Oskaloosa Wins Their First Little Hawkeye Conference Title
The 2017-18 Oskaloosa Indians are Little Hawkeye Conference Champions
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Indians defeated the Pella Dutch 65-56 on Tuesday night in Oskaloosa.
The win guaranteed them at least co-champion status in the Little Hawkeye Conference, something the team hasn’t done before in that conference. The last time the Indians were conference champions was back in 1996 when the Indians were part of the South Central Conference.
Norwalk has been the other powerhouse in the conference, each team handing the other a defeat.
Winning that first title in the Little Hawkeye Conference, “Is a really big thing for us,” said Oskaloosa Head Coach Ryan Parker.
In order to secure the win, the Indians had to fend off a Dutch team that played them tough from the get-go. Parker said that the second time around, teams are doing different things. “We need to adjust some of the things we do that they are taking advantage of. We’ll get better.”
The Indians seem to struggle at times, and Parker believes that winning many of the early games by the margin they did, “You think you can just walk into gyms at times and win. In the end, a win’s a win, no matter if you win by one or thirty.”
Parker said that the Dutch came at the Indians with a better game plan on Tuesday evening, and executed well, “taking advantage of some of the things we do.”
Parker said the team will get back to work and prepare for Indianola, their last opponent in conference play. “The guys have got to want it, and they do.”
“You learn from every situation from here on out,” explained Parker, as the Indians begin to eye the post season.
“We’re pleased with the conference title. It’s one of those things that doesn’t happen very often,” said Parker.
The Indians were tied with the Dutch after one-quarter of play, and lead by three going into the half, before stretching it out in the 4th quarter to take the 65-56 win.
The Indians were lead by senior Jared Kruse, who had 21 points and seven rebounds on the evening. Senior Spencer Tucker had 15 points and three rebounds and five assists.
Junior Cole Henry added 14 points, four rebounds, and six assists in the effort against the Dutch.
Junior Ryan Gustafson lead the Pella Dutch with 15 points and two rebounds. Junior Nick DeJong had eight rebounds and 14 points.
The Indians will travel to Indianola on Friday night to close out Little Hawkeye play and will return for their final regular season game against Chariton on Tuesday.
