Photo by Brent Baker — Connor Hughes (21) and the Hornets had no answer for 6-8 Ty Egbert, who kept Oroville from scoring many points in the paint during Friday’s contest.
COULEE DAM – Oroville and Lake Roosevelt entered Friday’s contest as the last two unbeaten teams in Central Washington League 2B North Division play, but it was hard to tell that it was a game that had first place on the line.
The Raiders lived up to their mascot’s reputation, taking no prisoners in a 72-29 pillaging of the Hornets that left Oroville coach Allen Allie nearly speechless.
“I really don’t know what to say,” Allie said. “It’s probably best if I don’t say anything.”
It wasn’t just 6-8 University of Idaho signee Ty Egbert that made life miserable for the Hornets, though he did have 30 points, four dunks and at least a half dozen blocked shots. Lake Roosevelt doubled up on the Hornets by whatever method one uses to measure intensity, blowing out to a 21-2 lead in the game’s first six minutes.
And that was with Egbert scoring just two points in the run, which featured 3-pointers from Keith Rosenbaum and Kramer Carlson, numerous fast break baskets and, most importantly, fervently played defense inside and out.
The Hornets scored the last five points of the first quarter to cut LR’s lead to 23-9, but the Raiders pulled out to a 46-20 halftime advantage that was never threatened.
Oroville went on to score only nine points in the second half, including just two free throws in the fourth quarter.
Jesse Adkins added 13 points and Rosenbaum had 11 for the Raiders (8-4, 5-0 CWL North), who are now all alone in the league’s top spot.
C.J. Mathews, Zack Speiker and Connor Hughes each scored eight for the Hornets (7-4, 2-1), and Michael Garrett had the team’s other five points.
Oroville 67, Pateros 49
OROVILLE – The Hornets set up Friday’s first place showdown with a 67-49 victory over Pateros on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The Hornets held half of the Billy Goats’ one-two punch, Blayne Harvey, to just nine points. They also limited the effectiveness of Rylan Easter who still tallied 19.
Oroville took a 32-22 halftime lead and pulled away in the third quarter.
Hughes scored 17 points, Garrett had 16 and Dylan Rise added 10 to lead the Hornets.
