Osky Boys Can’t Find Answer Lose to Newton
Spencer Medlin led Oskaloosa with 11 points against Newton on Tuesday night.
by Matt Saville
How does the old saying go? Same song, second verse same as the first? That fits the season for the Oskaloosa boys basketball team. It has been frustrating and at times hard for the boys, but the one thing that is a fact is that these kids go out and fight every night. It just happens that Osky found themselves falling to Newton 72-49.
The Osky crowd had great energy which helped the boys come out and play some solid defense and do a better job of getting off to a strong start. Jordan Silvers hit a baseline jumper and Osky tied it up at 2-2. Spencer Medlin, who has had a strong presence inside in recent games, hit a basket on a well-drawn up out of bounds play and Osky found themselves trading baskets with Newton throughout the first stanza. Nick Watters came off the bench and drained a long 3 pointer followed by a Ryan Reiter basket as Osky closed the first quarter with an 11-7 lead.
The second quarter found Newton going to two of their guards Tyler Wood and Chandler Sturtz and they couldn’t miss as it began a 3 point barrage. Those, along with a Freshman who nailed two big 3’s and the fact that Osky was having a hard time finding the shooters as most of the looks Newton were getting were wide open and they were on fire. Wood, along with others, then started going inside on drives and Osky found their lead gone, just like that. Sophomore Wade Votroubek came in and hit a basket and free throw and Medlin chimed in with a basket as Osky was trying to hang in, but found the score going into halftime 32-22 Newton.
In the third quarter Votroubek hit a lay in on a great feed by Medlin, and then Medlin found success back on the inside as the score was still in range for Osky as they trailed 38-26. Freshman Jack Moore came in and hit a 3 pointer, while Votroubek hit another short basket on an assist from Max Johnson. It was another quarter of struggles for Osky on the defensive side, as they were getting beaten by not getting back and getting hands up on shots. The quarter ended 54-38.
Osky came out in the 4th quarter and Junior Nate Van Veldhuizen brought real good energy as he made one of two free throws then had a lay in. Ki-Jana DeJong hit several free throws, but it was Newton’s night as they won, going away 72-49.
Osky Coach Zach Tremmel said that there were just no easy looks on the inside for Osky, as Newton’s game plan involved shutting down Osky’s top scorer Ryan Reiter. That and the sagging back on Osky’s post players caused the Indians problems. Tremmel said that they will go back and practice hard and try to get the seniors a win Friday night on their final home game.
Osky was led by Medlin with 11 pts. and 5 rebs. , Votroubek 7 pts. and 4 rebs., Reiter with 6 pts., and 5 pts. apiece for Moore and Van Veldhuizen. Osky is back in action Friday night, at home against Norwalk.
