BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
OTIS — The Central Plains Oiler girls have rarely been tested during their 125-game winning streak. But No. 7 state-ranked 1A Otis-Bison held a 20-19 lead right before halftime.
The No. 1 ranked Oilers rallied with impressive defense after halftime for a dominating 58-35 Central Prairie League basketball victory. The Oilers have won a state record 125 consecutive basketball games, fourth best in U.S. girls basketball history.
The Oilers (14-0, 4-0 CPL) outscored the Cougars 37-15 after halftime with stifling full-court and half-court defense. All-stater Emily Ryan led the way with a game high 24 points despite a rare off-shooting night. Delaney Rugan scored 10 points and Addison Crites added nine points.
The underdog Cougars (13-1, 3-1 CPL) trailed 13-4 when Cristen Trapp nailed back-to-back 3-pointers, the second on a bank shot for a 13-10 score. Maddie Wiltse scored eight first-half points and the Cougars' rugged zone defense kept the Oilers on the perimeter for 10 of 25 shooting with a excellent defensive game plan by coach Robert Trapp.
But the Oilers regained their poise. Ryan scored 18 second-half points and Nixon scored eight points. Maddie Wiltse scored 14 points and Cora Anderson chipped in eight points and Trapp seven points.
The Oilers and Cougars will be the top two teams at the 1A basketball regional at Claflin in February and are likely to play in the championship game.
Central Plains 13 8 16 21 — 58
Otis-Bison 10 10 6 9 — 35
CP (14-0, 4-0)—Emily Ryan 9-17 4-4 24, Rugan 4-12 2-2 10, Crites 4-8 1-3 9, Lamatsch 2-4 0-0 5, Nixon 4-7 0-0 8, Oeser 0-1 0-0 0, Jeffrey 0-1 0-0 0, Hammeke 1-2 0-0 2, Totals 24-52 7-9 58.
OB (13-1, 3-1)—Maddie Wiltse 5-9 4-4 14, Anderson 4-6 0-2 8, Trapp 2-5 1-2 7, Bartonek 1-4 0-0 3, Maier 1-1 1-2 3, Totals 13-25 6-10 35.
3-pointers—CP 3-15 (Ryan 2-7, Lamatsch 1-2, Hammeke 0-1, Nixon 0-1, Oeser 0-1, Jeffrey 0-1, Rugan 0-2), OB 3-8 (Trapp 2-4, Bartonek 1-3, M. Wiltse 0-1). Rebounds—CP 18 (Ryan 6). Assists—CP 20 (Ryan 10). Steals—CP 15 (Nixon 4, Ryan 4).
CENTRAL PLAINS 41, OTIS-BISON 31
OTIS — J.J. Heredia scored 13 points and Toby Holmes and Lawson Oeser each netted 12 points as Central Plains outscored Otis-Bison 41-31 in Tuesday’s Central Prairie League basketball game.
The Oilers (5-9, 2-2 CPL) outscored the Cougars 22-12 after halftime.
Otis-Bison (3-11, 0-4 CPL) was pacved by Dalton Regan with 15 points.
Central Plains 10 9 12 10 — 41
Otis-Bison 9 10 6 6 — 31
CENTRAL PLAINS (5-9, 2-2)—Heredia 6 0-0 13, Oeser 5 0-1 12, Homes 6 0-3 12, Hurley 1 0-0 2, Kitchen 1 0-0 2, Totals 19 0-4 41.
OTIS-BISON (3-11, 0-4)—Dalton Regan 6 2-4 15, Ethan Schneider 2 3-5 7, Butler 2 0-0 6, Kohls 1 0-0 3, Totals 11 5-9 31.
3-pointers—CP 3 (Oeser 2, Heredia 1); OB 4 (Butker 2, Regan 1, Kohls 1).
