Oskaloosa 7th Grade Square Up To Norwalk
by Wade Schelker
The Oskaloosa 7th grade boys basketball team took on the Indians of Norwalk in a 3 game set Monday evening. In the A game the Indians were without a starter but seemed to not be bothered as Oskaloosa battled to a 0-8 first quarter. The Indians could only muster 4 points but gave up only 17 points to keep the game within reach. Oskaloosa came out slow in the third quarter and gave up as many points in the quarter as they did the whole first half. The Indians battled all game long but could not get any offense going and went down 48-13. Leaders for the A-game included Cael Ashman and Tyler Edgar with 4 points apiece 1 and 3 rebounds respectively. Tommy North had 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Jeremiah Reeves added 2 points and 3 rebounds while Kaden Toubekis cleared 4 boards.
In the B game, the Indians did something they had not done all year and that was start the scoring by jumping ahead 2-0 on a Will Steen jumper that found the sweet spot. The game remained tied at the end of the first quarter. The Indians fell behind 12-4 and looked like they might be out of it but a basket by Kaden Truitt( 2 points) pulled the Indians to 18-9 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Indians kept chipping away but fell 28-13, Other leaders for the Indians were Dawson Bortje with 5 points (including a 3 pointer) in the 3rd quarter and Will Steen with 4 points 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Cale Van Wyk rounded out the scoring with 2 points a steal and an assist.
In the C game the Indians had another 1st as the Indians grabbed a first-quarter lead and kept it the entire quarter 5-4. In the second quarter, it was a lack of movement and a turnover bug that bit the Indians and left them unable to function as they trailed 10-5 at the end of the half. The Indians had their best battle of the season in the 3rd and 4th quarter as they went back and forth with Landon Deney and Dominic Sams providing some much needed firepower scoring 9 points and pulling with 6 before Norwalk pulled away for a 24-14 win. “We were so proud of how our boys kept fighting, even through all the turnovers! This group never gives up and has made some great progress. We are looking forward to getting our first win! The boys will be in action tommorrow night at home with a 2 game set with Pella Christian at 4:30 p.m.
