Number 35 was the
most value player
With one of the most important members missing from the game, the Bellaire Basketball team played in the honor of fallen teammate Tobi Oyedeji
An out pour of fans filled Delmar Field house Wednesday evening to capacity, in efforts to support a great cause.
Tobi Oyedeji was an intricate part of the Bellaire Basketball Team, who passed away early Sunday morning due to injuries sustained in a automobile accident. Authorities think Oyedeji may have fallen asleep while driving. but never the less Oyedeji will be dearly missed.
The 6’8” Oyedeji was welled like by many, also known to be a model student with an 3.1 grade point average.
All the players from each team dressesed the same number (35) in memory of Oyedeji who draped the number during his career at Bellaire.
A moment of silence followed by prayer before the tip off sent some fans to tears.
According to the UIL both team were without their head coach and only seniors were allow to play.
Bellaire finished the season (35-2) and was ranked No. 1 in class 5A throughout most of the season.
Yates (34-0) finished the season undefeated and claimed the No.1 spot in the land.
Of course the game was about much more than competition.
Young scored the game’s first 5 points with a layup and a trey from the left baseline to give the Lions the early lead.
Jamel Outler brought the Cardinals within one, 11-10 with 4:20 to go in the first quarter and also helped close out an eight point lead 31-23 at the end of one.
In the second quarter Yates stormed back connecting on three treys, two from Young and one from Darius Gardner. That gave the Lions a 57-46 halftime lead.
Point guard Gardner led the way to a 21 point lead in the third quarter before Bellaire’s Point Guard Evans stroked two three pointer to trim the lead 69-56.
At the end of the third Yates led 77-63.
Bothe teams picked up the pace in the fourth quarter. The crowd watched Evans knock down another trey to cut Yates lead to six, 96-90 with 1:21 to go but that would be as close as the Cardinals would get.