Red Oak beats Tri-Center, loses to Villisca in overtime thriller

NEOLA — The Red Oak Tigers boys’ basketball team got back in the win column with a victory over Tri-Center in Neola Thursday night, 63-46.

Both teams were tied 12-12 after the first quarter. However, the Tigers outscored Tri-Center 18-9 during the second to take the lead.

Red Oak was able to build on their lead in the second half. In fact, the Tigers scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

Andy Vial and Tanner Johnson both recorded double-doubles in the win Thursday night.

Vial was Red Oak’s leading scorer with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the three-point line, and 11 rebounds.

Johnson scored 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting and had 13 rebounds (four offensive).

Jordan Nelson got the start for Red Oak Thursday night and finished with 11 points, including 3-for-5 from beyond the three-point line, as well as five assists.

The win Thursday snapped a five-game losing skid. Red Oak’s last win prior to Tri-Center was against Thomas Jefferson on Jan. 6.

Last Monday, the Red Oak Tigers lost to the Villisca Blue Jays in overtime, 60-58. The difference in the game was free throws made by Travis Herzberg, during the final 30 seconds of overtime.

“We had mistakes, we had mistakes at the worst possible time,” Red Oak Head Coach Brad Schlieman said. “It wasn’t just necessarily the mistake, it just seemed like they were happening at the worse possible time.”

Herzberg was Villisca's leading scorer, recording 20 points.

“We were trying to find some way to stop him,” Schlieman said about Herzberg. “He got to the paint at will and really did whatever he wanted and made it tough on us.”

The Tigers stuck with Villisca in overtime, thanks to points by both Walker and Johnson.

Walker scored 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-10 from the three-point line. Defensively, Walker led Red Oak with four steals.

Johnson finished the game as the Tigers leading scorer with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting and 6-for-13 at the free throw line.

Johnson wasn't able to play much in the second quarter, after picking up his third foul in the final minutes of the first.

“We’re talking to a ref, where he’s going to let us get a sub to the bench. We’re getting Jordan Nelson off the bench and all the sudden, the other ref is throwing the ball in and Tanner’s picking up his third,” Schlieman said.

Carlson also had double-digit points for the Tigers, but he fouled out during the overtime.

Red Oak is now 4-12 for the season.

Monday night, Red Oak was home to play the Fremont-Mills Knights, but results weren't available as of press time.

The Tigers will be home again Tuesday night, as part of a varsity doubleheader against Shenandoah. There will be free admission for all who will be attending, which is sponsored by Red Oak Chrysler.

Free will donations are encouraged though to support the Red Oak chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions.

The Tigers hit the road Friday night to play the Creston Panthers.