Brahmans fall to Suncoast in playoffs

Posted 2/16/21

OKEECHOBEE– The OHS Brahmans varsity basketball team fell to the Suncoast Chargers.

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Brahmans fall to Suncoast in playoffs

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Okeechobee’s Jahsheem Dawson attempts to split two Suncoast defenders.
Okeechobee’s Jahsheem Dawson attempts to split two Suncoast defenders.
OKEECHOBEE– The Okeechobee High School Brahmans varsity basketball team fell to the Suncoast Chargers 46-44 in the district semifinal on Feb. 10.


The loss stops Okeechobee from attempting a three-peat as district champions after winning it in 2019 and 2020.


The Brahmans started the game in dominating fashion, at one point going up 13-0 following a layup from senior Kehjayah Rogers. Okeechobee’s defense was suffocating in the first half. At the end of the first quarter the Brahmans led 15-4 and the Chargers had to fight for all four of those points.


Suncoast managed a small rally in the second quarter thanks to a few fouls by Okeechobee, but watching the first half of the game you got the feeling that the only way the Chargers would win the game would be if the Brahmans beat themselves.


A great layup at the buzzer by OHS junior Jayquavious Thomas let the Brahmans take a 29-18 lead into halftime.


So what changed in the second half? Suncoast’s defense stepped up, big time.

The Chargers forced multiple turnovers to start the third quarter. Suncoast also keyed in on OHS senior Jahsheem Dawson, who was facilitating a lot of Okeechobee’s drives on offense. Dawson started facing more double teams in the second half.

Okeechobee’s Kehjayah Rogers battles a Suncoast defender under the rim.
Okeechobee’s Kehjayah Rogers battles a Suncoast defender under the rim.


The third quarter ended with the game tied 35-35, with fouls and turnovers holding the Brahmans back from maintaining their lead.


Near the end of the fourth quarter the Brahmans led by one point, 44-43. Great defensive play by Suncoast as Okeechobee tried to in-bound the ball with 30 seconds forced the Brahmans into a costly turnover. Suncoast sophomore Nate Sasser stole the ball, was fouled on his shot attempt, and headed to the free throw line to attempt to give the Chargers the lead.


A loud home crowd at OHS forced Sasser to miss the first shot, but he managed to sink the second to tie the game 44-44.


The issues in-bounding the ball continued for Okeechobee. Suncoast forced another turnover and with time running out managed to hit a buzzer beating layup to win the game 46-44.


Although their season ended with the loss, the Brahmans  still had plenty to be proud of in their 2020-21 campaign. In the face of a pandemic Okeechobee went 9-3, secured the top seed in the district and very nearly were in the district championship for the third year in a row.

basketball, OHS, Brahmans, Suncoast

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