Basketball Roundup – January 22, 2019

By Terry Futrell

Sunbright Tigers Upset Top-Ranked Oakdale 71-58

For several weeks, the Sunbright Tigers have been steadily improving, developing balance and taking advantage of their big man Wes Bohanan inside the paint. It seemed inevitable that the Tigers were going to surprise one of the higher ranked teams in the district. Unfortunately, for the Oakdale Eagles, they drew the short straw as Sunbright knocked Oakdale from first to third place in District 3-1A, soundly defeating the Eagles 71-58.

It wasn’t a pretty game, with 51 personal fouls called and 65 shots from the free throw line. Each team had two starters foul out of the game. The Tigers defeated Oakdale in every category of stats. The Tigers sank 18 2-point shots compared to Oakdale’s 17, and four 3-point shots compared to the Eagles three. Sunbright had an overwhelming advantage in free throws, sinking 23 compared to Oakdale’s 15.

The Tigers outscored Oakdale in three of the four quarters of the game. Sunbright jumped out to a 22-12 advantage after the first quarter, and led by 29-22 at the half. Sunbright expanded their lead to 42-31 after three, and outscored the Eagles 29-27 in the fourth on their way to the convincing 71-58 victory.

Josh Langley led Sunbright with 25 points and Wes Bohanan added 23 points. Oakdale was led by Garrett Best with 18 points and Dawson Smith with 17 points.

The Tigers have a 5-7 record in District 3-1A and remain in sixth place. With the loss, Oakdale drops from first place in the district to third place behind Harriman and Oneida.

Sunbright Lady Tigers Squeak by Oakdale 38-33

The Sunbright Lady Tigers built a 12-5 first quarter lead, but were outscored by Oakdale 28-26 over the last three quarters. The Lady Tigers squeaked by the Lady Eagles for a 38-33 victory.

While Sunbright had a 14-10 advantage in baskets scored, the Lady Tigers committed 21 fouls. As a result, Oakdale had a 13-7 scoring advantage in free throws.

Sunbright was led in scoring by Makenna Brown with 16 points. Olivia Northrup and Taylor Cox had seven points each. Oakdale’s Victoria Jones led the Lady Eagles with 14 points, including 8 of 12 free throw shooting. Delaney Hicks added nine points for Oakdale.

With the victory, Sunbright moves into sole possession of second place in District 3-1A with a 9-3 district record. The Lady Tigers trail undefeated Oneida, which has an 11-0 record. Oakdale falls to 4-8 in district play and remains in sixth place.

Scott County Hands Coalfield 78-48 Defeat with Strong Second Half

Coalfield stayed close to Scott County throughout the first half, trailing by only four points at the break. The Highlanders came back strong in the second half, outscoring the Jackets 30-12 in the third quarter to earn a 78-48 victory.

The game was tied 15-15 after the first quarter, but Scott built a 34-30 lead at the half. The Jackets could not find the basket in the second half and were outscored by Scott 44-18.

Coalfield’s Nathan Harvey led the Jackets with 15 points. Scott County had three players in double figures. Logan Goodman led the Highlanders with 16 points. Bryson Ross and Trey Morrow added 14 points each.

Because this was a non-district game, Coalfield continues to have a 1-10 district record and remains in eighth place in District 3-1A ahead of Oliver Springs.

Coalfield Lady Jackets Fall to Scott County in Overtime 60-58

The Coalfield Lady Jackets used a strong fourth quarter finish to tie Scott County 53-53 and send the game into overtime, only to fall short by two points as the Lady Highlanders gained the victory 60-58.

Scott built a 27-18 lead at halftime, but were outscored by the Lady Jackets 35-26 in the second half. While both teams scored 21 baskets in the game, Scott held a 7-2 advantage in 3-point baskets. A critical factor in the game was Coalfield’s 42% free throw shooting. The Lady Jackets connected on only 11 of 26 free throws.

Coalfield’s Brooklyn Seiber had a superlative night, leading the Lady Jackets with 24 points. Megan Tinker added ten points for Coalfield. Scott County was led by Grace Sexton with 15 points and Lindsey Summers with 11 points.

Coalfield continues to have a 2-9 district record after this non-district loss and remains in eighth place ahead of winless Rockwood.

Wartburg Bulldogs Cruise by Oliver Springs 78-47

After a shocking first quarter in which Oliver Springs took a 17-9 lead, the Wartburg Bulldogs came back and dominated the Bobcats for three quarters to take a 78-47 victory. The Bulldogs outscored Oliver Springs 69-30 over the last three quarters in the district matchup.

The Bulldogs held a 24-15 advantage in 2-point baskets and an 8-4 advantage in 3-point baskets.

Wartburg was led by Caleb Constant with 17 points. Elijah Langley and Jake Branstetter contributed 14 points each. Ten Bulldogs scored in the victory. Oliver Springs was led by Blake Nation with 15 points and Riley Walker with 12 points.

The Bulldogs remain in fourth place in District 3-1A with a 9-3 district record, trailing Harriman, Oneida, and Oakdale. Oliver Springs has sole possession of last place with a 1-11 district record.

Wartburg Lady Bulldogs Upset by Oliver Springs 51-47

The Wartburg Lady Bulldogs continued their slump, losing a heartbreaker to Oliver Springs 51-47. After starting the season 8-1, the Lady Bulldogs have now lost six of their last nine games.

The Lady Bulldogs led 11-9 at the end of one, only to see Oliver Springs fight back and take a 21-18 halftime lead. Wartburg fought back and tied the game 29-29 at the end of three, but were overpowered by the Lady Bobcats 22-18 in the fourth.

The Wartburg loss came in spite of the Lady Bulldogs holding an 8-1 advantage in 3-point shooting. Fouls were a deciding factor in the contest. Wartburg was called for 23 fouls compared to only 14 for Oliver Springs. The Lady Bobcats scored 18 free throws, compared to only nine for the Lady Bulldogs.

Wartburg was led by Callie Johnson with 13 points and Madison Holley with 10 points.  Cassidy Gilmore led Oliver Springs with 16 points. Laci Hester added 13 points and Courtney Chaston added 12 points.

With the loss, Wartburg falls to fourth place in District 3-1A with an 8-4 district record. The Lady Bobcats remain in fifth place with a 7-5 record.