ONEIDA | For a second consecutive season, Oneida and Oliver Springs will meet in the District 3-A championship game on Tuesday, after both teams picked up lopsided wins in the district semifinals at OHS Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Approximately 90 minutes before the Bobcats put the finishing touches on a win over rival Coalfield, the Indians were finishing up their work against their own rival, defeating Wartburg 84-50.
Oneida jumped out to a commanding lead after the first quarter, leading the Bulldogs 24-7. But the second quarter was played evenly, as Wartburg managed to put up 22 points and trailed 45-29 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Oneida kick its offense into high gear, however, as the Indians put up 32 points to build a commanding lead going into the fourth quarter.
Oneida would eventually lead by as much as 39 points midway through the final period, and won by 34 points despite not scoring a field goal for the final five minutes of the game.
Wartburg never led in Friday’s game, as the Indians dominated from start to finish.
Oneida shot 56% from the field, while limiting Wartburg to 30%. The Indians flat-out dominated on the glass, out-rebounding Wartburg 51 to 16.
As a result, two players finished with double-doubles. Zeb Spradlin had 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Gavin Keeton had the best game of his high school career, with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Five different Oneida players finished in double figures. Mason Keeton scored 16 points, Hayden Brawner scored 14 and Grady Keeton finished with 12.
Ian Robinson scored 11 points to lead the Bulldogs.
The win sends Oneida back to the district championship game to face Oliver Springs. A year ago, the Bobcats upset the Indians in the district title game at Wartburg, after Oneida had won the regular season district championship. A major difference, though: Oliver Springs defeated the Indians in the final game of the regular season last year. This year, Oneida was unbeaten in district play in the regular season.
Tuesday’s game will tip off at 8pm.
ONEIDA (84): Spradlin 19, M. Keeton 16, Brawner 14, Ga. Keeton 13, Gr. Keeton 12, Huling 5, Rector 3, Bell 2.
WARTBURG (50): Robinson 11, Quinney 9, Blalock 6, Crouch 6, Goode 5, Swint 4, Wilson 4, Potter 2, Beasley 2, Pemberton 1.
