Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

ROSSVILLE - Dustin Oakley wants his Western Boone basketball team to play with toughness and grit. And even when they didn't play great for periods of time on Saturday night in their season opener against Rossville, they displayed those traits when they needed to, and came away with a 47-43 come-from-behind win. "It feels really good and I am really proud of our guys," Oakley said. "It was a tough first half and a really bad second quarter for us. I ripped into them a little bit at halftime about what we think Western Boone basketball is about - being really good, tough athletes. The way we responded and the way we had kids step up, was great." The Stars were tied 14-14 after a quarter, but were out-scored 15-5 in the second. Even picking it up in the third quarter, the Stars still found themselves down 39-31 to start the fourth quarter. The Stars used a 10-2 run to tie the game, and out-scored the host Hornets 16-4 in the final eight minutes to come away with the win. "We figured out some things and really just sat down and guarded," Oakley said. "We kept the ball in front, didn't give up easy drives and contested their outside shots. They really hurt Delphi in their first game with the three-point shot so we had to chance it up. We went to a 2-1-2 press and I felt like it brought our energy level up. We turned some turnovers and bad shots into points for us." Philip Talbott led the Stars with 13 points, with Marcus Fortner added 11. Talbott didn't play basketball last year, but gave the Stars a big boost in the second half. "He is a great athlete," Oakley said. "He wanted to come back out, and he came to all our summer stuff which shows he is committed. I thought he proved himself through football. He was amazing for our football team this year, and he is another athlete we need. When he got his opportunity in the second half he stepped up and hit some shots. He had an amazing game." It was the third-straight season the Stars have won the season opener. With so many players playing significant varsity minutes for the first time, Oakley said starting the season off on the right foot was a big from a mindset standpoint. "We lacked a little confidence early, but these kids are winners," Oakley said. "They are really good kids and I love to be around and my coaches love to be around. They want to win and grow our culture. It says a lot to go to Rossville and win. It wasn't a pretty win, but our program needs wins and that's all I am worried about." Next up for the Stars is in the Sagamore Conference opener with Tri-West on Friday. The Bruins are 1-1 in the early season. "Rossville wants to get out in transition, and Tri-West is even better," Oakley saod. "They want to run, they move the ball well and are great athletes. We have to get back in transition, keep the ball in front and have to rebound better." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems