Menu
Teaser
Oran boys basketball faces defending state champion Van-Far in Class 2 semifinal
ORAN, Mo. -- The Oran boys basketball team knows what it's like to win a state championship. So do the Eagles' opponent.
The last two champions in Class 2 will face off in a state semifinal when Oran takes on reigning champion Van-Far at 11 a.m. today in Springfield, Missouri. The Eagles won the 2017 state title with then-sophomore Jacob Shoemaker scoring 33 points.
Shoemaker is the only Eagle who scored in that game that is still on the roster. Others, like Tyson Goodale and Todd Priggel, watched from the bench as Oran made history by capturing its first basketball state crown.
Oran wants to repeat that accomplishment this weekend. First, it must get past an experienced Van-Far team.
"I've watched some game tape on them," Goodale said. "They seem pretty good, not going to lie, a pretty good team. It's going to be pretty hard to beat them. Like you said, if we play together as a team and be very unselfish with the ball and never give up, we might have a chance."
Shoemaker, Priggel and Goodale make up three-fifths of Oran's starting lineup, along with sophomores Langdon Scheeter and Ty Johnson. Those two were in junior high in 2017, along with sixth man Cooper Priggel. Johnson was part of the state championship baseball team last year, though.
"The thing is the team we get first off had everybody there last year also," Oran coach Joe Shoemaker said. "But between the state baseball championship and basketball two years ago, hopefully we're not as nervous as some. But it doesn't matter how many times you've been there, you're always going to get a few nerves, butterflies in the stomach."
Van-Far outlasted Hayti in the state championship last season, winning 56-55 in overtime as Trey Miller scored 16 points. He's back this year and leads the team in points (14.5 per game) and rebounds (7.4 per game). He's one of six Indians on this year's roster who played in that state championship game.
Oran (29-1) brings a 21-game winning streak into the matchup, its only loss coming to Class 4 Notre Dame on Dec. 27. Van-Far enters at 22-7 and has won all five of its postseason games by 12 points or more.
"They're well-coached, a very talented team," coach Shoemaker said. "They've got a few more losses than us, but they've been to much bigger schools. They're a very good defensive team, and also, like everybody else, they're taller than us."
Four of Van-Far's starters are taller than 6-feet, including the 6-5 Verlyn Johnson. Goodale, Priggel and Johnson are Oran's tallest starters at 6-feet flat. Through districts, Van-Far was also averaging 10 more rebounds per game than Oran, 36.9 to 26.9.
"Each team is a little different challenge, depending on how they use the height," coach Shoemaker said. "It's always a unique challenge we've got to face and battle as a team. We can't make it a one-on-one battle."
Todd Priggel averages 12.1 ppg and a team-high 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Goodale is averaging 12.6 ppg, and Jacob Shoemaker leads the Eagles with 22.9 ppg. He is also the Eagle with the most final four experience. His advice for the younger players is simple.
"Can't be afraid of the moment, that's one thing and just try to enjoy it," Jacob said. "Last time, I just focused on the games and didn't enjoy the experience as much."
Coming off a sectional loss to Hayti last year, Oran has returned to the stage where it experienced so much success two years ago. Comparison between the two teams is inevitable, and Goodale sees some similarities.
"At the beginning of the year, I didn't really see much in that, but toward the end we started to play together a lot more, very unselfish with the ball," Goodale said. "Plus Jacob's shooting is pretty good. Todd's rebounding is excellent. Ty's effort is just amazing. I love playing with these guys."
Oran hopes that history will repeat itself, starting with a win today.
Win that game and the Eagles will be playing for a second state title in three years Saturday.
Community support
There's no school today in the Oran School District to allow the community to make the trek to Springfield, Missouri, for the final four. It's the third consecutive year an Oran sports team has advanced to this stage.
In 2017, it was the boys and girls basketball teams. Last year, it was the baseball squad. Boys basketball is back once more, and the excitement hasn't diminished.
"I just want to thank the community for our great support, our school and our community," coach Shoemaker said. "We've been fortunate enough and blessed to go to a couple final fours in sports and they still support us every year. Appreciate it."