Basketball Roundup – January 18, 2019
Second Half Comeback Lifts Midway over Coalfield 76-65
After building a 33-28 halftime lead over the Midway Green Wave, the Coalfield Yellow Jackets could not sustain their momentum for four quarters and fell to the boys from South of the River 76-65. The Jackets outscored Midway from the field 54-52, but Midway used a 24-11 advantage in free throws to gain the victory.
Coalfield was led in scoring by Keigan White with 21 points, Ashton Jones with 11 points, and Peyton Hutcherson with 10 points. The Jackets tallied six 3-point baskets in the game. Midway was led by Blaine Townsend with 16 points, Jason Taylor with 15 points, Brendan Burnham with 14 points, and Andrew Burton with 10 points.
Coalfield’s district record is now 1-10 and the Jackets are in last place in District 3-1A. Midway is 3-8 in district play and is in seventh place.
Wartburg Lady Bulldogs Roll Over Oakdale 63-21
The Wartburg Central Lady Bulldogs buried ten 3-point shots in their march to victory over the Oakdale Lady Eagles. The Lady Bulldogs were slow-starting, but took a 13-5 first quarter lead and then poured it on to win 63-21. Wartburg built a 33-14 halftime lead and then outscored Oakdale 30-7 in the second half.
Wartburg was led by Madison Williams and Callie Johnson with 13 points each. Williams buried three treys and Johnson added two. Eleven Lady Bulldogs scored in the contest. Oakdale was led by Victoria Jones with seven points and Ivy Tilson with six points.
The victory gives Wartburg an 8-3 district record. The Lady Bulldogs are in third place in District 3-1A behind undefeated Oneida and Midway.
Oakdale Eagles Finish Strong to Down Wartburg 86-71
The Oakdale Eagles vaulted to first place in District 3-1A with a convincing 86-71 victory over the Wartburg Central Bulldogs. In a classic battle that included 19 lead changes, the Eagles saved their best until the fourth quarter when they came from six down to outpace the Bulldogs 30-9.
The Bulldogs led 62-56 after three periods and seemed to have the momentum to carry them to victory. The Eagles came back from the break with a stifling full court defense that caught Wartburg unaware. Oakdale stole the ball on Wartburg’s first three inbounds plays and scored six points in 28 seconds to tie the game before Wartburg could successfully get the ball down the court. The Eagles played like a well-oiled machine during the fourth quarter – it was perhaps their best team play of the entire season.
Oakdale had three players score more than 20 points. Garrett Best led all scorers with 27 points, including five 3-point baskets. Dawson Smith added 22 points, and Rhett Nelson contributed 20 points. Wartburg was led by Jake Branstetter with 20 points, Caleb Constant with 19 points, Colby Justes with 11 points, and Elijah Langley with 10 points.
Oakdale now stands alone at the top of District 3-1A with a 9-2 district record. Wartburg falls to fourth place in the district with an 8-3 record.
Sunbright Lady Tigers Cruise Past Harriman 41-14
The Sunbright Lady Tigers ran up 15 unanswered points in the first quarter and cruised to a 41-14 victory over the Harriman Lady Devils. Virtually shutting out the Lady Devils, Sunbright took a 25-2 lead at the half. Harriman played close the second half, limiting Sunbright’s scoring advantage to 16-12, but could never recover from the first half Tiger onslaught.
Alexis Northrup led Sunbright in scoring with 14 points. Northrup buried four 3-point baskets in the victory. Makenna Brown added 12 points for the Lady Tigers. Harriman’s leading scorer was Lily Taylor with four points.
Sunbright is now 8-3 in district play and in fourth place. Harriman’s district record is 2-8 and the Lady Devils are in eighth place in District 3-1A.
Harriman Pulls Away for Convincing Victory Over Sunbright 75-55
Leading by only one point after the first quarter, the Harriman Blue Devils pulled away for a convincing 75-55 victory over the Sunbright Tigers. Harriman’s defense limited the Tigers to only three points in the second quarter as the Blue Devils pulled away for a 32-21 halftime lead. The Blue Devils then outscored Sunbright 43-34 in the second half to secure the victory.
Sunbright was led by Hunter Bunch, John Freels, and Wes Bohanan, who had 11 points each in the contest. Harriman’s Jaylen McCullum had a stellar performance with 30 points, including ten baskets from the field and nine free throws.
Sunbright is now 4-7 in district play and holds sixth place in District 3-1A. Harriman has an 8-2 record and is in second place behind Oakdale.