Eagles seek to translate seasoned leadership into continued victories

Under the steady guidance of 15th-year head coach Joe Shoemaker, Oran is ready to continue their legacy of excellence on the basketball court.

Coming off a respectable 16-11 campaign last season and extending their streak of consecutive winning seasons to 14, the Eagles are determined to reach even greater heights this year.

Shoemaker’s belief in his players and his focus on developing them into the best versions of themselves have been instrumental in the team’s sustained success. This season, the team is excited to show its growth and demonstrate its commitment to the Oran basketball tradition.

”We will look to play a little faster this year,” Shoemaker said. “We want to improve every day, and compete at everything we do and have fun.”

The Eagles’ true strength lies not just in their talents but in their ability to function as a cohesive unit, driven by their deep-seated camaraderie and commitment to one another’s success.

The Eagles return two key starters from last year’s squad, each bringing a unique set of skills to the table. Senior Nolan Loper, a shifty 5-foot-9-inch guard, is known for his quickness and fearless drives to the basket. His ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates will be a crucial asset this season.

Alongside Loper is 5-foot-11-inch senior swingman Elijah Shoemaker, who inherits his father’s coaching pedigree and possesses a natural knack for the game. Shoemaker’s consistent shooting touch and high basketball IQ make him a versatile threat on both ends of the court.

With Loper’s quickness and penetration and Shoemaker’s shooting and basketball IQ, the Eagles have a solid foundation to build upon as they aim to continue their winning tradition.

Oran’s depth is bolstered by a group of seasoned seniors eager to make their mark. Senior guards Branden Campbell (5-9) and Cooper Senciboy (5-9) bring additional ball-handling and shooting expertise, while senior wing Gabe Drinberger (6-2) provides versatility and athleticism. In the paint, senior post player Nate Pobst (5-10) anchors the defense and contributes to rebounding and interior scoring, while senior guards Owen Forehand (5-9) and Coltin Karr (5-11) add depth and experience to the backcourt.

The Eagles’ junior class is also poised to make significant contributions this season. Junior post player Carson Kern (6-1) brings a strong physical presence and rebounding prowess to the paint, while junior post player Gideon Davis (6-0) provides additional interior scoring and defensive tenacity. Junior guards Kole Burger (5-9) and Parker Bryant (5-10) add depth and versatility to the backcourt, offering ball-handling, shooting, and passing skills. These juniors, all moving up from the junior varsity team, are eager to prove themselves on the varsity stage and contribute to the team’s continued success.

Oran received the No. 4 and will start its season by hosting the 68th Annual Oran Invitational Tournament. The Eagles will face fifth-seeded Bell City at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28.