Seventh grade posts victory over Hornets, 8th graders fall

Last night the Oran Junior High boys basketball teams won one and lost one at home against the Advance Hornets.  The Eagles picked up a win in game one, 63-34, but lost game two, 52-47.

In the opener, Oran jumped out to a 19-8 first quarter lead and cruised to the 29 point final margin.

The Eagles had three players reach double digits in their most prolific scoring exhibition to date.  Samuel Shoemaker led all scorers with 21.  He was followed by Kolton Payne's 14, that included a 4-4 performance from the line.  Robby Menz had 10 points, including 2 treys.

Seth Cauble finished with 9.  He was 3-4 from the charity stripe.  Nick Romas had 7 and Landon Cochran added 2.

Landon Avery, Ryan Burke, Parker Diebold, Connor Gage, Nic Massey and Camdyn Triblett got playing time.

As a team, the seventh grade hit 9 of 14 from the free throw line for 64 %.

Head Coach Joe Shoemaker said, "The 7th grade played very well.  They did a very good job of sharing the basketball on offense and rebounded very well on the defensive end."

They are now 5-2 on the year.

In the eighth grade game, Oran saw a 5 point first quarter advantage evaporate into a 6 point half-time deficit. That margin would increase to 10 points after three. The Eagles were able to outscore the Hornets 19-14 in the final 6 minutes, but it was too little, too late and Advance held on for the 5 point win.

Ty Johnson once again led the offense, as he scored 26.  Dane Shands chipped in 9, including a trey.  Kaleb Gosche had 8. Waylon Shaffer scored 3 and Drew Smith had a single tally.

Gage Phillips, Keaton Stepp, Cauble and Shoemaker played but did not score.

Foul trouble plagued Oran all night long as 3 of the 5 starters ended up with 4 fouls, Gosche, Shaffer and Shands.  Johnson finished with 3 fouls.

Free throw shooting did not help either, as the Eagles missed 7 free throw attempts in the 5 point loss, going 8 for 15 for for 53%.

Coach Shoemaker commented, "The 8th grade made some bad turnovers early and then they had to play from behind the rest of the way.  They played hard until the end but just couldn’t pull out the victory."

They too are now 5-2 on the season.

Oran will be back in action this evening when the host the Scott City Rams at 6 pm.