Oskaloosa Falls to Dutch, Other Indians, but Holds off Chargers
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Indian girls’ basketball team was shut out in Little Hawkeye Conference play last week, but made the necessary corrections and ended the week by earning a non-league victory.
OHS (10-9, 3-9 LHC) opened the three-game stretch with a 49-37 loss to rival Pella last Tuesday, and then was on the losing end of a 58-34 decision against then-#4 Indianola last Friday. Fortunately, the week ended on a positive note with a 51-37 non-conference win over Chariton last Saturday.
A slow start doomed Oskaloosa versus Pella as the visiting Dutch went up 10-2 at the end of one quarter of action. Though they never really threatened the visitors, the Indians were outscored just 39-35 over the final 24 minutes.
In a matchup that witnessed OHS be outshot just 37.0%-31.0%, the hosts lost the rebounding battle 31-23 and also committed more than twice the turnovers as their opponents (21-10).
Enduring a tough evening from behind the arc (3-for-22), Oskaloosa was efficient at the free-throw line (8-for-11).
Asia Thompson produced 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while Presley Blommers hit the mark as well with 10 points. Addison Carter contributed seven points and seven rebounds, and Aubree Blanco tallied four points with a squad-high eight rebounds.
The league’s other Indians required the full four periods to officially put away Oskaloosa. Down 29-19 at intermission, OHS was slightly better than Indianola in the third stanza. Unfortunately, Indianola pulled away hard down the stretch with a 20-4 edge.
All of the pertinent categories came up in favor of OHS’ opponent, including Oskaloosa being outshot 38.6%-27.1%, outrebounded 38-28, and committing more turnovers 20-11.
Five different Indians scored at least five points, but Carter, with 13, was the only one to eclipse double digits. She was 5-for-9 from the floor (3-for-5 3-PT).
Thompson produced six points with eight rebounds, while the trio of Blommers, Blanco, and Lucy Roach all contributed five points. Roach stole three passes in the loss as well.
Less than 24 hours later, Oskaloosa got back on its home court and took care of business against the Chargers, shooting 38.9%, but more importantly holding Chariton to a paltry 24.0% clip.
OHS was far from perfect, though, overcoming an 11-2 deficit in free throws made and committing three more turnovers at 18-15.
Up 18-10 after the first quarter, the Indians slightly extended the advantage a few more points to 32-21 at halftime. Both sides were much quieter offensively following the break, but OHS did more than enough throughout to break its three-game losing streak.
Blanco topped the scoring chart with 16 points; she was perfect inside the arc at 6-for-6 and also tallied five assists and two blocks.
The other half of the team’s twin towers, Thompson joined Blanco in double figures with 10 points. Blommers managed nine points (four steals as well) and almost managed a double-double with nine rebounds. Roach was good for seven and Macie Krier added six more.
