Orioles Fall for Second Time this Season

Lennox hosted last season’s state runner ups who returned four of last years starters. Lennox returned only three starters. Lennox had a lot of small things to fix from their past loss to Sioux Falls Christian and they did that in a big way.

After an early 12 to 2 start for Madison, Lennox would turn it around outscoring Madison 12 to 6 to finish the first quarter at a score of 18 to 14. A huge three hit nothing but net when Brock Anderson hit to end the first quarter.

The second quarter was very evenly matched. An early start by Madison again, led to a 36 to 26 score with a minute to go. Ethan Gilbert’s three pointer was followed by a steal and a score to make it 31 to 36. Two free throws for Madison would end the half at 38 to 31.

A quick three from Nick Comes opened the third quarter for Madison. After a Lennox layup by Brock Anderson, Jaxon Janke’s three opened a 46 to 33 lead, Madison’s biggest to that point. Sophomore Josh Arlt would hammer a three to make it 46 to 36. The three ball would keep the Orioles close as Quincy Ihnen would hit a three to keep it a ten point game. However, the three ball also hurt the Orioles. Madison’s Josh Giles would hit a three to open it back up to a 54 to 43 score. After two Will Daugherty free throws, it was 54-45. Off that, Josh Giles hit another three to open a 57-45 lead. Late in the quarter, a huge and one layup from Zach Leisinger led to a 59-50 score. However, a late foul called for Madison would lead to two free throws for Madison and a 60-50 lead after three quarters.

The late third quarter foul would prove to hurt as that was Brock Anderson’s fourth personal foul, this would take him out due to the four foul threat. Will Daugherty’s effort through the third and fourth quarter couldn’t go unnoticed. The offensive rebounds and all out hustle that he gave, was impressive. A charge from Daugherty would hopefully lead to a change in momentum, but Madison did a good job coping with that. A fantastic and one layup from Quincy Ihnen would lead to it being an eight point game with 2 minutes to go. That was followed by the leading scorer of Aaron Fiegen getting his fifth foul and leading to more Oriole momentum. A momentum changing charge call wouldn’t go Lennox’s way as a fast break layup was called off.

With the big rivaled nature of both these teams, the teams, coaches and crowds became very hostile towards the officials. There were over twenty fouls on both teams in the game. Lennox’s last chance would slip when a layup didn’t fall and then Jadon Janke would make a driving layup to open Madison’s biggest lead of the game. They took a 74 to 58 lead with 29 seconds to go. Lennox’s chances had begin to fade as they trailed by 17 with only twenty seconds left. A late layup would make it 77 to 58. The final score ended up being 78 to 58. The final score by no means reflected the game closeness as it ended up a 20 point game but was much closer the whole way.

Lennox will travel to Canton on Monday to play their first road game and non-double header game of the season. Canton will be very equally matched to Lennox as they have quite the young team too. Canton has a win this season over Garretson but has fallen in both of their region games to Elk Point and Dakota Valley.