By Sam Parsons
The Oskaloosa Indians’ girls and boys basketball teams made the trip to Indianola on Friday and were swept for the first time this season.
The girls game was a competitive matchup from start to finish, despite Indianola entering as the #10 team in the state in the latest rankings. The first half saw the two teams go blow-for-blow with Indianola finishing the half on top 26-21. Junior forward Kendall McDaniel was the centerpiece of Indianola’s gameplan, and at 6’1, she was the first player Osky has faced this season that offered a legitimate competitor to sophomore Dasia Foster’s size in the paint. Both McDaniel and Foster were able to put up their fair share of points in the game.
In the second half, Indy had success at keeping Osky at arms’ length as they wouldn’t let Osky tie the game again, but Osky kept it a contest the whole way. Ultimately, some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win for Indianola, 47-40.
The boys’ half of the doubleheader was, unfortunately, less interesting, as Indianola held control throughout the game. Indianola’s experience came to the forefront; all 5 members of Indianola’s starting lineup, as well as their top 3 bench players, were seniors, and they utilized their chemistry on both ends of the floor to give Oskaloosa fits. Quick ball movement on the offensive end was paired with fast-paced and aggressive defense which prevented Osky from finding many open looks. The only Osky player who was able to establish any sort of rhythm was senior Jakob Stek, who tallied 15 points and made 4 3-pointers.
The Osky girls (2-2) will host Burlington on Tuesday. The boys (0-3) travel to Washington on the same day.
