2006 in Review

Lets revisit some of the Highlights of the past year:

FEBRUARY: (28th) The 3rd seeded Eagles opened district play with a 64-56 victory over Marquand at Oak Ridge.

MARCH: (1st) Oran upsets 2nd seeded Saxony Lutheran in the semi's of the class 1, district 2 basketball tournament before falling to eventual state runner-up Bell City in the finals.

(26th) The baseball Eagles opened another successful season with a rout over Zalma.

APRIL: (4th) School bond issue passes easily, paving the way for new elementary school that includes a multi-purpose room.

(6th) The Eagles lose for the first time this season, 7-1 to Scott City. Their record is 5-1.

(17th) Oran takes 3 out of 4 in the Midwest Classic against big school competition.

(23rd) It is reported that Eagle basketball coach and AD, Jason Andrews, has resigned. He later takes the head basketball ball job at Doniphan.

MAY: (19th) Oran cruises to its 4th district baseball title in five years with its win over Advance.

(25th) Oran crushes Cooter in sectional contest.

(29th) Oran clinches trip to Columbia with defeat of Saxony Lutheran.

JUNE: (1st) After a disappointing performance in the semi-finals against eventual state champ Sacred Heart, the Eagles regroup enough to claim third place against Silex.

(15th) Oran has three named to the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters all state team.

(18th) Austin Dumey 2006 Standard Democrat Player of the Year. And the Standard Democrat 1st Team is announced.

AUGUST: (9th) Mitch Wood get love from Chris Moore.

SEPTEMBER: (29th) We break ground on the new school.

OCTOBER: (30th) Oran alum Amber Seyer named Miss Missouri USA.

No Offense, Sister

I've been really struggling with this lately. I know its not that big of deal, but still... For the past couple of days I have been trying to decide whether it would have been better to lose to Cape Central and have an opportunity to sweep through to the consolation championship or win and face Charleston (we all know what happened in that game) and then face Scott County Central.

Part of me would have really loved to go 3-1 and bring home a trophy. However, as the Cape Central game went into overtime I was rootin' hard and heavy for a victory and I did not want to lose. After it was over I was very proud of the way the Eagles battled. Shoot, not much could be sweeter than to beat a 5A school (I know its supposed to be just class 5, but 5A sounds better if you ask me).

To beat Cape Central was "schweet"!

Then the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is an educational endeavor. Now, the kid could take basic math, basic grammar and basic basket weaving (read: Oak Ridge, Chaffee and Kelly) and make straight A's. Or he could take Calculus, College Comp and...well , advanced basket weaving (read: Charleston, Scott County and hopefully Advance or Scott City)

We may go 1-2 for the tournament but we will be challenged and have an opportunity to be tested. The alternative-beating three weak teams-would be like kissing your sister. Hey, even if your sister is a Miss America contestant she is still just your sister.

PRICELESS

Ketchup Time

Well, its been over a week since the last post, lets Ketchup.

On Monday the 11th the girls travelled to Scott County Central to play the Bravettes for the second time in a week, unfortunately the results were the same. The Lady Eagles were defeated 54 - 21. Tiffany Glasstetter had 10 points to lead the way offensively in a losing effort.

On Thursday the 14th Lady Eagles were on the road again, this time visiting South Pemiscot. Our girls routed the Bulldoggettes 54 -16. Tiffany Glasstetter once again was the leading scorer, this time with 17.

The Lady Eagles enter the Christmas break with a 3-3 record. They resume play the week of January 2nd at Delta for the annual New Year's Tournament.

Over the same time period, the boys have gone on a three game winning streak.

On Tuesday, December 12th, the Eagles hosted East Prairie. After a slow start, the tempo picked up and the home town five picked up an 88-73 victory. Chase Seyer led the local Eagles in scoring with 22 point. Here's a link to the game story and box score (scroll down).

On Friday the 15th the Eagles were at home again, this time hosting the Delta Bobcats. After a close 1st quarter that saw the home squad lead only 12-8, the Eagles completely dominated the rest of the way outscoring the Bobcats 51-20 for a final score of 63-28. Oran only allowed 9 points in the 2nd half. Once again, the Eagles were led in scoring by Seyer, this time with 14. Cody Romas scored 12 on 4 three pointers. Story/box score link

The Eagles hit the road to Perryville to play St. Vincent's last night. Strange things can happen at that gym. Often times you hear how a team will try to take the fans out of a game. At St. Vincent's you try to take the officials out. Fortunately that was the case as the Eagles raced to a 39-21 halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way to win 60-39. Seyer had 24 and Robert Lange added 14 before fouling out in the 4th quarter.

The Eagles, on the strength of this 3 game winning streak have improved their record to 6-2.

Next for the boys will be Cape Central on Tuesday at the SEMissourian Christmas Tournament. The Eagles play at 9pm at the Show Me Center.




Perhaps the most intriguing sports news of the past week took place not on the court but in the superintendent's office. Last Wednesday the school board voted to maintain the status quo on the softball/volleyball issue. Volleyball will continue to be played and softball will remain a spring (non-championship season) only sport.

