Indians Win Twice in Non-Conference Action

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–The Oskaloosa girls’ basketball program earned two more victories out of conference last week to reach a high-water mark in its recent history.

OHS (6-2, 1-2 LHC) opened the week by dropping Burlington 47-31 in non-conference play Tuesday. The Indians then fell 55-37 to Little Hawkeye Conference foe Norwalk Friday before defeating Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in non-league action 55-43 Saturday.

The squad’s six wins match the entire win total from last season and are the most for the program since the 2012-2013 campaign (18 victories).

OHS 47, Burlington 31

Oskaloosa never quite got going, but had enough in its proverbial tank to get past the Grayhounds, doing most of its damage on the offensive glass with a 17-1 edge in that category.

OHS narrowly outshot Burlington 30.6%-29.4%, but did hold a 7-2 edge in three-pointers. The Indians also struggled with ball control, committing 26 turnovers in the victory.

Addison Carter topped her squad with 16 points, headlined by connecting on five three-pointers. Presley Blommers also hit double figures with 11 points, while also corralling eight rebounds and assisting on five OHS baskets. Carter matched Blommers with the five assists.

The frontcourt duo of Aubree Blanco and Asia Thompson contributed as Thompson scored six points and Blanco guided the Indian rebounding efforts with 10. Gracee Flaherty managed six points as well.

Macie Krier topped the defense with four steals.

“We did not start off well, but finished strong,” Head Coach TC Cunningham said. “We had some younger players, including Hannah Nelson and Dasia Foster, step up due to foul trouble.”

Norwalk 55, OHS 37

The Indians were in control early with a 13-8 edge after the first quarter. Unfortunately, the Warriors figured things out and took the lead for good in the second period.

Down just six entering the final eight minutes, Oskaloosa could not keep pace. Norwalk pulled away down the stretch as the final score was not indicative of how close the game actually was. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Indians.

Overall, OHS was outshot 38.9%-30.0%. Both teams could not find their perimeter stroke as Norwalk was 3-for-17 and Oskaloosa was 2-for-14. The Indians also lost the free-throw battle (10-5) and the rebounding fight (37-33).

Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle that Oskaloosa could not overcome was its 27 turnovers (15 for the Warriors).

Thompson led the offense with 14 points, while Blommers met her in double figures with 12. Carter was good for an additional five. Blanco scored just two points, but notched 11 rebounds in the setback.

“We suffered another slow start and were hampered by turnovers,” Cunningham said. “When we turn the ball over 20-plus times, we do not give ourselves much of a chance to win. We played hard all night, but just turned the ball over too often.”

OHS 55, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 43

The Indians returned to the win column 24 hours later with a strong second-half performance. OHS was limited to just 14 points in the first half and trailed by three, but erupted for 41 post-intermission points, including 24 in the third period.

Blommers was extremely efficient, scoring 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting (3-for-4 3-PT). Behind her leadership, OHS held a 51.1%-38.1% shooting edge. The victors also won the perimeter battle with seven trifectas, compared to just two for E-B-F.

The junior distributed six assists along with four rebounds in the victory.

Thompson reached double figures as well with 12 points, while also posting a squad-high six rebounds.

Krier, with nine points, was an offensive force, as were Carter (6), Blanco (5), and Hannah Nelson (5).

The Indians completely reversed the ball control issues, committing only seven turnovers, while the Rockets made 20 mistakes in the matchup.

“After a slow start, our defense stepped up and our shots began to fall,” Cunningham said. “Our defense allowed us to get out in transition. Asia Thompson and Presley Blommers both played very well.”

Next Up: Oskaloosa is off until after the holiday break, returning to action on January 4 with a road trip to Pella for an LHC battle at 6:15 p.m.