Red Oak boys basketball splits last two games for regular season

RED OAK — The Red Oak boys basketball team finished the 2013-14 regular season by splitting their last two games.

Red Oak headed into Monday night’s district game against Shenandoah with a 4-17 record.

The most recent game for Red Oak ended in a season-finale loss to the Lenox Tigers Friday night in Red Oak 62-59.

Red Oak had a nine-point lead entering the fourth quarter as Lenox rallied back to overtake the lead late in the game.

“In order to get past it, we just have to get back to the gym and re-gain our focus and understand that as heartbreaking of a loss this has been, there’s a really big game waiting for us on Monday and another opportunity to go and do something really special for our team,” Red Oak boys basketball coach Theo Fundermann said.

Caleb Lange was key for Lenox as he scored 37 points.

Red Oak had opportunities in the final minute to either tie the game or take the lead, but weren’t able to capitalize.

The Tigers got hot in the first quarter as Weston Rolenc, Brendon Birt and Jordan Nelson were scoring points at will.

Rolenc and Birt were both sinking three-pointers as Red Oak jumped out to a 27-13 lead in the first quarter.

“We were doing a good job sharing the basketball and attacking them inside and out and not just settling for long jump shots,” Fundermann said.

Lenox picked up the scoring during the secondquarter, but Red Oak stayed ahead with points of their own.

They also stayed out in front during the first half with some defensive pressure against Lenox.

“The key to having good pressure is you’ve got to make baskets,” Fundermann said.

Rolenc led the way for Red Oak by scoring 19 points. Birt finished with 17, while Ryan Leininger scored 12. Nelson finished with eight points.

The lone win last week for Red Oak came in Corning against Southwest Valley, 70-62.

Red Oak trailed in the first quarter, but rallied to overtake the lead during the second half, holding on to get the win.

Birt had a big game for Red Oak as he scored 35 points for the Tigers, including seven three-pointers.

Nelson also stepped up for Red Oak as he finished with 22 points.

Keegan Longabaugh led the way for Southwest Valley as he had 21 points and 13 rebounds, giving the senior a double-double. Evan Baldwin had 13 points, while Nick Spring finished with 11 for the Timberwolves.

Both Red Oak and Southwest Valley play in Class 2A District 8. The Tigers played the Mustangs in Shenandoah, while Southwest Valley was in Council Bluffs to face St. Albert.

Results weren’t available from either game as of press time.

The winners of both games will face off Thursday night at 6:30 in Treynor.