Braving the last remnants of a recent ice storm, the OutDoor High School Jackalopes played their first ever competition on January 13, against North Eugene, through the Kidsports Winter Basketball League. With the opposing team down a player, the Jackalopes fielded a four-man team at the Lane County Fairgrounds against the backdrop of nearly two dozen madly cheering OutDoor School fans, many painted in the ODS colors of white and blue.
With 55 seconds left in the first quarter, ODS player #22 Matt Bangle made the team’s first basket, against North Eugene which led with 10 points. Less than a minute later, ODS gained momentum, with a second basket made by #23 Greg Latkowski. Three minutes later, North Eugene called a time out, giving the Jackalopes time to regroup. Shortly afterwards, #13 Derek Gast made the third ODS basket. Bangle, Latkowski and Gast were assisted by #25 Shaun Gaffney.
With the Jackalopes trailing at half time, head coach Bill Kingsbury called on his players to strengthen their rebounding and return to the man-to-man defense they had begun the game with. With less than a minute into the third quarter, Gast made his second basket. ODS also was fouled twice, but failed to capitalize at the free throw line.
Kingsbury told ODS to consider the fourth quarter a “new game” and to come out hard. Less than a minute later, #30 Josh Harman made a basket, followed by Gast’s fourth basket. The final ODS basket was also made by Gast, where upon the entire ODS cheering section dropped to the floor to celebrate with pushups and the “wave”. Despite Bangle missing a three pointer by inches, with 21 seconds to go, spirits were high the entire game. The game ended with a score of 14 to 61, North Eugene.
Coach Kingsbury and Assistant Coach Cristina Capuzzi were philosophical about the Jackalopes’ first loss. “Considering that this was our first game ever against another team, it gave us an opportunity to assess our offense and defense. During upcoming practices, we will improve our rebounding and shoot closer to the basket. In the end, everyone had high morale and fun. We look forward to another game.” The Jackalopes are next scheduled against Churchill on Jan. 20 at 9am at the Fairgrounds. Go Jackalopes!
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