Roller Coaster Week for Indian Boys’ Basketball Team
Sophomore Jack Moore finished off a fast break in the first quarter with a two-handed dunk that set the Indian crowd on fire. (photo by Denis Currier/Oskaloosa News)
by Matt Saville
With the way the season has gone for the Oskaloosa Indian boys basketball team, this week looked promising as they headed to Knoxville to take on the Panthers. The Panthers had handed the Indians an early season loss. Coach Ryan Parker received a much better performance this time around, with the Indians doing a much better job of taking care of the basketball and nearly pulling off the upset. A rough 4 minute stretch late in the second half spoiled victory for the Indians in a 58-48 loss.
Oskaloosa came out and found quick success off a 12 foot jumper from senior Ryan Reiter. Junior Wade Votroubek drained back-to-back buckets from the inside and the Indians jumped out to a 6-3 lead.
Knoxville quickly knotted the score at 6-6 with a long three pointer. Freshman Tanner DeKock nailed a 15 foot jumper to put the Indians back up. Foul trouble stuck the Indians early, putting Votroubek and senior Max Johnson on the bench early. When the quarter closed, the Indians were down 14-10.
Both team’s crowds had the gym buzzing. Oskaloosa Senior Ryan Reiter made a nice move for a layup, then drained a huge three from deep for a quick 5 points. The Indians were now down just one at 16-15.
Enter another Osky freshman, Jared Kruse. Kruse got in some valuable minutes with Osky being in foul trouble. Kruse hit 1 of 2 free throws and the score was tied. Knoxville went on a run as Osky went cold from the field. Reiter tried to halt the Panther run with a turnaround jumper. Oskaloosa went into the locker room trailing 31-24.
The third quarter woke up Oskaloosa’s leading scorer, sophomore Jack Moore. Moore took charge for the Indians, scoring two layups to go along with a jumper from the top of the key. Senior Max Johnson scored a valuable layup, putting Osky right back in it 33-32 in favor of Knoxville.
Knoxville continued with a quick bucket as they took over the boards. Reiter drained another 3 to tie it at 37-37, while on his way to a huge game. Votroubek and Johnson found the bench again after picking up their 4th fouls. Knoxville closed out the quarter with another run of inside and timely 3’s, taking a 45-42 lead going into the 4th quarter.
Knoxville started off by hitting another 3, but that was answered by Moore, as the Panthers were up 48-44. Osky and Knoxville traded 3’s and the Panthers kept hitting the boards and got a put back, eventually going on to a 58-48 victory. Leading the way for the Indians was Reiter with 24 pts. and Moore with 10 pts.
Osky took their show on the road again on Friday night, as they traveled down the road to face the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rockets in non-conference action. The Indians were looking to rebound from the tough loss to Knoxville Tuesday, and the Indians came out on fire.
Sophomore Jack Moore got the Indians off on the right foot as he drilled a shot from the elbow. The Indians have faced foul trouble, and junior Wade Votroubek picked up two quick fouls.
Senior Ki-Jana DeJong and Ryan Reiter hit baskets, sandwiched around a long 3 from Moore, putting Oskaloosa up 12-8 over the Rockets. Reiter was a rebounding machine as he was wiping the glass clean. Senior Tanner Lanphier drained a long 3 and the Indians led 15-11. Enter Mr.Moore. The sophomore stole the Rocket pass and streaked down the lane with the Rocket defender. Moore seemed to go to the 12th floor, depositing the Rocket defender off at the 8th, and finishing off the drive as he rammed the ball home for a two handed dunk. That brought Osky to a 19-12 lead as the quarter ended.
Oskaloosa came out as both teams exchanged baskets. Oskaloosa received great production from two freshmen, Tanner DeKock and Jared Kruse. Eddyville fought and clawed to get back into the game, but Reiter had a basket to keep pace. The Indians went into the locker room down one at 28-27.
Coming out after halftime, DeKock hit a little 6 foot jumper and Reiter had a put back for a 31-28 lead. The game was like watching a seesaw as it went back and forth, with both teams fighting on every possession. Moore had another beautiful move for a layup and Reiter drained another three to tie it at 43-43 going into the fourth quarter.
The fight continued as it had the entire game. DeKock hit from the baseline only to have the Rockets answer. Senior Max Johnson answered a three pointer by the Rockets with one of his own, tying up the score 48-48. The game continued to be a slug-out as DeJong had a huge rebound and put back followed by DeKock driving hard and going to the line. Osky was slowly spreading the lead as another DeJong bucket and DeKock jumper from the elbow helped hold off the Rocket charge. Moore hit a clutch jumper from the elbow and huge free throws late by DeKock and Reiter cemented a hard fought 68-61 win.
Leading the way for the Indians was DeKock with 16pts. and Moore with 13pts.
With the quick turnaround, Osky was hoping to build off of their win over the Rockets as they hosted the Mount Pleasant Panthers Saturday afternoon. The Panthers played the role of rude visitors as they handed the Indians a 57-44 non-conference loss.
Leading the way for the Indians was Moore with 21 pts.
Oskaloosa is now 5-8 on the season and is action at home this Tuesday in Little Hawkeye Conference action.
