ONSTED – Onsted basketball coach Brad Maska was honored Friday night before his Wildcats tipped off against rival Hillsdale after reaching a coaching milestone that few coaches even dream of achieving.
Last week, Maska coached his team to what seemed like an innocuous 53-48 win over Columbia Central, on the road no doubt. But in reality, the win was much more than the team’s ninth win of the season, no, it had much more significance than that. With that five-point victory Maska joined a very select club with his 300th career win, reaching a career milestone very few coaches ever come near.
In 2021 Maska surpassed the 200-win mark and has since used his trademark intensity and focus to lead the Wildcats to soaring heights, places that include four straight LCAA championships, just one of three teams to ever accomplish this feat. Over the past four years, coming into 2025, the Wildcats boast an impressive conference record of 53-3, a feat no other coach has been able to achieve in any four-year stretch.
Over his 18 years at the helm of Onsted basketball Maska has earned All County Coach of the Year two times while also earning the award for Regional Coach of the Year in 2022. Thanks to his tutelage, two Wildcats have found themselves in the running for the coveted Mr. Basketball award despite being one of the smaller schools in Division 2.
Friday night Maska did it yet again, leading his Wildcats to their 11th win of the season, rolling to a 63-41 win over Hillsdale, improving to 11-0 on the season and giving Maska 302 career victories.
What Happened?
The senior trio of Mason Cheeser, Cole Wells, and Rylan Henagan dominated from the word go, with all three players hitting double figures.
Onsted took control early, outscoring Hillsdale 17-13 in the first quarter and 12-10 in the second to build a 29-23 lead at the break. It was the third quarter that broke things open as Onsted outscored Hillsdale 15-2, extending the lead to 44-25. Onsted put the win away with a 19-16 fourth quarter, finding the final score of 63-41.
Top Performers
Cole Wells, Onsted – Wells had a huge night as the senior just missed notching a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and eight steals.
Thayden Welch, Hillsdale – Welch led the Hornets in scoring with 12 points, the only Hillsdale player in double-figures.
Mason Cheeser, Onsted – Cheeser added a dominant double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in Onsted’s win.
Rylan Henagan, Onsted – Henagan also hit double figures, pouring in 13 points to help lead the team to victory
What’s Next?
Onsted improves to an impressive 11-0 on the year with the victory and will look to keep the momentum going on Tuesday when they host Dundee for more LCAA action.
Hillsdale meanwhile falls to 5-5 on the season and will be back in action Tuesday when they host Clinton.
Adrian 57, Tecumseh 43
The Adrian Maples pulled away from Tecumseh late on Friday night, taking the 57-43 Lenawee County boys basketball clash.
Top Performers
Jaxson Francis, Adrian – Francis led the Adrian effort with a team high 18 points to go along with five steals. Francis finished 8 for 11 from the free throw line in the win.
Zeke Schmidt, Tecumseh – Schmidt notched a tough double figures on Friday, scoring 15 points in the Tecumseh effort.
Calvin Polley, Adrian – Polley notched double figures in the win over Tecumseh, scoring 13 points to go along with seven rebounds.
Lamar Longabaughs, Tecumseh – Finished in double figures with 10 points to help the Indians effort.
Lamont McKinney, Adrian – McKinney stuffed the stat box Friday night, scoring six points to go along with six rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
Gabe Abbott, Tecumseh – Abbott just missed double figures Friday night, pouring in eight points.
Landunn Branch, Adrian – Branch had a solid all-around game, pouring in seven points to go with six rebounds
What’s Next?
With the win Adrian improves to 8-2 overall on the season and 2-2 in the SEC conference. The Maples will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to Pinckney.
Madison 44, Dundee 38
Friday night’s varsity boys contest was simply a feeling out process in the early going, with Madison holding a slim 18-17 lead at the half. Madison turned things on in the third quarter however, outscoring Dundee 13-9 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 31-26. Dundee made things interesting late however Madison held on, outscoring Dundee 13-12 to finish the day, giving Madison the 44-38 win.
Top Performers
Jr Tillman, Madison – Tillman finished the day with 12 points and four steals in the victory.
Wyatt Hickey, Dundee – Hickey finished with a team leading 14 points
Gavin VanOver, Madison – VanOver was a force both in the scoring department and on the boards, scoring 12 points to go with 8 rebounds
Luke Bishop, Dundee – Bishop was one of two Dundee players to reach double figures, scoring 11 points in the loss.
Eli Hiatt, Madison – Hiatt also hit double digits for the Trojans, scoring 11 points to go with five steals in the win.
Brian Dopp, Madison – Dopp finished the day with five rebounds and five assists.
What’s Next?
With the win Madison improves to 3-5 on the season while Dundee falls to 3-7.
Dundee will return to action Tuesday when they head to Onsted while Madison will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday at Blissfield.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Onsted basketball coach Brad Maska notches career win No. 300
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
