Rough Week For Oskaloosa Girls
Oskaloosa Senior Taylor Richardson drives against E-B-F on Friday night. (photo by Denis Currier/Oskaloosa News)
by Matt Saville
Rough Week See’s Osky Girls Go 0-3.
The Oskaloosa girl’s basketball team started out a busy week by traveling to Knoxville on Tuesday night to take on the Panthers. The season has been frustrating for the lady Indians, as they have had several games where they have hung in the game til halftime or the end of the third quarter. Tuesday night was no different, the Indians held their own for the first half.
With a packed Knoxville gym and a rowdy crowd, the Indians matched the Panthers baskets through the first quarter. Sophomore Alexis Westercamp went baseline, pulled up, and hit a 6 foot jumper to put the Indians on the board.
The one weakness for Oskaloosa this season has been the interior defense. Knoxville exploited that weakness right off the bat, continually going inside.
Oskaloosa answered back with timely 3’s from seniors Asia Laudermilch and Taylor Richardson, ending the first quarter tied at 12-12.
As the second quarter started it was a game of runs for the Panthers, as they went on a quick 4-0 run. Westercamp imposed her will and nailed a turnaround jumper, then followed up by going strong to the hoop for a layup. Knoxville pushed the ball, working perfectly from the inside out and drained a 3. Oskaloosa’s Asia Laudermilch answered, as she hit a baseline jumper and then followed up a miss and hit the layup. The Indians found themselves only trailing 23-20 at the half.
Knoxville came out and followed their game plan on the Indians, stretching out to as many as 10 points ahead. Richardson tried to keep the Indians within striking distance as she drained a long 3. The Indians had work to do going into the fourth trailing 36-26. Oskaloosa just couldn’t find the bottom of the basket as Knoxville continued to get the ball down low and went on to win 48-35.
Leading the way for the Indians were Richardson with 12 pts. and 3 rebs., Westercamp added 9 pts. and 14 rebs., with Laudermilch also adding 9 pts.
Friday night took the Indians to Eddyville to take on the Rockets. It was standing room only in this local rivalry game.
Oskaloosa’s goal for the night was to find a way to overcome the height advantage by the Rockets. E-B-F went to the inside right away, continuing that same game plan the entire night. Senior Taylor Richardson was once again the fire power for the Indians, as she was knocking down 3’s and using her state champion speed to get to the hoop. Oskaloosa still found themselves down big at the half 22-8.
Richardson continued her strong play, also getting help from junior Paige Howard and sophomore Alexis Westercamp. Those efforts were a little too late as Oskaloosa never got closer than 10 points, falling to the Rockets 58-39.
Osky was led by Richardson with 24 pts., 3 rebs., 3 asst. and 5 steals. Westercamp got 8 pts. and 14 rebs., while Howard got 7 pts., 7 rebs. and 5 steals.
Saturday wrapped up the busy week for the Lady Indians, as they played host to the Mount Pleasant Panthers in an afternoon contest.
Once again the Indians played a great first half, staying close and only trailing 24-17 at the half. Oskaloosa fought hard and seemed to make some decent adjustments to combat the height of the Panthers.
All the momentum the Indians may have felt quickly disappeared in the second half as the Panthers locked down their defense, causing some turnovers. The Indians had a scoreless 4th quarter and the Panthers took the 55-29 victory.
Osky was led by Richardson with 10 pts., 3 rebs., 3 asst., and 3 steals, Westercamp and Howard with 6 pts. apiece and Laudermilch with 5 pts. and 7 rebs.
Oskaloosa is now 2-12 on the season. They look to get back at it on Tuesday in a home game against Little Hawkeye Conference foe Pella Christian.
