Woodbridge Loses Season Finale to Osbourn Park, 65-67

On Senior Night, Osbourn Park's two seniors carried the team against a feisty Woodbridge Vikings squad. Both teams were riding at least a 5 game losing streak, and were hoping to end the season on a high note. 

With the normally starting Smith Brothers inactive due to injury, Osbourn Park's bench was very thin and even featured some members of the JV squad. Because of this, Coach Lake didn't put a substitute in until mid-way through the second quarter. Meanwhile, Woodbridge's coach Chad Anderson cycled in all 9 of his active players on a regular basis almost like line-mates in hockey.

The first half featured an epic duel between shooters on each team. Both Darius Parson for Woodbridge and Hunter Lake for Osbourn Park connected on four three-pointers in the half, trading blows with one another in an attempt to gain the lead. Lake was more of the conservative spot-up shooter, hiding in the corners and waiting for a great pass to let one fly. Parson on the other hand was determined to make his shots usually pulling the trigger when realizing the defense was playing a little too off on him. Osbourn Park went into the half with a 30-25 lead.

The game turned on the Yellow Jackets when leading scorer and rebounder, Brandon Jenkins, began getting into foul trouble late in the third quarter. With Jenkins on the bench for the start of the fourth quarter with four fouls, Woodbridge took advantage of this and began going on a run that ultimately gave them a 53-50 lead.

Coach Lake had seen enough and risked Jenkins fouling out and put him back in with 5:14 remaining in the game. The very next Jacket possession, Jenkins converted a three-point play to tie the game. 

Jenkins was still limited with his four fouls and wasn't able to be as tenacious on the defensive end as he's used to. Because of this, Woodbridge continued to work the ball inside with the paint wide open to stay in the game. Even with four fouls, that didn't stop Jenkins from drawing a game changing charging foul with just over a minute to go to keep it a one possession game.

Woodbridge took a 65-63 lead with just over 10 seconds left. Osbourn Park guard Justin Carolina pushed the ball up court and drove into the lane and was fouled with 9.2 seconds remaining. Carolina made both clutch free throws to tie the game. What happened next was something you would only see in the movies.

Woodbridge took the ball and tried to pass to mid-court to Parson with around five seconds left. Just then, senior Brandon Jenkins, playing in his last game of his high school career, jumped into the passing lane and stole the ball. Jenkins made a mad dash to the basket and laid the ball with no time remaining. Osbourn Park won 67-65.

Jenkins led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding in 4 assists. Hunter Lake, the other senior on the team, added in 12 points, all coming from behind the arc. Justin Carolina ended the game with 15 points and an impressive 8 rebounds for his guard size. Neil Rosenberg added 8 points and Anthony Matteks had 5 assists.

As for the Vikings, Parson led the team with 23 points, including 5 from long range and a fast-break dunk in the 2nd quarter. Corey Taylor had a solid game with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Barba Kargbo contributed as well with 13 points and 4 rebounds. Add it all up and it was a thrilling 67-65 win for Osbourn Park to end the season for both teams.