(Harlan, IA) — Mitch Osborn is coaching his final season with the Harlan Cyclones boys basketball team and his team does not want him to go into retirement just yet — Harlan visits Glenwood in a Class 3A Substate 1 first round game on tonight, coverage on KSOM.
Twice during the regular season the game was close, Glenwood beat Harlan on January 14 59-56 while the Rams ran past the Cyclones back in December 74-67. In the first meeting, Ayden Gibson dominated the game especially in the 4th quarter after missing a chunk of the game with foul trouble and erupted for 33 points to bring the Rams back in Harlan. The second time around, Gibson was held to just 12 but Drew Schroeder stepped up and poured in 24 to lead the Rams. For Harlan, Kobe Klaassen was held in check in the 2nd game with only 8 points while he had 22 the first time around. Osborn says they will need both Klaassen and Dallas McDowell on the same page
In both games, Harlan outrebounded Glenwood so that might not be a factor. Harlan has had a problem with turnovers this year averaging 12 per game but against Glenwood, the Cyclones had just 8 in the first game but had 13 in the second meeting. Shooting was pretty equal — Harlan outshot Glenwood slightly in the 2nd game, the Rams outshot the Cyclones slightly the first time around. The Cyclones did not have some key players play and perform this season against the Rams
It comes down to situational basketball — who will make the plays when it counts. Dallas McDowell leads Harlan with 17.5 ppg while Klaassen is next at 13.3 and Jozef Reisz averages 11.4 ppg — the Cyclones will need all three to contribute. While Gibson leads Glenwood at 19.0 ppg and 8.1 rbg, the Rams supporting cast is underrated with Drew Schroeder (10.5 ppg), Jack Johnson (10.3) and Colin Steele (7.9) but Osborn does not underrate them
Regardless of who wins, at some point the incredible career of Mitch Osborn will end in the these playoffs. This is Osborn’s 41st year on the sidelines that also included stints at Elk Horn-Kimballton and Pomeroy-Palmer. Going into tonight’s game, Osborn ranks 3rd all time in wins in Iowa state history with 770 and is tied with Steve Bergman for the most state tournament appearances (19) ever. He has won two state titles (2004 and 2006) and four runners up (1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013) with Harlan and won a state title with Pomeroy Palmer in 1994.
Harlan (9-12) visits Glenwood (18-4) in the Class 3A Substate playoffs, game time 7 pm, coverage on KSOM.
