JHBB - Eagles split with Bulldogs

The Oran Junior High School boys basketball teams split with the visiting Sikeston Bulldogs last
night.  The seventh grade won a thriller 43-42, while the eighth grade lost for the first time this season, 59-46.

In the opener, the Eagles led 12-10 after one and 24-19 at the half.

Oran's lead was back down to two heading into the final period 34-32.

The Eagles trailed 42-41 with about 14 seconds left.  Ty Johnson drove the length of the court to give Oran the lead.  Kayden Hargrove came up with a steal to seal the victory.

Johnson led all scorers with 19 including 1 from beyond the arc.  Drew Smith scored 9 and Hargrove added 8.  Kaleb Gosche chipped in 4 while Dane Shands tallied 3.

The Eagles were 12-20 from the line for 60% and they improved their record to 8-2.

Head coach Joe Shoemaker said, "The 7th grade did a good job of executing at the end of the game and playing through what could have been a game winning shot for Sikeston.  They are starting to do a better job of making adjustments during the game."

In the second game, Oran fell behind 16-9 after the first six minutes and trailed 29-17 at the intermission.  The margin expanded to 20 after three, 49-29.  The Eagles managed to chip seven points off the deficit in the final frame, outscoring Sikeston 17-10, falling 59-46.

Landon Stanberry led Oran in scoring with 18, all coming in the second half.  He had two from three-point land and was 8-9 from the free throw line  Todd Priggel had 14 with one trey.

Tyson Goodale added 6, Jakob Findley and Carson Moyers each added 3.  Moyers' points came from behind the arc. Gabe Fox hit one field goal for 2 points.

The team hit 10-17 from the charity stripe for 59%.  The Eagles are now 9-1.

"The 8th grade tasted defeat for the first time this year. They faced adversity and hopefully we have learned some lessons from this loss so we don't make the same mistakes in the future." said Coach Shoemaker.

The junior high boys will be back in action this evening when they host conference foe East Prairie at 6 pm.

Shoemaker added, "I told both teams the tough part is coming out mentally ready to play against East Prairie.  It is human nature to have a letdown after a big win or a tough loss and we will have to be prepared to focus and play Tuesday night."

Thank you Niki Cummins for providing photographs!