The Oskaloosa Indians were in action last night in conference play against Dallas Center-Grimes, and it didn’t end well after a couple of very different games.
The girls’ game got the action started, and Oskaloosa was already shorthanded with multiple players out who are normal parts of the rotation.
Osky would commit 15 first quarter turnovers as DCG dominated play en route to a quick 26-4 lead. It was smooth sailing for the Fillies from there, as they would coast to a 67-23 lead. DCG is now 8-2 on the year and in the mix to win the Little Hawkeye Conference, and Oskaloosa is now 0-6.
There were still a couple of very intriguing storylines for Osky, as Alexis Westercamp led all players in the game with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Maybe the most interesting storyline moving forward involves two new call-ups to the varsity roster.
Lindsey Holmberg and Marleigh DenBerger made their varsity debuts last night and immediately contributed good minutes. Both are looking to continue their growth at the JV level this season, but Head Coach Steve Kaisand thinks both can grow and be good contributors for the Indians this year.
The boys’ game was next, and it was a defensive struggle between two teams who had very different makeups despite very similar statistics.
Both teams had a hard time getting anything going offensively in the first half, as turnovers plagued both teams due to very aggressive defense. The halftime score was 21-18 in favor of the Mustangs.
The two teams battled neck and neck in the third quarter, and started the fourth with the same three point margin, as DCG led 33-30.
Early in the 4th quarter, however, Oskaloosa had its first real lapse of the game, and over a two minute span, DCG increased their lead to a game-high ten points with just over five minutes remaining, and Oskaloosa wouldn’t be able to trim the deficit inside of three possessions. Following several free throws down the stretch DCG got the win, 51-38. Osky is now 3-4, and DCG is 6-3.
Jack Moore and Spencer Tucker paced Oskaloosa with 9 points each, while Wade Votroubek had his best game in a few weeks with an 8 point, 10 rebound showing.
Oskaloosa will be back in action on the hardwood this Friday night on the road for another Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader. They will face a couple of improved Newton teams on the road. You can hear the action starting on 99.5 FM and AM 740 KMZN, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com. It all begins with the Brown’s Shoe Fit Basketball Countdown, starting at 5:30 PM.
