Back-to-back champs!

The top-seeded Oran High School boys varsity basketball team claimed its second straight Oran Invitational Tournament championship last night with a 62-43 win over the second-seeded Scott County Central Braves.  It was a feat not accomplished by the hometown squad since 1965 and 1966.

In Thursday's victory over Kelly, it was a matter of the offense feeding the hot-hand.  Last night it was a matter of finding a hot-hand.

The Eagles held an 18-10 first-quarter lead and expanded it to 33-21 at the break.  Tyson Goodale had 10 of his 16 points during the first half.  He would end up being one of three to reach double-digits.  Oran did not shoot well from the perimeter early but still managed a 12 point lead.

Out of the intermission, the Eagles missed their first four shots and the Braves cut the margin to four at 33-29.  That's when Oran got the hot hand they needed.  Jacob Shoemaker hit back to back treys and the Eagles were up 47-33 after three periods.

Oran got a scare a couple of minutes into the fourth when Shoemaker took a blow to the face that drew blood and had to leave the game to have it attended to.  The Eagles were up 11 at the time and after a minute or two of action and Oran caught a break when officials saw blood on the floor.  Play was delayed at the 5:54 mark and the Eagles were up 51-40  After a few more seconds of action, Shoemaker ran back to the bench to the roar of the crowd with Oran still up 11.  The Eagles outscored the Braves 11-3 the rest of the way.

Shoemaker led all scorers with 19.   He hit three from beyond the arc and was 2-2 from the line.  Goodale had his 16 and Ty Johnson added 14.

Todd Priggel finished with seven, Langdon Scheeter had four and Cooper Priggel two.

Coach Joe Shoemaker said, "I challenged the team to play better defense, smarter on offense and rebound better. I thought they did a good job in all three areas. We didn’t shoot it extremely well and you're going to have those nights and you have to count on your defense and rebounding to be consistent. Minus a few spurts, we were able to be able to do that.

The team hit 7 of 10 at the charity stripe for 70% and improved to 3-0 on the young season.

Shoemaker, Todd Priggel and Goodale were named to the All-tournament team.

On Monday Oran will travel to Risco.  Game time is scheduled for 6 pm.  The junior varsity will play only two quarters.  The last couple of times we've been down there, they have had some kind of elementary pageant before the jv game which delays the start.

Only two coaches have won back to back O.I.T. crowns and only two coaches have taken the boys to the final four:  the legendary Gene Bess and Joe Shoemaker.  Only one has won a state title and that was Shoemaker.