KENSAL, N.D. (NewsDakoa.com) – 2019 ended with two losses in a row for the Oakes Tornadoes, but 2020 has greeted them with open arms.

Oakes has won two district games in a row against Barnes County North and now Midkota after a 93-68 road victory in Kensal.

A quick 10-0 run opened the game up for the Tornadoes. Both teams pushed the pace making it a fast-paced, flowing first half in which the Tornadoes opened up a 14 point lead at the break. Oakes’ Steele Hansen scorched Midkota in the first half putting up 18 points.

The game would have gotten out of hand in the second half even earlier if not for a scintillating display from Midkota’s Jory Boote. The senior guard had just four points in the opening half but exploded for 24 second half points to keep the Mustangs relative.

Midkota pulled within 12 or 13 points a couple occasions in the 3rd and 4th quarters but no further.

Boote tied Hansen for a game high 28 points. Oakes finished with 10 players in the score column and four in double digits (Hansen, Meehl with 21, Biesterfeld with 13 and Muggli with 12).

Oakes travels to South Dakota on Thursday to take on Leola-Frederick at Frederick. JV starts at 6:30.