Heading into Friday’s game against Forest Hills Northern, the freshman basketball team had strung together a few wins in a row and looked like the team to beat in the OK White Conference, suffocating defense and high motors all over the court make the Rangers a difficult team to beat.

“We have played well recently, and I think that is due to the hard defense we play,” Brendan Cargill said. “We force turnovers and then run in transition to get easy baskets.”

The bigger question was could the Rangers slow down a high-powered Forest Hills Northern offense. In its last meeting, Central narrowly won by a score of 55-52. This meeting got out to a much different start. The Rangers were streaky to start the game, with Brendan Cargill and Tyler Dickinson each knocking down a three-ball. Bradenton Rozema and Denis Medic made their presence felt with multiple baskets around the rim. With the help of a flowing offense, FHC got out to an early lead and scored 21 first-quarter points. By halftime, the Huskies closed the gap by playing better defense. Forest Hills Central only scored 11 points that quarter but maintained the lead heading into the break. The Rangers dismantled the Huskies in the third quarter through the free-throw line and the three-point shot. FHC then went on to score 26 points in the third quarter—a team-high for points in a quarter. The Rangers slowed the pace in the fourth quarter and won soundly, 71-51. 

Tyler Dickinson led all scorers in the game with 14 points, with Brendan Cargill scoring 11 points. The Ranger bigs dominated in the low post and proved why no team could match their size and strength in the paint. Braedon Rozema was unguardable with nine points, Malik Thomas and Seder Middaugh added eight and six points, and Denis Medic went 8-8 from the free-throw line scoring 10 points. 

After the crucial rivalry win, the Rangers improve to 11-2 on the season and continue to fight for the conference champion crown. They face a team they haven’t played all year in the Northview Wildcats in their next game. The Rangers will look to continue their dominant season and reach their goal of winning the conference.