Red Oak splits final two before districts
HARLAN — The Red Oak boys basketball team split their last two games to close out the regular season last week.
The most recent loss came Friday night on the road against the Harlan Cyclones 70-44.
Harlan jumped out to an early first quarter lead, which ballooned by halftime thanks to 24 second quarter points, compared to six for Red Oak. The Cyclones maintained the big lead through the second half.
Tanner Johnson led the way for Red Oak with 13 points. Jordan Nelson scored 12 points, while Pete Walker had six. Additionally, Gage Palmer scored three points, while Jose Perez and Dalon King each had two points.
Red Oak 70, Corning 41
The Tigers began the week with a blowout win last Monday at home against the Corning Red Raiders.
“I thought we moved the ball well against their zone and pushed the ball when we had the opportunity to pushthe ball, and knocked down shots,” Red Oak boys basketball coach Bryan White said after the game.
Red Oak’s offense exploded for 25 points in the first quarter.
They maintained a substantial lead through the other three quarters.
Five Red Oak players finished the game with double-figure points. Johnson led the way for the Tigers with 17 points.
Nelson scored 16 points, Walker had 12 and Rem Tranbarger scored 11 points, a career high for the senior.
Brendon Birt also stepped up, scoring 10 points for the Tigers.
“We wanted to keep up our defensive intensity in the half court, create as much offense as we could out of our defense,” White said.
The Tigers finished the regular season sixth in the Hawkeye Ten with a 13-8 record overall and 6-7 in conference.
Red Oak now puts its focus on the postseason as they play in the 2A district semifinals Thursday night at home.
Red Oak will play the winner of Clarinda and Clarinda Academy.
The Clarinda-Clarinda Academy game was played Monday night and results weren’t posted prior to press time.
Red Oak hasn’t played Clarinda Academy this season, but they defeated Clarinda in both meetings this year.