Oran boys basketball team defeats Advance for district crown

~ The Eagles rolled to a 72-55 victory against the Hornets in the Class 2 District 3 final

ORAN, Mo. -- Joe Shoemaker experienced mixed emotions as the final minutes ticked off during Thursday's Class 2 District 3 title game.

His Oran Eagles enjoyed a comfortable lead and his players started feeling the championship with each made basket.

But Shoemaker spent four years as the coach at Advance, the Eagles' foe in Thursday's game. He led the Hornets to their last district title, which came during the 2006 season.

"It was very weird," Shoemaker said. "That's a group of kids I had in junior high. I keep in touch. They're good kids, good parents over there. It was a little bittersweet feeling seeing them there at the end how they felt. But I'm very proud of my group of kids I have here."

Shoemaker stood on the fringe of the celebration after the game. He accepted congratulations from fans of both teams as he watched his players cut down one of the nets after the Eagles' 72-55 victory on their home court.

"Just kind of soak it all in," he said. "This is a gift from God when you win one of these."

The Eagles players weren't as reserved. They posed for countless team pictures, making sure the district championship plaque was part of each one.

"We've been waiting to do this since eighth grade," Oran senior Nathan Michelsen said with the net draped on his shoulders. "Our senior class is good and we've been together for a long time. This is what we've been waiting for. It's nice to finally do it."

The teams played to a 14-14 tie after one quarter, but Oran's pressure started disrupting the Hornets in the second quarter. Advance went 2 of 9 (22 percent) from the field and turned over the ball six times in the second quarter.

"They were keeping us in front of them with their defense," Advance coach Andrew Halford said. "The other thing is we weren't as active off the dribble. We were being overly patient with the ball. We were moving it, moving it and we'd have chances to attack and wouldn't."

The Eagles outscored the Hornets by 13 points in the second quarter, and Advance never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

Oran got 10 points from senior Jon Morrow and another eight points from Michelsen in the first half. The Eagles went 11 of 21 (52 percent) from the field before the break.

Advance made a little run about midway through the fourth quarter with five consecutive points, but Michelsen quelled the run with two free throws then Morrow hit a shot and was fouled. He let out a loud yell to go with a big fist pump as the shot dropped through the rim.

"I was happy because we were up by so much," Morrow said. "I was like, 'This could happen.'"

It was Michelsen's turn for the traditional three-point play less than 20 seconds later. He drove to the rim and made the shot while getting knocked to the floor. He pounded his chest on the floor while watching the shot drop.

Oran converted 25 of its 27 free throws in the contest, including 17 of 18 in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles last won a district title in 1999.

"It feels amazing," Morrow said. "These guys, they worked so hard. We work hard in practice. Our coach is great. Our assistant coach is great. We deserved this. We worked hard for it."

The Oran players looked like kids on Christmas when they were presented the championship plaque, and their rowdy fan base saved their loudest cheers for the presentation.

"I'm going to Disneyland, that's what I'm doing," Michelsen said about his plans for celebrating the title. "I'll go to Disneyland after every win."

Then he reconsidered, realizing he needed to show up for class this morning.

"It's going to be tough to come to school," he said. "Hopefully the teachers will be nice to us and not give us too much homework."

Michelsen led the Eagles with 22 points. Advance senior Darren VanGennip also hit for 22 points.

The Eagles advanced to Wednesday's sectional round. They will play the winner of tonight's game between New Haven and Viburnum. The sectional game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in Park Hills.

Advance 14 5 20 16 -- 55

Oran 14 18 17 23 -- 72

ADVANCE (55) -- Grant Gray 7, Hunter Wilson 9, Darren VanGennip 22, Dylan Dunivan 6, Jacob Spears 2, Ethan Barr 9. FG 20, FT 12-21, F 22. (3-pointers: Gray 1, Wilson 1, VanGennip 1. Fouled out: Gray, Spears)

ORAN (72) -- Seth Ressel 4, Nathan Michelsen 22, Preston Scherer 3, Kody Moore 4, Tyler Heuring 12, Zac Chasteen 4, Reece Mangels 8, Jon Morrow 17. FG 24, FT 25-27, F 18. (3-pointers: Michelsen 1. Fouled out: none)