By Fred Kroner
Oakwood’s seventh-grade boys’ basketball team emerged as the Vermilion County Tournament champions after winning all three games.
The Knights dominated Westville in the championship game on Monday (Jan. 10), posting a 40-22 victory over an opponent it had beaten by four points in December.
In the rematch, Carsen Dudley’s 23 points were a game-high. He was supported offensively by Alex Wallace (season-high 13 points) and Cale Thomas (four points).
In the semifinals, on Saturday (Jan. 8) at Bismarck, Oakwood edged Bismarck-Henning, 34-27.
Dudley led the way with 21 points. Wallace netted five points. Thomas and Grady Johnson each added three points. Collin Furry and Camden Harris each hit a free throw.
The Knights opened the County Tournament with a 43-11 conquest over Hoopeston on Tuesday (Jan. 4).
Dudley poured in 30 points to lead the way.
Furry notched five points. Thomas contributed four points. Adding two points apiece were Walker Enos and Trevor Hanner.
Oakwood (11-1) faces Armstrong-Potomac at home on Wednesday (Jan. 12).
Oakwood’s eighth-grade boys’ basketball team pulled off an upset over the top-seeded team on Thursday (Jan. 6) in a first-round Vermilion County Tournament game.
Matched up with an opponent the Knights had lost to by 21 points in November, Oakwood edged Salt Fork, 34-30, at Hoopeston to advance into the semifinals.
Alex Wallace scored a season-high nine points to spark Oakwood. Wallace hit 5-of-8 fourth-quarter free throws. Dudley added eight points while Ben Darling and Ethan Morger both netted six points.
Morger’s total represented a season best. Darling sank two three-point shots to raise his team lead from beyond the arc to 14.
The other scoring was supplied by Sailor Harrison (three points) and Collin Furry (two points).
In a 30-26 semifinal conquest of Hoopeston on Saturday (Jan. 8), Dudley tossed in a team-high 12 points.
Darling made eight points and Evgeni Anderson contributed five points. Harrison hit three points and Wallace added two free throws.
In the Tuesday (Jan. 11) championship game, Oakwood fell to Westville, 39-18.
Dudley’s nine points led the Knights. Morger totaled four points, Landon Huddleston had three points and Trevor McCall contributed two points.
Oakwood (4-8) returns to action on Wednesday (Jan. 12) at home against Armstrong-Potomac.
