Basketball Roundup – February 1, 2019
By Terry Futrell
Lady Tigers Shock Oneida in Overtime 44-37
Perhaps nothing is more daunting than going to Oneida to play basketball near the end of the season, especially when the Lady Indians are undefeated in district play and have a 17-game win streak. But, someone apparently forgot to tell the Sunbright Lady Tigers of the significant challenge before them. The young ladies from the town originally called Pine Top are sitting on top of the world after shocking the Lady Indians in overtime Friday evening 44-37, holding Oneida to its lowest offensive output of the season against Class 1A teams.
The Lady Tigers fell behind 11-3 in the first quarter and were down 18-11 at the half. Then came one of the greatest comebacks and most satisfying victories in program history. Makenna Brown stepped up in the third quarter with seven points to lead the Lady Tigers’ charge. Hannah Shannon drained a trey, and Olivia Northrup and Taylor Cox each contributed two points as the Lady Tigers cut the Oneida lead to three.
The Lady Tigers’ tenacious defense held Oneida to one basket in the fourth quarter while Hannah Shannon buried two more threes and Olivia Northrup also put up a three to tie the game 34-34 at the end of regulation.
It was all Lady Tigers in overtime as Olivia Northrup buried another 3-point shot and Sunbright hit seven of eight free throws, while holding Oneida to one basket and one free throw.
Makenna Brown led Sunbright with 15 points, Olivia Northrup was close behind with 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Hannah Shannon contributed 10 points for the Lady Tigers, including three treys. Oneida was led by Katelyn Stiltner with nine points as no Lady Indian scored in double figures.
A victory would have clinched the regular season championship for Oneida, but the 13-1 Lady Indians now must defeat either Rockwood or Wartburg in the final week of the regular season to clinch first place. Sunbright remains solidly in second place ahead of Wartburg and Midway with an 11-3 district record, but must defeat Wartburg on Tuesday and Coalfield on Friday to hold their position.
Oneida Downs Sunbright 71-54
The Oneida Indians chalked up their second victory of the week against Morgan County teams, cruising past the Sunbright Tigers 71-54. The Indians took a 15-9 first-quarter lead and outscored the Tigers every period. Oneida led 34-25 at the half and 53-41 at the end of three.
Sunbright had balanced scoring in the loss with four players scoring in double figures. Josh Langley, Hunter Bunch, and Wes Bohanan each scored eleven points and John Freels added 10 points for the Tigers. Oneida’s Dalton Yancy led all scorers with 19 points, while Chance Botts and Kolby Morgan each contributed 17 points.
Oneida remains in second place in District 3-1A with an 11-3 record behind 12-2 Harriman. The Sunbright Tigers remain in sixth place with a 5-9 district record. Sunbright faces Wartburg and Coalfield in the last week of the regular season.
Coalfield Lady Jackets Swamp Rockwood 45-18
The Coalfield Lady Jackets used an aggressive defense to overpower the Rockwood Lady Tigers 45-18. Coalfield had trouble finding the basket in the first quarter, which ended in a 5-5 tie. As the Lady Jackets settled into a rhythm, they took a commanding 19-9 lead at the half. The Lady Jackets’ defense held Rockwood to one basket in the third quarter as Coalfield built its lead to 33-11.
A major factor in the Lady Jackets’ success was the play of Megan Tinker and Taylor Landrum inside as they aggressively attacked the basket. Tinker and Landrum led Coalfield scoring with seven points each. The entire Lady Jackets team played with hustle, aggressively pursuing the Lady Tigers on defense and fighting for rebounds. Rockwood was led by Karlee Bowling with nine points.
The Lady Jackets are now 4-10 in district play and positioned in sixth place. Rockwood remains winless with an 0-14 district record.
Rockwood Squeaks by Coalfield 53-51
In one of the most exciting District 3-1A games of the season, the fourth-place Rockwood Tigers barely squeaked by the last-place Coalfield Yellow Jackets 53-51 Friday evening. The Tigers took a 12-9 first-quarter lead and built their lead to 27-20 at the half. The Jackets kept fighting back and tied the score at 44-44 with 5:02 left in the fourth quarter. The Tigers led by five with 22 seconds to go in the game, but the Jackets tenaciously fought back to tie the game 51-51 with six seconds to go. Rockwood sealed the victory with two free throws with 3.2 seconds to go.
