Oran boys basketball team disappointed but hopeful for future

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- It was just close enough to give you hope.

That's what Oran boys basketball coach Joe Shoemaker said about what turned out to be the final shot of his team's season.

An advantageous bounce off a missed Iberia free throw with 2.3 seconds left allowed sophomore Jacob Priggel to gain possession of the ball near midcourt.

The Eagles trailed by two when Priggel unleashed a shot from just inside the half-court line.

"When he was starting to shoot the free throw I really didn't think the ball was going to come to me," Priggel said. "I thought we were just going to have a heave at the end, but it bounced back to halfcourt. I just looked at the clock and saw it was down, so I just really threw it across my body. I didn't think it was close at the beginning.

Oran senior Alex Heuring bows his head after he and his teammates received their fourth-place medals Friday at the Class 2 final four in Columbia, Mo. The Eagles lost 65-63 to Iberia in the third-place game. (Laura Simon)

But it was close -- painfully so.

The ball hit the rim then hit it again as it rattled around.

"It went in just enough to kind of give you hope thinking that it might go down," Shoemaker said. "Then it bounced back out. That's the way it goes."

The buzzer sounded as the ball fell to the ground, sealing a 65-63 win for Iberia and a fourth place finish in Class 2 for Oran on Friday at Mizzou Arena.

"Obviously we didn't get the outcome we wanted today up here, but that's not because of lack of effort from these guys up here," said Shoemaker after the game with seniors Alex Heuring and Kody Moore sitting on either side of him. "We battled our butts off to get here, and they battled the entire time here. A couple things just didn't bounce our way. I'm very proud of these two seniors and the season that they've led us on. The experiences that they'll cherish -- both these basketball games -- as they mature into young men."

Shoemaker later pointed out that Moore and Heuring have been a part of teams that did "a lot that has not been accomplished in Oran basketball," including winning three consecutive district championships for the first time in school history and advancing to just the school's second final four in basketball.

"It makes you feel like you really accomplished a lot with all the hard work you put in throughout the season -- winning districts and getting to sectionals," Moore said. "Quarterfinals is definitely a big feat for us -- winning quarterfinals after losing last year and just making it here, getting to play on the big floor. Getting the opportunity to get a state championship. That's what it's all about. Overall it was a successful season."

The Eagles keep putting themselves close enough to state titles to hope, which results in both pain and pride.

"We were definitely the underdog coming into the season, and nobody expected us to get here," Heuring said. "I mean, it hurts right now, but it'll feel good later."

In addition to a quarterfinal and final four appearance in basketball Oran has been to back-to-back baseball final fours with much of the same cast. Even without a state title, they likely are the most decorated athletes in school history.

Moore remarked after Thursday's semifinal loss that he was "used to" the feeling of losing a state semifinal.

"I wouldn't say it's easier at all. It's just as bad as I remember it from baseball, but I mean I've felt it before," Moore said. "It's not that first-time shock or nothing, so that does help you get over it a little bit. It's definitely not any easier."

Heuring, Moore and Priggel were all dejected but not outwardly devastated or emotional following Friday's loss thanks to a mix of experience and perspective.

"I don't know when it'll hit me, but it hasn't really set in yet," said Heuring about playing his final high school basketball game. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out. Not many teams and players get to play on this floor with the whole environment. This is the way to go out, I guess. Yeah, we didn't win, but we did have a great year."

While Moore, Heuring and Alex Schlitt played in their final game Friday, the rest of the team will return next season.

"They're returning at least four scorers and they've got some talent on the bench," Heuring said. "Just work hard. They can get back here. They're a great team, great relationship. If they just work hard, they'll get back here."

Moore said it would be great to be remembered as a member of a basketball final four team, but better to be remembered for setting an example.

"It means a lot," he said. "I hope they remember as well because we started a trend for Oran basketball. I hope they keep coming back up here."

In other words, he hopes he and his teammates have come close enough to give others hope.