Odessa boys basketball drop first two games

ODESSA – For the Odessa boys, the basketball season got off to a disappointing start. The long trek to the football semifinals left many of the boys who also play basketball unable to start practice when the winter season opened. Injuries from football are also now hindering the basketball team. Collin Martin and Jacob Scrupps are both benched with injuries but hope to get cleared to play soon. New head coach HP Carstensen and his assistant Matt Gorman are still getting to know the players and their respective skills and weaknesses.

The Dec. 10 game against Wellpinit started off well enough for the Tigers, as they kept the game within reach in the first half. After the break, however, the Redskins began pulling away, and a big fourth quarter for them saw shots being made from all over the court. An injury to senior Daeton Deife was also a blow to the Odessa team.

Wellpinit 16 19 19 25 79

Odessa 16 11 9 15 51

Deife scored 14 points to pace the Tiger offense before being injured late in the game. Gage Starkel's seven rebounds led the team, while Nathan Carstensen pulled down five more.

Against the Valley Christian Panthers on Saturday, Dec. 11, in Spokane Valley, the Tigers were missing three experienced players. Cold shooting was also an issue.

Odessa 11 6 5 9 31

VC 20 11 13 11 55

Sophomore Zach Claassen scored eight points to lead the Tigers, while Landen Brooks and Dakota Steward each scored five points. Starkel once again led the rebounding with 12 and Carstensen added eight more.

Coach Carstensen said, "We're battling several injuries right now, and several players are having to fill positions that they have not played before. Our players are also young for the most part. I was very proud of their efforts, though, because they all gave a hundred percent."