The Oakland-Craig Boys topped Stanton 61-59 on a buzzer beater on the road last Friday night before falling 90-69 at Winnebago last Saturday, and 63-50 at home to BRLD Friday night.
The Mustangs led the Knights 14-13 after one. Stanton won the second quarter 19-16 to take a 33-29 lead into the locker room.
Oakland-Craig outscored the Mustangs 19-15 in the third quarter to tie the game at 48 at the end of three.
The Knights outlasted Stanton 13-11 in the fourth quarter.
Carter Thiele had a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds while Kobe Benne and Garrett Seagren had 15 and 7 points, respectively.
Head Coach Aaron Meyer on the win.
"We have to tip our hats to Stanton because they had a phenomenal game. Carter had a solid game for us. All in all, we were flat on offense. But we persevered, especially at times when we seemed to have a whole lot going against us. In the end, we never gave up hope, and Garrett made the shot of a lifetime."
Winnebago jumped on the Knights 32-10 at the end of one. The Indians outscored Oakland-Craig 24-18 in the second quarter to take a 56-28 lead into the locker room.
Winnebago won the third quarter 20-16 to go up 76-44 at the end of three.
The Knights outlasted the Indians 25-14 in the fourth quarter.
Thiele and Seagren notched 24 points apiece.
Meyer says his team learned a lot in the loss.
"When you play a team as good as Winnebago, those types of teams really expose areas where you need to improve if you are going to be a contender going forward. We need to move our feet better on D, transition back defensively, and keep our composure on the offensive end when we are pressured. This was a humbling experience and I hope we learn from it and move forward."
The Wolverines tripled up Oakland-Craig 18-6 in the first quarter. The Knights won the second quarter 15-14 to make it a 32-21 game at halftime.
Oakland-Craig outlasted BRLD 12-11 in the third quarter to make it a 43-33 game at the end of three.
The Wolverines outscored the Knights 20-17 in the fourth quarter.
Thiele led the team with 18 points while Seagren notched 17.
Meyer says there are things his team could have done differently and better.
"We will be facing some quality opponents over the next few weeks. The last thing we want to do is spot the other team an 11-1 lead right out of the gate. Early on we settled for taking outside jumpers without any sort of penetration, and they didn't fall. The game changed when we decided to go to the rim. We ended up shooting 70% from 2, but still, we shot more 3's than 2's. Our rebounding and defensive footwork needs to improve as well."
Oakland-Craig (10-4) is scheduled to take on Tekamah-Herman (0-9) on the road Tuesday night.
The Tigers lost 64-28 at Madison Friday night.
The Knights shouldn't have much trouble with Tekamah-Herman if they play.
Oakland-Craig has to prepare themselves mentally in a way that they are going to play.
The Knights have a tough game at North Bend Central on Friday, but Oakland-Craig has to be ready to go for Tekamah-Herman until if and when that game is called off.
There's nothing anyone can do about the weather, but the Knights need to stay focused mentally during this time, and not let the weather postponing games get to them, should that happen.
Oakland-Craig has kind of hit a lull in their season, but there's no doubt the Knights have what it takes to get back on track.
Oakland-Craig just has to get back to playing the type of defense they are capable of, and must find a way to toughen up and persevere during these difficult times.
The Knights have to find ways to get to the free throw line, and must look to attack the basket more, in my opinion.
Oakland-Craig can't settle for too many jump shots. The Knights have to look to get good and easy looks at the basket.
Oakland-Craig has to make the easy shots and find a way to knock down contested shots too.
The Knights have to be aggressive on offense and defense, and make it hard on their opponents the best they can.
Oakland-Craig has to foul hard and with a purpose when they do foul, and force teams to earn their points from the free throw line.
The Knights also have to continue to shoot the ball with confidence.
The Oakland-Craig Girls fell 46-32 at Stanton last Friday night, downed Winnebago 78-39 on the road last Saturday, and defeated BRLD 70-58 at home Friday night.
The Mustangs led the Knights 9-5 at the end of one. Stanton outscored Oakland-Craig 14-2 in the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead into the locker room.
The Knights tripled up the Mustangs 18-6 in the third quarter to make it a 29-25 game at the end of three.
Stanton outlasted Oakland-Craig 17-7 in the fourth quarter.
Dacey Nelson led the way with 14 points while Shannon Pille notched 12.
The Knights jumped out to a 25-11 lead on the Indians at the end of one. Oakland-Craig won the second quarter 14-12 to take a 39-23 lead into the locker room.
The Knights tripled up the Indians 21-7 in the third quarter to go up 60-30 after three.
Oakland-Craig doubled up Winnebago 18-9 in the fourth quarter.
Nelson totaled 24 points and 8 rebounds while Pille recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Emmy Bousquet added 10 points and 7 rebounds while Melanie Snader totaled 7 points and 7 rebounds. Kennedy Benne chipped in 7 rebounds.
The Wolverines led the Knights 15-13 after one. BRLD won the second quarter 17-16 to take a 32-29 lead into the locker room.
Oakland-Craig outscored the Wolverines 17-12 in the third quarter to go up 46-44 at the end of three.
The Knights outlasted BRLD 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
Nelson posted a school record 42 points and 9 rebounds while Benne registered 15 points.
Oakland-Craig has really played well in their last two games.
The Knights (9-4) are scheduled to take on Tekamah-Herman (2-11) Tuesday night on the road.
The Tigers lost 41-36 at home to West Point-Beemer on Saturday.
I feel Tekamah-Herman is a better team than their record indicates, and Oakland-Craig had better be ready to go should the two teams play.
The Knights have a tough game at North Bend Central on Friday, but Oakland-Craig should be focused on playing Tekamah-Herman until if and when that game is postponed.
The players have to do what they can to remain mentally sharp during this winter storm that is approaching us.
Things like helping scoop snow and laying salt down on ice can be a good way for them to stay physically and mentally active.
A lack of practice time could hurt the Knights on Tuesday if they play, but Oakland-Craig should be okay for Friday as they should be able to have a couple of days of practice prior to that game.
The thing of it is all teams are in the same boat as the Knights so a lack of practice time due to the weather cannot be used as an excuse for Oakland-Craig should they play and lose on Tuesday.
Let's talk about Nelson though. What a great game she had against BRLD. Setting a school record with 42 points is something she will no doubt remember for the rest of her life.
Records are meant to be broken, but it's going to take a tremendous effort on the part of whoever breaks the record in the future.
She needs to keep up her fantastic play whenever the Knights take the floor again.
She has proven to be this team's leader, and is having a fantastic individual season.
Pille, Benne, and Bousquet deserve credit too though. They've stepped up at different times and led and helped this team during the course of the season.
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