TILDEN — On Thursday, Dec. 21, the Osmond-Randolph Hawks boys’ team traveled to Tilden to take on the undefeated and second-ranked team in Class C2, Elkhorn Valley. The 1-4 Hawks showed their potential by battling with the 7-0 Falcons, but lost by a score of 62-49.
In a tough task against the long and athletic boys of Elkhorn Valley, O-R started off the game with a 9-8 lead about midway through the first quarter.
The offensive firepower of the Falcons flexed its muscles over the next four minutes, and the Hawks trailed 20-13 after one quarter of play. O-R would not go quietly, as they carried a 32-22 deficit into the halftime locker room.
The third quarter saw EV open their advantage by 1 point, to 47-36.
The lead would grow to 17 during the fourth quarter as O-R had to play the foul game to gain extra possessions, but were able to shrink it back to 13 as they lost 62-49.
Senior Xander Brown had an outstanding night offensively, leading the way with 18 points on an impressive 7/10 shooting from the field. Brayden Shearer came next with 7 points and also led the Hawks in the rebounding department, ripping down 8.
A trio of senior Hawks, Hunter Buchanan, Owen Severson and Baylen Guenther all scored 6 points, as Guenther pulled down 4 rebounds of his own to add to his stat line.
Freshman Ryan Engel scored 4 points while also swiping 4 steals on the defensive end, while Luke Harder rounded out the scoring with 2.
Osmond-Randolph ultimately lost the game, but showed a competitiveness and an ability to play with one of the top teams in their class, which they will look to build upon as they enter the next portion of their sched - ule, which starts in the first round of the Randolph Holiday Tournament against the Winside Wildcats on-Friday, Dec. 29, at 6:30 p.m. They will then play Saturday at a time to be determined by the result of the first game.
BOX SCORE FG FT Reb. Pts. L. Harder 1-4 0-0 1 2 Brown 7-10 1-2 1 18 Shearer 3-6 1-2 8 7 Severson 3-5 0-0 0 6 Guenther 1-2 3-4 4 6 Alderson 0-0 0-0 0 0 Buchanan 2-5 2-2 0 6 Lienemann 0-3 0-0 1 0 Engel 2-5 0-0 2 4 Hawks 19-40 7-10 17 49
