The varsity boys basketball team brought a district championship back to OHS for the first time in 11 years on Tuesday night (March 2). The Tigers won the Class 6 District 2 championship with a 57-49 win over the Fox Warriors. 

This championship means they advance to the sectional round as they continue their state championship prowl. OHS will face either Poplar Bluff or Jackson next Tuesday (March 9) at a place and time to be determined.

This district title is the first championship win since 2010. Last year, the Tigers made it to the district championship game, but lost.

”Last year hurt a lot, but we came out, worked harder, and had better players this year,” said guard Matt Keller (12).

“It felt really good to make that jump this year,” Quinn Ricker (12) added.

At halftime of Tuesday’s game, the Tigers led by 16 with a 30-14 advantage. After the third the Tigers had a large lead, but during the fourth quarter the Warriors didn’t give up and fought till the score was within six points. Even with the added pressure, however, the Tigers pulled through and wound up with an eight-point win.

“For these boys, this win is proof that hard work in the off season creates success when it matters,” said head coach Nick Traxler.

Tuesday’s win improved the team’s record to 13-12.

”At the end we were obviously happy,” Keller said, “but we have more to go.”