BY DOUG DONNELLY

ADRIAN – When Whiteford needed a basket Saturday afternoon, the Bobcats went to the drawing board. Literally.

Bobcat coach Nick Abalos drew up a play in the huddle that the Bobcats never ran before. It worked perfectly as Isaiah Joerin found a cutting Luke Rasor under the basket for the game-winner with 3.5 seconds left as Whiteford won for the second consecutive day, 54-52.

“We wanted to give them a look they hadn’t seen all game,” Abalos said. “The kids deserve all of the credit. They ran it perfectly.”

The bucket gave Rasor 15 points. Cole Giesige also scored 15 for the Bobcats, which improved to 4-3 on the season.

Madison tied the game at 52-52 with a bucket with 1:08 remaining. Whiteford got the ball back and dribbled the clock down to 17 seconds when Abalos called timeout and drew up the winner. Shea Ruddy hit Joerin in the corner, who found Rasor cutting to the basket.

“We figured if he didn’t hit it he might get fouled and he’s a good free throw shooter,” Abalos said. “He was excited to take that shot. He has a lot of confidence.”

Whiteford plays at Ottawa Hills, Ohio, Tuesday in a non-league game.

Whiteford 54, Madison 52

Whiteford 16-7-23-8=54

Madison 8-15-11-18=52

WHITEFORD (54): Ruddy 2(1) 0-0 5, I. Joerin 1 1-1 3, Rasor 6(3) 0-1 15, Giesige 6 3-7 15, Andrews 3 0-2 6, Hill 2(2) 2-2 8, Hillard 1 0-0 2. Totals 21(6) 6-13 54.

MADISON (52): Palpant 4(1) 0-0 9, Benson 5 1-1 11, Neal 1 0-0 2, Powers 1 0-0 2, Roberts 2 3-4 7, Theriot 2 3-4 7, Ashford 4 0-0 8, Regaldo 3 0-0 6. Totals 22(1) 7-9 52.