Oskaloosa vs. Perry 

When mid-season tournament time comes around in high school basketball, it’s safe to say records can be thrown out the window.

That was the case to open up the Valley Falls Boys Tournament Wednesday night, as 2-8 Oskaloosa and 1-8 Perry went down to the wire, with Perry advancing to the semifinals winning 53-48.

The opening quarter was a pretty good indication of how the ballgame would go, as both teams traded blows with Perry taking a 12-11 lead after the first. Oskaloosa got hot in the second off the play of Shane Adams, as the senior guard drilled two 3-pointers and scored 11 in the quarter, giving the Bears a four point halftime lead, 29-25.

The hot streak switched hands out of the break with Perry using a 10-0 run to take back control after the third quarter 38-34, and holding on to advance with a 53-48 win.

Perry (2-8) now heads to the semifinals of the Valley Falls tournament to take on Valley Falls (7-3) at 7:30 Friday on KAIR 93.7 FM. Oskaloosa (2-9) heads to the Consolation side of the bracket where they meet Cair Paravel Friday at 7:30 on KAIR TV.

Perry: Cam Christman – 13, Cole Kellum – 9, Jordan Spreer – 9, Nate Bays – 8, Mitch Bond – 6, Braden Johanning – 3, Canaan Daniels – 3, Isaac Christman - 2.

Oskaloosa: Shane Adams – 17, Dalton VanHoutan – 11, Hunter Reed – 9, Kyle Hopkins – 6, Justin Cross – 3, Jaxson Webb – 2.  

Valley Falls vs. Cair Paravel

The key to winning high school basketball tournament games often comes down to the kind of seniors that are on each team.

For the Valley Falls boys that proved true Wednesday night, as seniors Marty Gatzemeyer and Zac Allen combed to score 53 points leading the Dragons to an opening round win over Cair Paravel 67-53.  

The senior duo set the tone from the start, combining to score 21 first quarter points jumping out to a 26-16 lead. Cair Paravel rebounded in the second outscoring the Dragons 13-11, but Marty added eight more in the quarter, giving Valley Falls a 37-28 lead at the half.

The third quarter was another big one for the Lions winning it 14-12, but the all-important fourth was all Valley Falls as the Dragons put up 18 points to hang on.

Marty Gatzemeyer put on one of the best performances of the year in the win, notching 32 points in limited fourth quarter minutes.

The Dragons (7-3) turn their attention to Perry (2-8) Friday night in the semifinals at 7:30 on 93.7 FM. Cair Paravel (7-3) takes on Oskaloosa (2-9) Friday at 7:30 on KAIR TV.

Valley Falls: Marty Gatzemeyer – 33, Zac Allen – 21, Dawson Gatzemeyer – 6, Chris Yates – 4, Ty Gatzemeyer – 2, Adam Pickerell – 1, Billy Coleman – 1.

Cair Paravel:  Austin Anderson – 17, Tristan Marsh – 15, Peyton Smith – 9, Jacob Hass – 4, Drew Will – 4, Ryan Key – 2, Stephen Anderson – 2.