots, Vaske missed the first attempt and Oskaloosa called “timeout” to freeze him up. Vaske would swish the second shot and Oskaloosa’s desperation heave was no good.
Cole Henry bounced back from a couple of sub-par games to lead Oskaloosa in scoring along with Jack Moore at 14 points apiece. Henry also had a nice game on the boards with nine rebounds and just missing his third double double of the year. Jarad Kruse had 10 points and six rebounds, Spencer Tucker added eight points while Rian Yates and Xavier Foster each scored six points.
The freshman sensation, Bowen Born, led Norwalk with 22 points while Luke Vaske added 16 for the Warriors.
Oskaloosa falls to 5-3 overall on the season and 1-3 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. Norwalk improves to 5-4 on the season and 2-2 in the conference. Oskaloosa is in action Saturday night in a makeup game against Eddyville. Game time is 7:00pm.
