The Okeechobee Brahman varsity basketball team held their senior night for the last game of their regular season on Feb. 8 against the Berean Christian Bulldogs.

The team recognized six seniors who will be leaving the team after this year, including Jemal Davis, Jalen Pryor, J-Quan Ferrol, Lucas Osceola, Kimani McIntosh and Ky’Ode Walters.

The Brahmans put on quite the show for friends and family who came out to show support for the seniors on the team at the OHS gym, crushing Berean Christian 67-26 in front of the packed home crowd. By the end of the first quarter, Okeechobee was already up 17-2 against the hapless Bulldogs. Through the first and second quarters, Okeechobee went on an impressive 23-2 run against Berean.

In the victory, Jemal Davis had 11 points and eight rebounds, Ky’Ode Walters had seven points and two steals, and Lucas Osceola led the team defensively with five steals.

Juniors Silas Madrigal and De’Nitrik Whittaker made the most of their playing time in the blowout, Madrigal notching 12 points against the Bulldog defense while Whittaker had three steals.

The victory brought Okeechobee to 20-4 for their 2018-19 season.

 



With the regular season in the rearview, the Brahmans turned their attention to the district playoffs. First up for Okeechobee were the Heritage Panthers in the district quarterfinal on Feb. 13.

Okeechobee had already beaten Heritage 73-53 during the regular season back on Dec. 14, thanks in part to a monster fourth-quarter performance that saw the Brahmans outscore the Panthers 25-7. Heritage came into the playoff game with a 9-15 record.

The playoff match would prove to be an even bigger lopsided victory for the Brahmans as they dominated Heritage 70-33 and earned the right to move on to the district semifinal.

OHS senior Kimani McIntosh led the Brahmans in scoring in the playoff game with 18 points, followed by J-Quan Ferrol with 14 and Jemal Davis with 11.

The Brahmans are now scheduled to face the 17-9 Bayside Bears in the district semifinal on Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at South Fork High School.

The Bears were able to get the best of Okeechobee during their regular-season meeting back on Jan. 16. Bayside had control for much of the game, winning 60-48 thanks in part to a 17-point performance from Bayside senior Brody Boyer. Boyer also led the team in rebounds with 12 during the game.

If Okeechobee can get past the district semifinal, they’ll face either Sebastian River or Jensen Beach in the district championship on Feb. 16.

The Brahmans have beaten both teams during the regular season, winning 56-50 against Sebastian River and 50-45 against Jensen Beach.