Indians Headed To State – First Time Since 1996

The Oskaloosa Indians defeated Carlisle to claim their place in the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Pleasant Hill, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Indians stepped into the Southeast Polk High School on Monday. They were looking to mark off one more goal they had set for themselves when the season started, and that was a trip to Wells Fargo Arena and the state basketball tournament.

The opening tip-off went to Carlisle. Their opportunity to score lead to a slow tempo game, that they hoped would cripple the high flying Indians.

The Indians went on a run, aided by two 3-point baskets by Rian Yates, to push Carlisle out of their game plan.

Junior Rian Yates said he was looking for open shots “and when they were there, I took them.”

Yates shows his enthusiasm on the floor, and afterward, called the opportunity to head for Wells Fargo as “unbelievable. I don’t even know what to say about this. This is indescribable.”

Senior Jared Kruse spoke about the opportunity to head to the state tournament. “I’m just so excited. I’m enjoying the moment.”

Junior Cole Henry was full of emotion as the buzzer sounded and the Indians made their plans for the state tournament. “We’re so happy. The emotions are flying. We don’t even know what to think. This is our goal, and we’re not done yet.”

Oskaloosa Head Coach Ryan Parker said he was excited for his team and their opportunity to take part in the state tournament. “I’m excited for our community. It’s been since ’96 that they made it to the state tournament. This means so much to a community, it means so much to our guys. All the hard work. All the dedication to finally break through. I’m excited for the last two years we made it to this level.”

The year before Parker took over the head coach position, the Indians were 1-21 on the season. The 2014-15 season, the Indians went 6-16 on the season. The Indians followed up the following season with an identical record.

In 2016-17 the Indians went 15-9 on the season, making it to the substate final, where they fell to Mount Pleasant, ending their season one game short of a state tournament trip.

“For two years, we’ve made it to this level. That’s an accomplishment in itself,” said Parker. “But then to break through is really something special.”

Parker gave credit to the freshman, now seniors, that joined him his first year. “All those guys worked their tails off for the last four years, and it paid dividends.”

Parker said he expected Carlisle’s game plan. “They did it versus Norwalk.”

“Some of it is, if you can get a lead, they can’t do that [slow tempo],” explained Parker. “When we missed shots early, they were able to do it.”

“I thought the biggest stretch was the last minute and a half in the second quarter. I think we were down five and went up seven,” said Parker of the Indians run just before halftime, where they scored 12 unanswered points.

The Indians went into halftime leading 23-16.

With the Indians leading coming out in the second half, Chariton could no longer set the pace of the game.

Parker credits the Indians success to the depth of the team. Foul troubles or an off night, “it’s the next man in. We don’t lose a step, and sometimes we get better.”

“I can’t say enough about this team. They’ve worked their tails off all year. Actually for the last four.”

“Teams like this don’t come around very often,” explained Parker. “So you really have to cherish the moment, but you also take advantage of the moment. You just can’t go in and be happy about making it. Let’s try to go win the thing. I’m not saying we will, but let’s try. Why not, we made it this far.”

Oskaloosa is the #3 seed and will be taking on #6 seed Sergeant Bluff-Luton on March 6th at 4:30 pm, at Wells Fargo Arena.

Rian Yates lead the Indians in scoring with 14 points off the bench. Cole Henry added 10 points, while Tucker Nunnikhoven and Tanner DeKock each added 9 points.

Cole Henry pulled in 9 rebounds for the Indians, with Xavier Foster and Jared Kruse each with six rebounds.

Tanner DeKock and Cole Henry each had four assists, with DeKock adding two steals.

Foster had three big blocked shots in the win.

Collin Lister had 16 points for Carlisle, while Tommy Donovan added 12. Max Goodhue lead Carlisle off the boards with eight total rebounds.