 "Photo: Aaron Gould/ The Olympian")
The Olympic College men’s basketball team finally got a couple much needed wins to boost the team's confidence but have since lost the last four games.
On Feb. 10 the Rangers hosted Bellevue College. Although the big three for the Rangers, Isaiah Thompson, Andre Moore and Dietrich Rios, combined for 60 of the Rangers’ 83 points (Thompson with 15, Moore with 20 and Rios with 25) the Rangers lost 98-83.
The Rangers’ were out rebounded the Rangers 44-30.
“Our defense has been playing well but we need stop the other team from getting rebounds,” said head coach Billy Landram. “When we let them get offensive rebounds it gives the other team too many points and it is what has been haunting us lately.”
The Rangers then faced Skagit Valley Community College. This was a back and forth game all the through, the game was tied at the half at 35 a piece and the second half was close too.
The Rangers struggled a bit in the first half shooting free throws but they improved in the second half. So did Skagit Valley, who took a one-point lead with just seconds left in the game. Cartiea French-Toney then had a nice drive to the basket but the shot just missed bouncing off the back of the rim.
The Rangers were then forced to foul and ended up losing the game 85-88. Thompson scored 23 for the Rangers and Rios added 17. Toney also had a big game scoring 14 and had seven assists. Although the Rangers did shoot an improved 72 percent from the free throw line they still missed a few towards the end of the game, and were again out rebounded.
“We have been playing with a smaller line-up, mostly five guards to speed the game up, make the other team play faster then they are use to,” said Landram. “Then we have to take advantage of the opportunity. The problem is it makes it hard to rebound.”
The Rangers traveled to face Seattle Community College Saturday.
The Rangers had six players who scored double figures including 18 from Corey Bagby and 16 from Rios. The Rangers again kept the game close but fell short losing the game 87-94.
The Rangers shot a decent 75 percent form the line, but they still missed a few when they needed them the most.
“We have lost a few games with our free-throws,” said Landram. “We need to step up and make ‘em. We are not having much trouble with scoring, I mean we had six guys with double figures and Rios, our only sophomore has been stepping up, we just need to finish.”
The Rangers have just two games left. Wednesday the Rangers travel to face Edmonds Community College and then have the last home game against second place Whatcom Community College on Saturday.
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