Monday, March 18
Wednesday, March 13
Eagles Finish 4th in State!
If an Oran Eagle fans had been asked before the season started if they would be happy with a season that ended with a trip to the final four, I'm sure the answer would have been a resounding "Yes!".
That's what happened as the Eagles finished 27-5 and claimed 4th in state. Oran made its first trip to the prestigious event in 44 years.
The team will lose 3 seniors, Kody Moore, Alex Heuring and Alex Schlitt.
The entire community is so proud of the team and Coach Joe Shoemaker.
Tuesday, March 5
Well, it's the first full week of March...
so it must be time to start talking about baseb [...what, excuse me just a moment.] [clears throat]
Okay, So, it's the first full week of March and the Oran Eagles are still playing basketball. I'm sure you can understand how I could make that mistake seeing how it's been 44 years since the local hoopsters have made it to the final four in Columbia. Back then it was Class M (M for medium, there was also S for small and L for large). The Eagles dropped a controversial heart breaker to Dixon in the finals and it has been a long dry spell since.
But as I am fond of saying, that was then but this is now.
Lets catch up.
The last time we talked Oran was was 19-3 with three games left in the regular season and had just received the number one seed in the district tournament.
Oran defeated the Bloomfield Wildcats in a close one, 67-63 to win number 20. Alex Heuring led his teammates in scoring with 21.
Next up the Eagles faced Scott County Central for the third time this season. Oran had defeated the Braves in both previous meeting by an average of 33 points. This time it was much closer but the Eagles hit their free throws down the stretch and prevailed 92-83. Seth Ressel had 22 and Kody Moore added 20. Oran completed a perfect sweep not only of the SCC Braves but also the Scott-Miss Conference finishing with a 6-0 record.
The final game of the regular season was senior night for the Eagles. Alex Heuring, Kody Moore and Alex Schlitt were honored before the game against the Advance Hornets. This was the third meeting between the two district rivals. Advance had won the first during the Oran Invitational, while the Oran had won during the SEmissourian Christmas Tournament. Most expected this to be a barn burner but it was decided early and the Eagles defeated the Hornets 69-34.
Oran finished their regular season at 22-3 with momentum and the number one seed heading into district tournament play.
Oran's first opponent in post season was Valley of Caledonia. The Eagles won in a laugher 75-34.
Next up however was conference foe Chaffee. The Eagles had defeated the Red Devils in both previous meeting but both contests were close. In the game, the upset-minded Chaffee squad came out on fire and led into the second half. The Eagles were able to come back however and claimed a 81-74 victory.
In the district championship game, the Eagles would once again be pitted again the Hornets. Oran was able to maintain a lead throughout most of the game and snare their third straight district crown against Advance. This time the score was 81-74. Kody Moore led the way with 22 points including 6 three-pointers. Heuring and Ressell each added 19.
For the third year in a row the Eagles made it to state play.
This year their sectional opponent would be Elsberry. Elsberry did not have a stellar record (17-10) but were district champs for the fourth year in a row with the previous three having been in class 3. It was a game of momentum swings as Elsberry controlled the first and third periods while Oran had the second and fourth. When the fourth quarter buzzer sounded both team had 52 points on the scoreboard. As the game headed into overtime the Eagles were without leading scorer and senior point guard Kody Moore. Things looked gloomy, but the local 5 outscored Elsberry 12-0 in the extra period by going 12-14 from the free throw line to claim the victory and the right to advance to quarterfinal play. Seth Ressell led the way with 24 points.
Most recently, the Eagles faced the Winona Wildcats. In a game where it looked like Oran would take control, the Wildcats kept fighting back and eventually took the lead in the second half. A jumper with 2.3 seconds left by Seth Ressell gave the Eagles the final margin of victory 63-61. Alex Heuring led the way with 19 points and Oran punched their final four basketball ticket for the first time in 44 years.
The 27-3 Eagles will take on the 28-1 Salisbury Panthers Thursday evening at 6:40pm. You can watch it live here:
http://mshsaa.playonsports.com/
I don't know what will happen this coming weekend, but I do know that the whole Eagle Nation is proud of this team and very grateful to have a coach like Joe Shoemaker.
Okay, So, it's the first full week of March and the Oran Eagles are still playing basketball. I'm sure you can understand how I could make that mistake seeing how it's been 44 years since the local hoopsters have made it to the final four in Columbia. Back then it was Class M (M for medium, there was also S for small and L for large). The Eagles dropped a controversial heart breaker to Dixon in the finals and it has been a long dry spell since.
But as I am fond of saying, that was then but this is now.
Lets catch up.
The last time we talked Oran was was 19-3 with three games left in the regular season and had just received the number one seed in the district tournament.
Oran defeated the Bloomfield Wildcats in a close one, 67-63 to win number 20. Alex Heuring led his teammates in scoring with 21.
Next up the Eagles faced Scott County Central for the third time this season. Oran had defeated the Braves in both previous meeting by an average of 33 points. This time it was much closer but the Eagles hit their free throws down the stretch and prevailed 92-83. Seth Ressel had 22 and Kody Moore added 20. Oran completed a perfect sweep not only of the SCC Braves but also the Scott-Miss Conference finishing with a 6-0 record.
District Tournament
Oran's first opponent in post season was Valley of Caledonia. The Eagles won in a laugher 75-34.
State Tournament
This year their sectional opponent would be Elsberry. Elsberry did not have a stellar record (17-10) but were district champs for the fourth year in a row with the previous three having been in class 3. It was a game of momentum swings as Elsberry controlled the first and third periods while Oran had the second and fourth. When the fourth quarter buzzer sounded both team had 52 points on the scoreboard. As the game headed into overtime the Eagles were without leading scorer and senior point guard Kody Moore. Things looked gloomy, but the local 5 outscored Elsberry 12-0 in the extra period by going 12-14 from the free throw line to claim the victory and the right to advance to quarterfinal play. Seth Ressell led the way with 24 points.
Most recently, the Eagles faced the Winona Wildcats. In a game where it looked like Oran would take control, the Wildcats kept fighting back and eventually took the lead in the second half. A jumper with 2.3 seconds left by Seth Ressell gave the Eagles the final margin of victory 63-61. Alex Heuring led the way with 19 points and Oran punched their final four basketball ticket for the first time in 44 years.
The 27-3 Eagles will take on the 28-1 Salisbury Panthers Thursday evening at 6:40pm. You can watch it live here:
I Believe
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