The Oakland-Craig Boys Basketball Team lost 73-66 at home to North Bend Central Friday night in action heard on 107.9 the Bull.
Both teams' offenses were strong early on as North Bend Central got out to a 21-19 lead at the end of one.
The Knights held a 30-29 lead in the 2nd quarter, but the Tigers ended the half on a mini 5-0 run to take a 34-30 lead into the locker room.
Oakland-Craig Head Coach Aaron Meyer says that was a key point in the game. "One of those deals where we didn't end the 1st half well. We gave up a 3. Went from a one point lead to a 4. Loved the way we made a big run at the end of regulation. But you get into overtime, and maybe I made the mistake of telling the guys you got to be one of the first ones to draw blood. They got a 2 and then they got a 3, and in overtime that's just hard to get behind the 8 ball on the first two possessions like that. But North Bend's very, very talented. And we were up to the challenge. That was a great game."
North Bend Central scored the first 4 points of the 3rd quarter to make it a 38-30 game, capping off a 9-0 run.
The Tigers eventually led 48-42 heading into the 4th quarter.
The Knights outscored North Bend Central 18-12 in the final period to force OT with the game tied at 60.
The Tigers scored the first 7 points of overtime in outscoring Oakland-Craig 13-6 in the extra session.
North Bend Central Head Coach Jon Baehr says that was the difference in the game. "Yeah we talked on the bench just to stay with it, do our job, make sure we're communicating on defense, and make sure we got a good offensive possession. And we were able to do that. Just fortunate to come away with it this time."
The Knights were led by Garrett Seagren's game-high 37 points. "Wow I did not know that he had that many. Yeah Garrett was feeling it, he was feeling it tonight. And all in all, he was letting the game come to him. At the end of the game there was a few guys that forced a few shots, but all in all I mean he was doing a lot of really good thigs. So yeah he had a great game obviously," Meyer said.
Also scoring in double figures for now 11-6 Oakland-Craig was Garrison Dodge, who had 14 points. Wyatt Seagren notched 8.
The Knights battle Stanton (2-15) in the first round of the East Husker Conference Tournament at Wisner-Pilger on Saturday.
The Mustangs lost 62-27 at home to BRLD on Saturday.
Oakland-Craig beat Stanton 60-30 at home on Friday, January 5th.
I look for the Knights to cruise to another easy win on Saturday, but Oakland-Craig has to be sharp.
Wisner-Pilger will be looming perhaps on Tuesday, and what a battle and a matchup that would be.
There are a lot of really good teams in the East Husker Conference this year, on the boys' side especially.
I feel there are 6 teams that could win this Conference Tournament.
The Knights made the 3rd place game at Central Community College in Columbus last year, beating BRLD in that game.
It certainly won't be easy for Oakland-Craig to get back there, but it can definitely happen.
Garrett Seagren has to have a great game for the Knights, and Dodge and Wyatt Seagren have to turn in a similar performance to what they had against the Tigers.
Oakland-Craig needs everyone to contribute, a all hands on deck effort.
The Knights have to go out there and play hard, and let the scoreboard take care of itself.
Oakland-Craig has to jump on the Mustangs early and put Stanton away.
The Knights can't let the Mustangs hang around and think that they have a chance to win.
Oakland-Craig has to come out and play strong offense and defense, and look to create turnovers and steals into easy transition baskets.
The Knights have to be relentless with their attack, and must run run and run.
I think Oakland-Craig has a good shot to make it back to CCC in Columbus, but the Knights could definitely have their work cut out for them after the Stanton game if they can get past the Mustangs.
The Oakland-Craig Girls Basketball Team lost 35-26 at home to North Bend Central Friday night.
Oakland-Craig got out to a strong start and held an early lead, 11-8 at the end of the 1st quarter.
North Bend Central battled back to go up 16-12 in the 2nd quarter before the Knights went on a mini 5-0 run to conclude the first half, capped off by Mya Guzinski's 3-pointer to end the half.
Oakland-Craig Head Coach Joe Anderson says his team came out strong. "Yeah that was something we really really wanted to. These last few games have been a struggle since Kennedy's (Benne) injury. And it was nice to have a couple days of practice. We haven't had any practice since that's happened. So our girls came out with a lot more energy, and played good defense. North Bend, that's a very good basketball team. We're just a body or two short right now. Kind of ran out of gas. But like I said I love the improvement. Girls have to take on new roles, and I thought we really did that tonight."
North Bend Central went on an 11-0 run in the 3rd quarter to lead 32-22 after trailing 22-21.
The Tigers won the 4th quarter 6-4.
Guzinski had a game-high 14 points for the Knights, who fell to 11-6 on the year with loss. "Yeah she played really well. That was by far her best game of the season. And I've talked to a couple of them with Kennedy out and obviously Dacey (Nelson) out, there's 45 points a game that we normally have, that somebody's got to step up and score. And we struggled with that on Tuesday. And we're not used to that. Natalia (McNeill) did a little bit on Tuesday, and she's kind of been our second scorer, but we need that next person, and Mya did a great job tonight, and played with confidence and kept us right there," Anderson said.
Oakland-Craig battles Clarkson/Leigh (11-5) in the 1st round of the East Husker Conference Tournament at Howells-Dodge Friday night.
The Patriots beat Lutheran High Northeast 41-29 at home Friday night.
Clarkson/Leigh knocked off Oakland-Craig 36-30 at home on December 5th when the Knights had Benne so imagine the challenge Oakland-Craig faces this time around.
Perhaps the Knights will be able to win though.
I thought Oakland-Craig did a nice job keeping the North Bend Central game low scoring and slowed it down enough to give themselves a shot.
That's something I think the Knights will need to do again against Clarkson/Leigh Friday night.
I think a low scoring game favors the Patriots, but it's the type of game Oakland-Craig has to want at this point.
The Knights need Guzinski and McNeill to really step up and score, and must get them both going to be successful.
I think Oakland-Craig has a shot to win, but it won't be easy.
I feel the Knights were better than a 9 seed prior to Benne getting hurt, and think the Patriots are a better team than the 8 seed so this should be a good and interesting contest.
Both teams play strong defense and I think defense will be on point for both teams in this game.
I think it's matter of which team's offense shows up and plays the best.
At this point you would have to say Clarkson/Leigh has more offensive weapons, but that doesn't mean some can't be developed for Oakland-Craig by the time they take the floor.
I look for both teams to come out and play well and tough.
I think this game will be a good one.
Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. at Howells-Dodge.
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