Image Source: Ben Schultz, Oshkosh Northwestern
Key Takeaways
- Oshkosh West girls’ basketball team defeated Oshkosh North 67-39, marking their 13th straight win against their crosstown rivals.
- Oshkosh North boys’ basketball team won against Oshkosh West 76-44, with three players scoring over 10 points.
- Kamryn Stauffacher led the Oshkosh West girls’ team with 18 points, a season high, while Bryce Ott led the Oshkosh North boys’ team with 18 points.
- Turnovers were a significant factor in the girls’ game, with Oshkosh North committing 10 turnovers in the first half.
- The boys’ game featured a strong team effort from Oshkosh North, with nine players scoring and a balanced offense.
Introduction to the Rivalry
The crosstown rivalry between Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West was on full display on January 14, 2026, as the two schools faced off in both boys’ and girls’ basketball. The girls’ team from Oshkosh West emerged victorious, winning 67-39 and improving their record to 7-7. As Oshkosh West girls’ basketball coach Kenisha Goss noted, "I think we played really good team basketball. We gave up a lot of good shots for some great shots. We actually shot the ball really well which helps too. So I think we played really good team basketball." The win marked the 13th straight victory for Oshkosh West against their crosstown rivals, according to MaxPreps.
Girls’ Game Highlights
The girls’ game was highlighted by the strong performance of Oshkosh West sophomore Kamryn Stauffacher, who finished with a game-high 18 points. Stauffacher’s big first half, in which she scored 12 points, set the tone for the rest of the game. As Coach Goss noted, "It’s huge for her. We wanted her to get in the scoring column for the last few games and we just need her to build her confidence. We knew this game would probably be where she comes out because last year she had a really big game against them." The 18 points marked a season high for Stauffacher, topping her previous high of 13 points against Appleton West and Wausau West.
Turnovers and Defense
Turnovers were a significant factor in the girls’ game, with Oshkosh North committing 10 turnovers in the first half compared to Oshkosh West’s eight. Oshkosh West thrived on making things difficult for Oshkosh North’s offense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them. As Coach Goss noted, "That’s kind of the way we have to play. Sometimes our shooting isn’t there so we really rely on our defense to allow us to get some extra shots on offense which has kept us in games lately." Oshkosh North coach Rick Leib saw the turnovers as an opportunity for his younger team to learn and grow, stating "I think sometimes with youth and inexperience we don’t identify that quick enough with some of the things and I think that’s where the turnovers come in. I think if we can learn from this experience, then youth and inexperience will no longer be an excuse."
Boys’ Game Highlights
The boys’ game played out similarly, with Oshkosh North coming out on top 76-44. The game featured a strong team effort from Oshkosh North, with nine players scoring and a balanced offense. As Oshkosh North boys’ basketball coach Brad Weber noted, "This team works extremely hard and tonight was another night. I think when you have a cross-town rivalry like this it’s easy to get caught up in the games within the games and I thought we did a nice job of just doing what we do and that’s going out, working hard and playing for each other." The win marked an important conference victory for Oshkosh North, who are fighting to climb the standings in the Fox Valley Association.
Rivalry and Conference Implications
The boys’ game featured two teams fighting to climb the standings within the Fox Valley Association. Heading into the game, Oshkosh North sat in fifth while Oshkosh West was in sixth. As Coach Weber noted, "This is a tough, tough conference. I love these city rivalry games because of the crowd. It’s pretty cool for these kids who’ve grown up with each other, they play on the weekends at the Y(MCA) with each other. It’s great for the community to come out and see quality basketball." The win marked an important step forward for Oshkosh North, who have lost three of their four games by four or fewer points.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the crosstown rivalry between Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West was on full display on January 14, 2026, with the girls’ team from Oshkosh West emerging victorious and the boys’ team from Oshkosh North winning. The games featured strong performances from Kamryn Stauffacher and Bryce Ott, as well as a balanced team effort from Oshkosh North. As the season continues, both teams will look to build on their performances and make a push for the top of the standings in the Fox Valley Association.
https://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2026/01/14/takeaways-from-oshkosh-west-vs-oshkosh-north-girls-and-boys-basketball/88101166007/
