Spartans defeat Oakwood in regional semifinal contest

By Fred Kroner

Tanner Jacob scored 14 points and Ty Pence added 13 points on Wednesday (Feb. 22) as the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball team overpowered Oakwood, 73-36, in a Class 2A regional semifinal contest at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin.

The Spartans drained 13 of 23 three-point shots in the game, including a 4-for-5 performance by Jacob.

Logan Smith chipped in with 11 points and Coy Taylor connected for 10 points. Tanner Siems made eight points.

Sinking three-pointers besides Jacob were Siems (two), Taylor (two), Maddux Carter (two), Smith (one), Pence (one) and Caleb Ochs (one).

Smith and Pence each cleared five rebounds. Smith handed out a team-best three assists.

Second-seeded SJ-O (26-4) carries a 12-game winning streak into a Friday (Feb. 24) championship game at B-H/R-A against the host school. In December, SJ-O topped B-H/R-A by 14 points. Sixth-seeded B-H/R-A upended Tolono Unity, 56-55, in Wednesday’s other semifinal game.

Seventh-seeded Oakwood finishes with a 23-10 season record.