IDA – The Onsted boys basketball team turned in a tremendous defensive performance in perhaps their biggest game of the year Friday, Feb. 13, as the Wildcats defeated Ida 46-35.
With the victory Onsted clinched the team’s fifth straight Lenawee County Athletic Association (LCAA) conference title, a feat that no other team in league history has accomplished.
With the win, the Division 3 No. 8 ranked Onsted Wildcats improved to 18-2 overall on the year and 12-1 in the conference.
Things turned out to be a little shaky early for Onsted as Ida took the first quarter 13-10 for the early lead. That is when the vaunted Onsted defense locked in as the Wildcats held Ida to just two points in the second quarter. With the Onsted offense getting hot at just the right time it was the Wildcats outscoring Ida 13-2 to build a 23-15 lead at the half.
Onsted continued to build on their lead in the third quarter as the Wildcats once again held Ida in the single digits, outscoring the home team 13-9 to extend their lead to 36-24 after three full quarters.
Ida made a little noise late, outscoring Onsted 11-10 in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as Onsted took home the win and the conference crown 46-35.
Top Performers
Rylan Henagan, Onsted – Henagan once again led his team to victory, pouring in 19 points to go with four assists.
Mason Chesser, Onsted – Chesser also hit double figures for the Wildcats, adding 13 points for the championship effort
Cole Wells, Onsted- Wells finished his day with six points to help the Wildcats to the win
Bryson Sutherland, Onsted – Sutherland anchored the defensive effort for the Wildcats while dominating in the paint. Sutherland finished the day with five points, five rebounds, and five blocks.
With the dominant win, Onsted improves to 18-2 overall and will return to action Tuesday night when they take to the road to face Dundee.
Madison 54, Hillsdale 40
The Madison Trojan boys basketball team improved to 10-8 on the season Friday night, defeating Hillsdale 54-40.
Hillsdale held a slim lead early, leading Madison 9-7 after one quarter. Madison took control of the game with a huge second quarter which saw the Trojans outscore Hillsdale 15-7, building a 22-16 lead at the half.
The second half saw Madison pull away even more, outscoring Hillsdale 19-12 in the third quarter and 13-12 in the fourth quarter for the 54-40 win.
Top Performers
Eli Hiatt, Madison – Hiatt finished the night with big numbers in the win, scoring 17 points to go along with four rebounds and four steals.
Tayden Welch, Hillsdale – Welch was one of two Hornets in double figures, scoring 12 points in the loss
Derrell Tillman, Madison – Tillman also had a huge day for the Trojans, scoring 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and five steals
Riley Slabaugh, Hillsdale – Slabaugh also hit double figures for the Hornets, scoring 11 points in the loss.
Kason Snyder, Madison – Snyder had a solid all-around game for the Trojans, scoring eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
With the victory Madison improves to 10-8 overall on the season. The Trojans will return to action on Saturday when they play host to the Hudson Tigers.
Lenawee Christian 58, Ovid-Elsie 50
Lenawee Christian came roaring out of the gate Friday night, outscoring Ovid Elsie 15-9 in the first quarter led by the defending Division 4 Player of the Year Jaxon Salenbien who poured in 10 first quarter points.
The Cougars padded their lead ever so slightly in the second quarter, outscoring Ovid-Elsie 16-12 to lead 31-21 at the half.
The second half saw Lenawee Christian outscore Ovid Elsie by scores of 13-11 and 14-12 to find the final score of 58-50.
Top Performers
Jaxon Salenbien, Lenawee Christian – Salenbien could not be stopped Friday night, pouring in 26 points to lead all scorers in the win.
Travis Milner, Ovid-Elsie – Milner led Ovid Elsie in the tough loss, scoring 20 points.
Drew Kirkendall, Lenawee Christian – Kirkendall got off to a slow start Friday night but more than made up for it, scoring 13 points, which included a 4 for 4 effort at the free throw line.
Joie Fabus, Ovid-Elsie – Fabus finished second on his team with 16 big points after being shut out in the first quarter.
Dan Scrupsky, Lenawee Christian – Scrupsky continued his hot shooting form, hitting a trio of 3-pointers on the way to 11 points scored.
With the win Lenawee Christian improves to 13-7 overall on the season while Ovid-Elsie falls to 8-11. The Cougars will finish out their regular season schedule next Thursday with a visit to Hanover Horton.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Onsted boys basketball wraps up fifth straight LCAA conference crown
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
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