Ola'Dehinbo Propels Osbourn Park

Everything about its season had been improbable, so it was only fitting that an enigmatic sophomore reserve was the player who ultimately guided Osbourn Park to an uncharted spot in school history.

Yellow Jackets point guard Wynton Ola'Dehinbo did not play a single game last season as an ineligible freshman, and at times this season his erratic play kept him out of the lineup. But last night facing an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit, Ola'Dehinbo scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the final period to lift Osbourn Park to a 67-60 victory over Culpeper at Stonewall Jackson High in a one-game playoff to determine the Cedar Run District regular season champion.

The victory sealed Osbourn Park's first regular season district title since the school opened in 1975, and culminated a stunning turnaround for a Yellow Jackets team that won only one district game last season.

"I've never really felt anything like this before," Ola'Dehinbo said. "I just knew how important this was to my teammates, and I knew that I had to step up."

Osbourn Park lost at Culpeper, 73-70, on Thursday night in both teams' regular season finale, an outcome that created a three-way tie for first place in the Cedar Run. The tiebreaker format required the Yellow Jackets to play fellow finalist Liberty on Friday night -- winning 81-46 -- to earn a rematch against Culpeper last night.

The victory gave Osbourn Park (15-8) the top seed in the Northwest Region tournament. It was the most recent hurdle for a team that won only three games last season en route to a last-place finish in the Cedar Run.

"It just feels great to be a part of all this," said Osbourn Park guard Calvin Croskey, who added 15 points. "We made history."

The Yellow Jackets trailed 46-38 with 7 minutes 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but Ola'Dehinbo led them back. Fearlessly slashing through Culpeper's zone defense, he scored 11 of Osbourn Park's last 13 points.

Ola'Dehinbo, who was ineffective against the Blue Devils two nights earlier and did not play at all in the fourth quarter, put the Yellow Jackets up for good at 57-56 with a driving layup with 1:45 to go.

"I had nothing for him," Culpeper Coach J.T. Thompson said. "Once he got in the lane he made the plays tonight."

Osbourn Park 67, Culpeper 60 Also Improved: Culpeper (16-7) became a force in the Cedar Run District this season despite coming off a 6-17 record a year ago. Keeping Close: Culpeper's Eric Washington and Solomon Francis each scored 14 points Osbourn Park 67, Culpeper 60 Also Improved: Culpeper (16-7) became a force in the Cedar Run District this season despite coming off a 6-17 record a year ago. Keeping Close: Culpeper's Eric Washington and Solomon Francis each scored 14 points