Yellow Jackets Win Fifth Consecutive Cedar Run District Championship
OP used a balanced attack on both sides of the ball to secure the victory.
The Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets hosted the Gainesville Cardinals for the Cedar Run District Championship this past Tuesday. Behind a fired up home crowd, the Yellow Jackets used a dominant performance on both sides of the ball to win their fifth straight district championship, 69-19.
OP would jump out to a quick 5-0 lead behind a steal and score from junior Key Rainey followed by a three-pointer from fellow junior Samia Snead. A basket by senior Cardinal Michaela Nemerow would make things 5-2 with 4:40 left in the first quarter.
The Yellow Jackets used a 14-0 run to end the first quarter with a 19-2 lead. Samia Snead hit three three-pointers in the opening quarter for the second game in a row.
The run would extend to 20-0 before Gainesville junior Madison Nicholson scored at the five minute mark with OP leading 25-4.
Osbourn Park would go on a 9-0 run before Cardinal junior center Peyton White’s first basket of the game made it 34-6. A Jayel West three-pointer with ten seconds left had the home team up 37-6 heading into the half.
The two teams would only combine for 14 points in the third quarter, but Osbourn Park used a 22 point fourth via six different scorers to seal the district championship.
Sophomore Payton Walters had another double-double, this time with 11 points, 11 rebounds (8 offensive), 5 steals and 3 assists.
“It’s great to see that we’re improving every year. We’re working hard in practice and it shows. We wanted to limit their second chances tonight,” said Walters.
I caught up with juniors Samia Snead and Key Rainey who combined for 26 of the team’s 69 points. They spoke to the team’s high expectations, with each being an integral part of the past three district championships.
“Keep making statements and building on what we had last year,” said Snead. “We’re playing the OP way.”
Rainey discussed the team’s focus despite outside chatter.
“There’s a lot of talk on the internet, so we just look to keep our composure.”
Lastly I caught up with head coach Chrissy Kelly who’s accumulated six Cedar Run District Championships since her arrival in 2018.
“It’s about them and the work they’ve put in this year. What this team did in the offseason and where they are now, it’s impressive. They grind every single day and I’m really proud of them. The hardest thing to get kids to do is bring a certain level of energy to practice and games while keeping them focused and engaged.
The leadership of my point guards Samia and Payton is why this team goes the way they do. I was a point guard so the effect on they have on this team goes a long way. There’s a lot of responsibility at the point.”
Kelly discussed the team’s defensive effort at holding Peyton White to 4 points.
“She’s so talented. But it shows how phenomenal AB (Alex Brown) is on defense. She’s our anchor. I’m proud of our defensive effort and how the standard didn’t drop off when we went to our bench. We still have a lot to figure out and get better at- and that’s a testament to Gainesville’s gameplan.”
Osbourn Park (20-3, 12-0) returns home Friday night in regional playoff action as they host the Stafford Indians (14-8, 9-5). Tip-off is at 6 pm.
For more on the girls basketball team, follow them on Instagram @OPHSWBB.
Game notes:
OP had three double-digit scorers: Rainey (14), Snead (12) and Walters (11).
The Yellow Jackets had 35 rebounds with 25 on the offensive glass.
Osbourn Park shot 24-63 (38%) and 9-30 (30%) from beyond the arc.
Gainesville’s 31 turnovers to OP’s 6 played a huge part in the score differential.
The Yellow Jackets were 12-19 (63%) at the free throw line.
Alex Brown had 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Tierney Myers had 7 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.