Cardinal boys win another big one in dramatic fashion
The Onaway High School varsity boys’ basketball team remained perfect in the Ski Valley Conference Tuesday when it defeated visiting Forest Area, 60-56. The win improved the Cardinals’ record to 7-1 (6-0 SVC).
A week earlier, OHS had to overcome a large halftime deficit to defeat a talented Mancelona squad by three. Tuesday, Onaway had to do the same to defeat a talented Warrior squad by four.
Joe O’Bradovich was huge for the Cardinals, scoring 16 of his team’s final 17 points to finish with 30 on the night to go with eight rebounds and two steals. O’Bradovich simply wouldn’t allow his team to lose.
And it wasn’t easy, as Warrior senior Justin Burke scored 28 points and hit three huge, long threes down the stretch. Both O’Bradovich and Burke threw down dunks and both dominated.
O’Bradovich’s dunk almost proved costly, however. Onaway led 18-14 after one period, stretching that to 20-14 when the Cardinal senior threw down just seconds into period two.
O’Bradovich cut his finger on the play, though, and missed almost the entire second quarter attempting to get the bleeding to stop so he could return to the court.
Forest Area took advantage, finishing the quarter on an 18-3 run – capped by Burke’s dunk – to take a 32-23 lead into the half. When Burke scored to open the third quarter, putting his team up by 11, it looked like the Cards were doomed.
The Warriors led by nine, 37-28, midway through quarter three when Burke picked up his third foul and came out of the game. This time Onaway took advantage.
Chris Cleaver scored inside, Joe Sigsby scored on a drive, Cody Morell knocked down a three, and Pat Dunn hit two free throws, completing a 9-0 run that tied things at 39 before Burke returned to the floor.
Onaway trailed 41-39 heading into the final frame. Things were tied at 43 when O’Bradovich took over. The senior scored, was fouled, and hit the free throw, then scored on an offensive board to put OHS up 48-43.
Burke drilled back-to-back threes from well behind the arc, and Austin Vance (who had 18 points in the loss) scored on a drive to put Forest Area back up, 51-48, but O’Bradovich was just getting started.
After he and Burke traded baskets, O’Bradovich nailed a three to tie things. He then put in another offensive rebound, and scored on a drive to the hoop to turn the three-point deficit into a 57-53 lead.
Cleaver split a pair of foul shots to increase the lead to 58-53, but Burke knocked down another long three to cut the gap to 58-56 with 37 seconds remaining.
O’Bradovich would respond with a jumper with seven seconds left, sending a large home crowd into pandemonium. Onaway then forced a turnover and ran out the clock, to the great delight of that crowd.
Cleaver finished with eight points for the Cardinals, while Sigsby had six points and eight boards. Carlos Bautista had a quiet offensive night with just four points, but grabbed 10 boards and had three steals, including the one that ended things.
Earlier in the evening, the OHS JV improved to 4-4 with a 50-31 win over Forest Area. The Cards led 13-11 after one period, 31-17 at the half, and 42-23 through three frames.
Derek Wregglesworth led the way with 17 points. Bradley Brewbaker scored 14 points and Morgan McLean scored 11 for the Cardinals. Paul Korn scored 14 points for the Warriors.
Last Friday, t
O’Bradovich scored all 28 of his points in the first three quarters. Bautista scored 13 points, Dunn scored 10, and Cleaver scored six. Will Seldon had 11 points to pace Pellston.
Earlier in the evening, the JV easily defeated Pellston, 60-13. Onaway led 23-4 after one period, 36-7 at the half, and 55-9 through three frames. McLean scored 18 points, Wregglesworth had 17, and Brewbaker had eight.
The boys’ basketball teams were scheduled to travel to Bellaire yesterday (Thursday) and will travel to Joburg on Wednesday. The next home game is scheduled February 5 against Central Lake.