DIVISION III BOYS DISTRCT Badger turns back JFK for first title since 1982

The Braves posted a 55-50 victory over the Eagles and now advance to regional play next week.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HUBBARD -- Badger High, held to just four points in the first quarter, rallied over the next three and captured its first Division III boys district championship since 1982 with a 55-50 victory over Warren JFK on Friday night.
The Braves (20-3) advance to the regional tournament next Thursday at the Canton Fieldhouse where they will meet the winner of tonight's district final between Akron Manchester and Loudenville.
Eagles led early: The Eagles (13-12) held a 13-4 first-period lead behind the play of 6-5 junior Luke Vincer, who led all scorers with 18 points.
But Badger made the necessary adjustments to close the gap to 23-18 at halftime and then exploded past the Eagles 22-10 in the third period and finally held off the Eagles' late comeback to get the victory.
"We worked hard all week against stopping their perimeter game," said Badger coach Bill Bogan. "But we forgot about their post men and they have a couple of good ones and they really hurt us early."
Warren JFK John Condoleon agreed with Bogan.
"We knew they were going to come out and try to shut down our perimeter, but Vincer just stepped up and took control early," Condoleon said. "But we allowed them to get back into the game at the end of the half.
"We knew they were going to make a run at us sooner or later, but that splurge at the end of the half really hurt," he added. "Then they came out and took the lead real quick in the third quarter and from then on we were fighting from behind."
Miller ignites spark: The Braves were led by senior Ryan Miller with 17 points, and it was his 3-point goal with 4:23 remaining in the second quarter that set the pace for Badger.
JFK held a 19-9 lead just before he hit that bucket and then Badger outscored the Eagles 6-0 over the final two minutes to close a big lead to 23-18.
It was again Miller who led the Braves to their first lead when he scored back-to-back buckets early in the third period that tied the contest at 25-25.
Josh Klingensmith followed with another basket at the 5:58 mark to give Badger its first lead of the game, 27-25.
Kennedy came back to regain the lead briefly 33-32 on baskets by Vincer and Keith Black, but in the final 1:45 of the period Upshire and reserve Tyler Bonar hit back-to-back 3-point goals and Bonar followed with another bucket at the buzzer to pull the Braves into a 40-33 advantage.
Clemente leads comeback: The Eagles still trailed 47-37 with over three minutes remaining when sophomore Colin Clemente took over for the Eagles.
He started with a three-point play at 3:25 and then hit back-to-back 3-point goals and brought the Eagles to within two points, 47-45, with just over two minutes remaining.
But with time running out the Eagles had to foul and the Braves took full advantage, making 8-of-10 free throws in the final minute and 13-of-16 in the final quarter. Miller was 5-of-7 in that final period from the line.
"Ryan has really stepped up the final month of the season and has taken over the team," added Bogan. "Sometimes I think I should just sit back and let him run the show out there."
While Vincer led the way and also added eight rebounds, Clemente chipped in with 16 points for the Eagles.
Miller was followed by Upshire with 12 points and Mitch Logan with 10 points off the bench. Klingensmith and Brett Bell each had eight rebounds as the Braves outrebounded JFK 35-26.
mollica@vindy.com