Summary: For the second straight year, Oakland went on the road to Howells for the Farmland Basketball League championship game, and for the second straight year, Oakland took home with the Golden Tractor Trophy.
Oakland jumped to an early lead and held a lead of about eight points for most of a the first half. Howells worked its way back into the game, drawing within a point at 16-15 when Mike Bayer hit a 3-pointer with seven minutes left in the first half. Howells was unable to take a lead in the first half, but did manage to tie the game at 24 after a physical and defensive-minded first half.
Bayer went to the post to score on the first possession of the second half, giving Howells its first lead of the ball game. It didn’t last long, though, as the teams traded baskets and the lead back and forth for several minutes.
Oakland gained some separation with a burst of seven points in just over 30 seconds, including a 3-point play by Joe Anderson. The quick run resulted in a 43-35 lead for Oakland with 13:10 left in the game.
Again, Howells responded to the challenge, this time with 3-pointers from Justin Sindelar and Matt Eikmeier to close the gap to two points. But each time Howells threatened, Oakland answered to inflate its lead back to five or six points.
Oakland enjoyed a considerable size advantage, often putting four players on the court measuring 6-4 or taller. Oakland also used an abundance of offensive rebounds and scored on several inbounds plays to build and keep its lead.
With 1:20 left, Sindelar scored inside to make it 63-59 in Oakland’s favor, but that’s as close as Howells would get. Oakland made enough free throws down the stretch to come away with a 73-62 win.
Merritt Nelson led Oakland with 21 points, while Chris Johnson added 12. Sindelar scored 21 for Howells.
Oakland’s FBL championship is its third in the past four years. Howells has now played in the Farmland championship for three straight years, going 1-2.
Howells
No. |
Name |
gp |
pts. |
1 |
Scott Bayer |
1 |
2 |
22 |
Mike Bayer |
1 |
8 |
4 |
Bryon Janata |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Jason Janata |
1 |
6 |
5 |
Andrew Faltys |
1 |
3 |
13 |
Dan Martin |
1 |
6 |
14 |
Justin Sindelar |
1 |
22 |
| 10 |
Steve Schmidt |
1 |
2 |
| 23 |
Matt Eikmeier |
1 |
11 |
Technicals- none |
Oakland
No. |
Name |
gp |
pts. |
| 2 |
Chris Johnson |
1 |
12 |
| 33 |
Mike Selk |
1 |
8 |
| 35 |
Gus Ray |
1 |
4 |
| 14 |
David Deemer |
1 |
5 |
| 45 |
Joe Anderson |
1 |
9 |
| 44 |
Merritt Nelson |
1 |
21 |
| 7 |
Derek Lahm |
1 |
5 |
| 1 |
Terry Richards |
0 |
- |
| 12 |
Kurtis Charling |
1 |
9 |
| 7 |
Travis Lindstrom |
0 |
- |
Technicals- none |
|
