Boys split in conference semi-finals

The Oran Junior High School boys basketball teams split their games during the Scott-Mississippi conference tournament last night at home.

The seventh-grade advanced to the championship game with a 50-36 win over Scott City, but the eighth-grade fell to East Prairie 36-18.

The younger team trailed 14-8 after the first period but rebounded to take a 30-17 lead into the halftime locker room.

Coach Joe Shoemaker said, "The 7th grade played Scott City for the third time which had me worried.  We didn't come out focused and ready to play but we were able to pick up the intensity in the second quarter.  Scott City did a good job of double-teaming Camdyn inside and he did a good job of passing out to some open shooters.  Scott City made another run in the third quarter and once again we were able to answer it and did a good job of managing the clock in the fourth quarter and hitting free throws."

 Colten Payne led all scorers with 26 points.  He hit six treys and was 6-9 from the line.  Robbie Menz finished with 16 points.  He hit two treys.

Camden Triblett and Nic Massey added four apiece.

The Eagles hit 12 of 20 (60%) free throws, including 8 of 12 in the fourth quarter as they improved to 11-2 and will play East Prairie in the championship game this evening at 6 pm.

The eighth-grade team saw its season end with the 18 point loss to East Prairie.

Oran led 9-6 after one but trailed 16-11 at the break.

Coach Shoemaker said, "I thought the 8th grade played good enough defense to win but didn't do enough on the offensive end. We held them to 11 field goals but fouled and allowed them to shoot 22 free throws making 13. We weren't able to get into a flow on offense which had a lot to do with their defense. I am proud of the season that the 8th grade had and I believe "if" they continue to work on their offensive games and make as much progress as they did in the last offseason they will continue to improve."

Nick Romas led the impotent Eagle offense with five points.  Diesel Cato had four, Seth Cauble added three.  Landon Avery, Chris Collins and Samuel Shoemaker each had two.

The team was 2 of 4 from the line for 50%. 

They finished with a record of 11-3.