Coalfield was led by Jeffrey Speer with 16 points, including two 3-pointers. Ashton Jones added 14 points for the Jackets. Rockwood had four players in double figures. Brett Sands and Tahj Bazel had 11 points each, while Nate Brackett and Micaiah Storey contributed 10 points each.
With the victory, 9-5 Rockwood remains tied with Wartburg for fourth place in District 3-1A. The Yellow Jackets are now 1-13 in district play and remain in last place.
Oliver Springs Lady Bobcats Romp Over Oakdale 51-41
The Oliver Springs Lady Bobcats took a 16-7 lead in the first quarter from which the Oakdale Lady Eagles could never recover, leading to a 51-41 victory for Oliver Springs. While Oakdale outscored the Lady Bobcats in the second and third quarters, a 9-4 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for Oliver Springs.
Oakdale was led by Victoria Jones with 17 points. Laci Hester led Oliver Springs with 16 points and Cassidy Gilmore added 13 points for the Lady Bobcats.
The victory gives Oliver Springs a 9-6 District 3-1A record and the Lady Bobcats remain in fifth place. Oakdale falls to 4-11 in district play and is in seventh place one-half game behind Coalfield.
Oakdale Eagles Cruise to 80-62 Victory Over Oliver Springs
The Oakdale Eagles came out strong, taking a 20-8 lead over Oliver Springs in the first quarter and cruised to an 80-62 victory over the Bobcats. Oakdale built a 42-28 halftime lead. The Eagles maintained their 14-point lead through the third quarter, then expanded their lead to 18 points to end the game.
Garrett Best scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Eagles, and Dawson Smith added 18 points. Riley Walker led the Bobcats with 21 points and Blake Nation added 19 points.
Oakdale now has an 11-4 district record and remains in third place, one-half game behind Oneida. The Bobcats are 2-13 in district play and in eighth place ahead of Coalfield.
Lady Bulldogs Use Free Throw Shooting to Defeat Scott County 68-51
With other stats virtually equal for the two teams, the Wartburg Lady Bulldogs took advantage of 22 of 27 free throw shooting to defeat the Class 2A Scott County Lady Highlanders in non-district play. Wartburg built a 16-13 lead in the first quarter, but the Lady Highlanders fought back and took a 29-27 lead at the half. Wartburg dominated the Lady Highlanders in the third quarter, taking a 48-38 lead. The Lady Bulldogs kept up their attack in the fourth quarter, outscoring Scott County 20-13.
Free throws were a major factor in the game. Scott County was charged with 21 personal fouls compared to 15 for Wartburg. The Lady Bulldogs shot 27 free throws, while the Lady Highlanders shot only 11 free throws. Wartburg was successful on 81% of their free throws, while Scott County completed only 27%. Four Lady Bulldogs were perfect from the free throw line, shooting 12 of 12.
Freshman Elizabeth Keathley led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 17 points. Callie Johnson and Regan Redmon added ten points each. Julia Butts led Scott County with 16 points. Lou Chaney added 14 points and Grace Sexton contributed 11 points.
With Scott County being a non-district game, the Lady Bulldogs remain 10-4 in district play and are in fourth place behind Oneida, Sunbright, and Midway.
Wartburg Bulldogs Lose to Scott County 85-57
The Wartburg Bulldogs took on the Class 2A Scott County Highlanders in non-district competition, losing 85-67. The Highlanders took a 13-9 first-quarter advantage and pulled away in the second quarter for a 41-22 lead. Wartburg outscored the Highlanders 25-18 in the third period, but Scott County once again pulled away in the fourth with a 26-10 scoring advantage.
The Bulldogs shot ten 3-point baskets in the loss, with Tucker Carroll and Jake Branstetter hitting three each. Branstetter led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points and Carroll added 11 points. Scott County had four players in double figures. Trey Morrow led all scorers with 20 points., while Logan Goodman added 17 points for the Highlanders. Bryson Ross scored 13 points and Kadon Babb added 12 points for Scott County.
Wartburg continues to have a 9-5 district record and remains tied with Rockwood for fourth place in District 3-1A. The Bulldogs face Sunbright on the road Tuesday and Oneida at home on Friday in the last game of the regular season.