Boys Basketball Returns To The Win Column
Oskaloosa Indians
by Jamie Brockman
After a tough night at Pella Friday, the Oskaloosa boys bounced back with a 59-51 win at D-C-G Saturday.
Oskaloosa came out firing, jumping to an 11-4 lead, after a quick three from Austin Hafner and baskets from Xavier Foster, Rian Yates, and Tyler Miller on their way to a 20-13 advantage after the first quarter. D-C-G made defensive adjustments in between quarters applying full-court pressure, doubling up on Foster and face guarding Yates which caused problems for Oskaloosa allowing the Mustangs to gain a 28-26 halftime lead. The teams battled to a 38-38 tie after three quarters, and it was anybody’s game heading into the final eight minutes. Oskaloosa then picked up their intensity defensively, and Yates and Hafner drained nine free throws combined down the stretch as the Indians pulled away for the eight-point road win. Tyler Miller played his best game of the year, taking full advantage of his extended minutes due to the absence of Cole Henry. Miller scored a season-high eight points and was a difference maker with his intensity on defense. Miller also grabbed several offensive rebounds giving Oskaloosa extra possessions.
Coach Ryan Parker said, “It was a big win for us. It was nice to get back in the win column after a three-game skid. We didn’t take great care of the ball in the first half but took much better care of the ball in the second half, and made our free throws down the stretch”.
Regarding the play of Miller, Parker said, “Tyler did a great job guarding DC-G’s leader Luke Rankin. He got to a lot of loose balls and was intense. We knew he was capable of that, he’s been a bit inconsistent this season, and we need him to step up, especially now, and we saw that tonight”.
Foster led Oskaloosa with 20 points, Hafner added 14, including three 3 pointers in the first half. Yates scored eleven, and Miller had eight. Isaac Schultz added four and Noah Van Veldhuizen with two.
Oskaloosa improved to 10-5 overall and 6-3 in the LHC.
A tough week lies ahead as Oskaloosa returns to action at home Tuesday vs. Indianola for Senior night. Oskaloosa then travels to Pella Christian Thursday, and they finish the week hosting Norwalk on Saturday.
