By Sam Parsons
The Oskaloosa Indian boys basketball team was in action for the final time in the calendar year 2022 last night in a proximity war against the Ottumwa Bulldogs and they made the most of their time on the floor.
The Indians were firmly in control of the game in the first half. They jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter and the score was 38-20 at halftime. The Indians were filling it up from beyond the arc: junior guard Aidan Scholes and freshman point Max Roach combined for 7 triples in the first half and the Indians were enjoying more success on the boards than they have all season. Junior post player Gus Bunnell notched double digit rebounds on the night for the first time this season and despite the Indians being outsized by players like Allen Cook (6’7″), they were anticipating bounces well and winning the battle of the boards.
The time for celebrating had not yet arrived, however; the Indians, proven to be susceptible to cold quarters, came out flat to start the second half as the Bulldogs began the third quarter on an 18-3 run to make it 41-38. Cook and sophomore Trae Brown controlled the boards in the quarter as the Bulldogs found new life. The life would be ultimately be short-lived, however; a well-timed triple from Max Roach got the Indians the boost they needed entering the fourth quarter as the lead was at 46-41.
In the fourth, the Indians regained control of the game and their 2-3 zone defense finished strong. The Bulldogs were only able to muster 4 points in the quarter as the Indians put up 16, and they walked away with their first win of the season, 62-45.
The Indians (1-6) won’t play again until after winter break, when they will host the Pella Dutch on January 3.
Unofficial Stats – Oskaloosa
Aidan Scholes: 23 points, 4 rebounds
Max Roach: 21 points, 2 rebounds
Waylon Bolibaugh: 9 points, 6 rebounds
Gus Bunnell: 3 points, 10 rebounds
Carter Blanco: 3 points, 3 rebounds
Jakob Stek: 3 points
Brody Allman: 2 points
Unofficial Stats – Ottumwa
Allen Cook: 15 points, 5 rebounds
Rahsha Pope: 12 points, 2 rebounds
Trae Brown: 10 points, 7 rebounds
Kalib Campbell: 3 points
Carter Thompson: 2 points, 1 rebound
Luke Graeve: 2 points, 1 rebound
Bryant Wilson: 1 point
