Indians Bookend Week with Pair of Wins
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Oskaloosa girls’ basketball team notched two victories last week, but unfortunately also came up short to one of the top teams in the league.
OHS (8-5, 2-5 LHC) opened the week with a 45-28 Little Hawkeye win over Pella Christian last Tuesday. The squad then fell to #6 Grinnell 77-30 in an LHC bout Friday, but bounced back to defeat Washington 58-32 in non-conference play Saturday.
OHS 45, Pella Christian 28
Behind a stout first quarter (19 points) and fourth quarter (17 points), the Indians won a defensive battle versus the Eagles. The team overcame a weak middle portion that saw it tally only nine points through 16 minutes of competition.
Oskaloosa outshot Pella Christian 35.7%-27.3%, but was outrebounded 27-24. The difference-maker, however, came in ball control as the Eagles committed 25 turnovers, compared to just 11 for OHS.
The victors connected on nine three-pointers, including five from Addison Carter as part of her 15 points and three from Presley Blommers. Blommers, who also pulled down seven rebounds and managed five assists, led all players with 19 points.
Aubree Blanco also got into the mix with seven points and a crew-high eight rebounds.
“We shot well and played good defensive in the second half,” Head Coach TC Cunningham said. “It was a total team effort.”
Grinnell 77, OHS 30
The Indians proved to be stiff competition in the early minutes against Grinnell, but could not keep up the pace in Friday’s setback. Oskaloosa trailed just 20-13 after the first quarter, but was unable to reach double figures the remaining three periods.
OHS was outshot 40.6%-28.2%, lost the rebounding battle 37-22, and committed 16 more turnovers (25-9).
Blommers, the team’s leading scorer, was held to only three points. Although she did not score at a high rate, she was able to produce in other ways, tallying five assists and five steals.
Blanco stepped up in Blommers’ stead, posting 15 points on 7-for-13 shooting, in addition to seven steals. Carter just missed double figures with nine points.
OHS 58, Washington 32
Following a good night’s sleep, Oskaloosa regrouped and took it to the Demons in a non-conference tilt. OHS shot 43.1% and turned the ball over just nine times.
Blommers knocked down five three-pointers en route to 19 points. She also posted six rebounds and six steals. Asia Thompson joined her in double figures with 12 points, while also topping the defense with five blocks. Blanco contributed eight points.
Carter got into the defensive fun as well with five more thefts; she also matched Macie Krier with five assists.
Next Up: Oskaloosa returns home Friday to meet #4 Dallas Center-Grimes in LHC action at 6:15 p.m.