While, I won't use this forum to debate the pros and cons of the board's decision I will voice my concerns about how the issue was handled. I feel the issue could have and should have been debated and voted on in open session. I will admit that I don't know all the requirements when it comes to what matters are handled in open or closed session, I do know, however, that junior high baseball came out of nowhere, was added to the agenda at the start of the meeting and was approved all within the open session.

While I'm on my soapbox, I also think that the school/school board should make sure that agendas and minutes are published. Other schools, Chaffee and Scott City in particular, have their minutes in the Chaffee Signal. Jimminy Christmas, the school has a web site, if nothing else post them there. Granted, the agenda is taped to the office entry door allowing visitors a chance to see it, but how many of us actually go to the school the day of or the day before a board meeting. It certainly would remove the appearance of trying to "hide" things if these items were a little more open and public.

Just my thoughts from the bleachers.

2006 SEMissourian Christmas Tournament

(click on bracket to enlarge)

TGIF and the Week in Review

Tonight is a big night for Oran Eagle Basketball. The Eagles host Scott City in a game that will have serious implications as far as seeding for the upcoming SEMissourian Christmas Tournament. A victory tonight should open the door for a top eight seed a loss on the other hand and we could be looking at a 12 or a 13.

Semo Sports Web has Oran in the top 20 of their initial poll.

Jr high boys finished their season, they made it to the semi's of the conference tournament before bowing out against Scott County Central.



Lady Eagles play in the consolation game of the Chaffee Invitational on Saturday at 1:30pm against Scott City. Oran suffered a disappointing loss to Scott Central in the opening round but bounced back to dominate East Prairie and propel them into a trophy game.



The High School boys dominated a much smaller Risco team in their "Hoosiers" style gym on Tuesday evening. Offense looked good , defense looked...what defense????



Baseball district assignment have been posted. Chaffee and Thayer are now Class 2. Valle is back to Class 1.




Have a great weekend and "Go Eagles!"

The Wake Up Call Finally Came?

Sounds as if a 2-3 start, including back to back losses to rivals Scott County Central and Advance, has given Bell City a much needed wake up call. Last night they avenged their earlier loss to Advance in the third place game of the Oran Invitational Tournament by totally dominating the Hornets on the road.

Bell City led 22-8 after one quarter, stretched the lead to 44-19 at the half and finished with a 67-34 victory. From what I understand, the intensity is back in red and black.

This may make things a little more interesting if BC can continue.

I was surprised..shoot I was shocked, that Saxony beat Scott City. I thought the Crusaders would be down, way down, this year and that Scott City would be pretty tough. We get to see Scott City on Friday night. We won't see Saxony until later in the season.

The Scott City game will more than likely play an important role on how we get seeded for the Christmas Tournament. With a victory over the Rams we should be able to pull down an eight or nine seed. A loss would probably drop us down into the 12 or 13 range.

This is a big home game coming up Friday...WE NEED ALL DIRTY BIRDS IN THE NEST!

There's a New Sheriff in Town!

After watching Scott Central defeat Bell City on Thursday and then come within a 45 second melt-down of beating Class 3 Malden on Saturday during the championship game of the OIT, I can't help but believe that Scott Central has dethroned the BC as the team to beat in Class 1 locally.

From what I understand Clarkton may be a team that could challenge but I will not bet against the Ronnie Cookson coached Braves.

It is my opinion that the Bell City Cubs no longer look hungry. They don't have that little extra intensity that set them apart (along with their talent) from others. Denfensively, they just don't get after it like they have in the past.

All in all I thought it was a great tournament and in particalur a great finals night. After a sluggish start to the 5th place game, Oran picked up the pace and it was off to the races for the rest of the evening. Congrats to the Eagles for keeping the consolation trophy at home.

Advance came back from a 10 point half time deficit to post a win over Bell City in the 3rd place game. Malden was able to hold off the very talented Brave for the big trophy.

Looking forward to another busy sports week. Tonight the jr high boys basketball tournament begins. The event is being hosted by Kelly with our 8th graders playing at 8:15pm. BTW, tonight is McTeachers night at McDonalds in Benton. All proceeds go to Oran Schools.

Also tonight, the High School girls open the Chaffee Invitational against Scott Central at 7pm.

The High School Boys play at Risco Tuesday and host Scott City on Friday in a important game that could really improve their seeding for the Christmas Tournament.

Pep Club: Good Job Dirty Birds, keep up the good work.

It Lived up to the Hype!

So often in sports big hype means big let down.

Last night however, the game everybody wanted to see was a game worth seeing. The rematch of last years sectional blowout between Bell City and Scott Central was worth the price of admission and then some. The game featured hot shooting, big runs, and a Lou Ferrigno impersonation.

Congratulations Scott County Central on the victory. I truly felt it would be another year before the Braves would catch up to the Cubs. Shows how much I know.

...Well I do know its much easier to root for Scott Central with Ronnie Cookson on the bench.

Okay Dirty Birds need a big turnout tonight. Root your team on to a trophy.