Tigers earn third at O Club Tourney
Tigers earn third at O Club Tourney
The Osmond Tigers girls basketball team finished third place in the Osmond High School O Club Tournament on Saturday, February 9.
The Tigers lost their first game 23-6 against Plainview, but they earned their first win of the year 23-18 against Randolph.
“Our girls know that we aren’t a team that’s simply all about winning on the scoreboard, but it was nice for them to see some tangible results for all of their hard work,” Tigers Coach Scott Morrison said.
The game against Plainview wasn’t terrible for the Tigers; they competed and had opportunities to keep the game tight.
The Tigers did well to break the press and to play defense. Much of their overall performance has improved from the beginning of the season.
Osmond needed to be more aggressive, play to the whistle each possession, and rebound better.
“We were just a shade too slow for much of the game,” Morrison said. “Plainview was more aggressive and fought a little bit harder to achieve the little things like gaining possession of 50-50 balls and offensive rebounds.”
Overall, the Tigers played the Pirates tougher than they did just a week ago in Plainview, where the Tigers scored five first-quarter points and then did not score again.
“Signs of improvement are all around these girls. They’re getting better! Sometimes it’s tough to recognize that in the moment, but they are making strides.”
The Pirates ended up second place in the tournament after losing to Wausa in overtime of the championship game.
In the third place game, the Tigers played much more aggressively and much more together.
“This game was fun from a coaching standpoint because everyone on our team stepped up and did something positive to contribute to the team’s performance.”
The Tigers started the game up 6-3.
Cali Gutz scored four of her game-high fourteen points in the first quarter. Tessa Gardner also score on a close-range shot.
Heading into halftime, the Tigers were up 10-9. Gutz added two more points and Leia Buchanan scored two of her six points.
“Our two eighth graders had a really nice game,” Morrison said. “Cali was really aggressive going to the hoop while Leia really stepped up and proved clutch throughout the game.”
The Tigers battled in the third quarter, scoring four and allowing just two points. Gutz had both third quarter baskets for the teams; however, it was the Tigers defense that shutdown the Cardinal attack.
The Tigers played man-to-man for the first time all year and did a pretty nice job with it. They did well to stop the ball and to make sure each shot was contested.
“It’s huge for us to play well defensively,” Morrison said. “Historically speaking, if we can keep our opponents under twenty points, we’ll win the game.”
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers outdid the Cardinals 9-7. It seemed like each Tiger stepped up and did something positive to help maintain and keep the lead.
Juliana Kumm had a nice game. She secured an excellent rebound and chinned the ball so no one could get it from her.
Tessa Gardner, Callie Hoffman, and Anabelle Vinson did well setting high screens for the Tiger guards.
Anna Kahny and Leia Buchanan each had big baskets down the stretch. Leah got a pass from Gutz and was ready to shoot the instant she had the ball in her hands. Kahny fought for the ball down low and put in a nice basket late in the game.
Caydence Krienert played consistently on defense throughout the game. She drove the ball to the hoop as well.
The Tigers move on to play in the Bloomfield tournament on Saturday, February 16. This is a make up from when it was postponed earlier in the season.
This is a three-team, round robin fashion game. The Tigers will play Bloomfield first and then take on Santee.
Game 1 |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
F |
OSMOND |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
PLAINVIEW |
6 |
2 |
10 |
5 |
23 |
Game 2 |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
F |
OSMOND |
6 |
4 |
4 |
9 |
23 |
RANDOLPH |
3 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
18 |