OUTLOOK - Four local basketball teams tore up the court in Outlook last week, signifying a special reunion of sorts between the rosters.
On Wednesday, January 15 at LCBI High School, two basketball games saw the senior boys and senior girls teams of both the LCBI Bisons/Lady Bisons and the neighboring Outlook Blues from Outlook High School square off.
The crosstown 'Outlook vs Outlook' games made for a return to the friendly rivalry, as it had been over a decade since the two schools saw each other matched in competition.
It also paid tribute to local basketball coaches from each school, recognizing longtime coaches Cliff Adelman of LCBI and Wayne Sandbeck of OHS, with the pair of games played on this day being called the 'Adelbeck', serving as a special cross-town bragging rights accomplishment.
First up was the senior boys contest, which made for one of the best and evenly-matched basketball games played on an Outlook court in some time. Both rosters played an impressive game and momentum switched back and forth between LCBI and OHS at multiple times throughout all four quarters, engaging the gathered local crowd in the stands.
Control of the ball and the scoreboard belonged to each team at different parts of the game, meaning that it was either team's game to lose right down to the last ten seconds. Finally, a last-moment swerve in LCBI's favor ultimately meant that the boy Bisons would leave the court victorious at a score of 64-61.
Next up was the senior girls' game, which saw the Lady Bisons command more of a lead over the Blues as the action progressed. Still, the Blues kept up the fight and forced LCBI to remain on their toes, but it wasn't much longer before the Lady Bisons took a substantial lead and managed to stay ahead. In the end, LCBI defeated OHS once again by a score of 61-42, making this special pair of games a double win for the Home of the Bisons.
The crosstown games played between both Outlook schools was a hit with both the crowd and the players, proving that the rivalry between the schools is still an interesting one after more than ten years apart.
With that in mind, both schools will do it all again on Wednesday, February 26 when Outlook High School will play host this time. First up will be the senior boys' game at 4:00 pm, followed by the girls action. But before the teams are back on the court against each other, the LCBI Bisons will host their annual Rick Johnson Classic boys tournament on January 31 & February 1.
