Bison triumph over Onalaska, fall to C’ville

BHS’ (#5) Micah Burnside-Jones posts up over CHS’ defender (#3) Michael Gwosdz. Van’Go’photo VS CENTERVILLE

The fourth meeting between the Buffalo Bison and Centerville Tigers was a roller coaster ride of a game, with many lead changes, long runs by each team and wild swings in the momentum of the contest and the emotions of the fans packed into the BHS gym. It was by far the closet the Bison have come to upsetting the Tigers, but when the screams died away it was the CHS fans who were still grinning from the ride.

Jordan Canady put Buffalo on the scoreboard first with a big three-pointer that stated the senior play-maker's intentions -- and Canady stayed hot, knocking down 12 first-quarter points. The Tigers had come to play, too. Jonathan Cloud led their effort with 9 points in the period. The lead changed hands several times, with BHS on top 16-15 after one.

Early in the second period the Tigers recaptured the lead on a 3-pointer by Michael Gwosdz and CHS then strung together an 8-point run before Canady answered for the Bison with another trey. BHS then went on a run of their own, knotting things at 29-all with a bucket by Saxton Sims. At halftime the Tigers led by two, 31-29.

The third quarter was the stuff dreams are made of for junior Ryan Read. Working off of big steals by Aaron Bell, Read poured in two three-pointers to put the Bison back on top, then continued his shooting spree with three more treys -- FIVE three-pointers in a row that catapulted the Bison to an eleven-point lead (48-37) going into the fi- nal quarter.

Then, in the fourth, the wheels came off abruptly. Momentum shifted back to the Tigers' camp and the Bison could not get a break. Clay Hardee led the Tigers' comback effort and they regained the lead, 57- 55 with 19 ticks left on the clock, and were able to hold off the Bison's desperate final efforts. Gwosdz's last two free throws put the game away and Hardee's charity shot drove the last nail in the coffin. CHS won the contest 61-55.

Canady led the Bison with 23 and Read contributed 16. Sims and Micah Burnside- Jones added 6 each. Bell scored 4 points and had six big steals.

Cloud had a huge night and led the Tiger scoring with 25, followed by Hardee's 19. Gwosdz was held to 8, Jamal High added 5 and Ryan Payne knocked down a three-pointer. Hardee led in rebounds with 14, followed by Cloud with 9.

ONALASKA

Buffalo fans who made the long drive to Onalaska were rewarded with a big win by the Bison men. Onalaska got the tip and the first bucket, but after the opening moments BHS took control of the contest and never looked back. The score was 24-10 after one quarter, 35-24 at halftime, 56-38 after three and 70-52 at the final buzzer.

Three Bison seniors were in double figures for the night: Canady led with 21, Aaron Bell had 18 and Burnside-Jones with 10. Hartley and Sims followed with 8 and 7, respectively. Finishing out the scoring for BHS were Casey Helfenbein with 2, and Logan Beard, Cain Hayes and Curtis Yates with one apiece.

As the district race is coming down to the wire, the Bison are in third place behind New Waverly and Centerville. BHS has the same record as Onalaska, but having beaten them twice, BHS gains the tie-breaker. They have beaten Corrigan- Camden, but will play them again next Tuesday. According to Head Coach Warren Ringland, “There are still six games left, so anything can happen. We need to win both games this week.”

This week’s contests include Groveton at Groveton on Tuesday, and Anderson- Shiro at Buffalo on Friday.