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MADISON — The Osmond-Randolph Hawks began their season in Madison Nov. 21 in the annual Jamboree game to raise money for the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. It is an exhibition game, and does not count towards the official win-loss season record.
O-R got shocked by the initial onslaught of Madison’s pressure defense and three-point barrage, and trailed 15-2 midway through the first quarter. Baylen Guenther and Logan Lienemann got the offense rolling off the bench and the Hawks settled in to cut the lead to 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
The Hawks continued to chip away at the Dragon lead in the second quarter, and were finally able to take the lead on a five-point possession with the help of a technical foul assessed to a Madison player late in the half. O-R took a 27-26 lead into the halftime locker room.
Osmond-Randolph came out of the gates hot in the third quarter, doubling their point total in the quarter alone. When leading 35-33, Xander Brown canned a three-pointer that was the start of a 21-5 Hawk run that spanned six minutes of game time, and the Hawks led 54-38 at the end of three quarters.
The Hawks relied on their defense to close out the game, and Madison’s run proved to be too little too late, as the Hawks went home with a 59-49 victory.
O-R had a very balanced scoring attack, as nine players scored and none reached double figures.
Xander Brown and sophomore Luke Harder led the way with nine points, and each had eight rebounds to lead the team as well.
Freshman Ryan Engel dropped in two 3-pointers and a layup for eight points, while Owen Severson scored eight points and swiped six steals.
Seniors Brayden Shearer and Hunter Buchanan came next with six points apiece. Lienemann and Guenther had five points each, and senior Matthew Alderson rounded out the scoring with three points, which all came on free throws.
The Hawks shot an impressive 72.7 percent from the charity stripe on 22 attempts, which was a very big contributing factor to the win.
The Osmond-Randolph Hawks season opener will take place in Osmond Thursday, Nov. 30 against O’Neill St. Mary’s. The night will begin with two quarters of boys’ JV at 5 p.m., with varsity girls and boys to follow.
