The Oak Glen Golden Bears roared into the new year with an emphatic statement, dismantling the Madonna Blue Dons 80-34 on Tuesday night inside the Bears Den. With this resounding victory, Oak Glen improved their record to 3-2, marking their third consecutive home win and sending a clear message to the rest of the competition: the Bears are finding their stride, and they’re doing it with style.
From the opening tip, Oak Glen looked determined to seize control. The Bears jumped out to an 18-8 lead after the first quarter, showing off a balanced attack and unrelenting defensive pressure. By halftime, they had stretched their advantage to 43-19, effectively putting the game out of reach for the youthful Blue Dons. The Bears never looked back, continuing to pour it on in the second half and finishing with a 46-point margin—their largest of the season so far.
Head coach Everly was pleased with his team’s focus and execution, especially against a Madonna squad still finding its footing. “We played well against a team that we should beat,” Everly said after the game. “They’re very young, their time will come, so we wanted to take care of business and get them while they’re young. We wanted to take care of ourselves, worry about our own game and execute, and I thought we did.”
It was a true team effort for Oak Glen, with ten of the eleven players who saw the floor getting on the scoreboard—and each notching at least five points. The Bears’ depth was on full display, as four players reached double figures, including two off the bench. Gavin Geisse led the way with 14 points, setting the tone with aggressive drives and timely buckets. Mason Kell was a force from beyond the arc, draining three triples on his way to 11 points. Colt Hissam matched that output with three treys and 11 points off the bench, while Tyler Evans also contributed 11 points in a spark-plug role.
The Bears’ proficiency from long range was impossible to ignore. Oak Glen knocked down nine three-pointers as a team, stretching Madonna’s defense and opening up lanes for easy baskets inside. Every player seemed eager to get in on the action, with crisp ball movement and unselfish play fueling their offensive outburst. “I told them to take care of business and not take anything for granted, not come out sloppy and execute the things we work on in practice and I thought we did a good job of that,” Everly emphasized. “We still have some things to work on, but that’s good, we’ll keep working.”
On the other side, the Madonna Blue Dons entered the contest with a lineup that included five sophomores, three freshmen, and just one junior—a testament to their youth and inexperience. Growing pains have been part of the journey so far for head coach George Vargo’s squad, who now sit at 1-6 after their second consecutive loss. Still, Vargo remains optimistic about his team’s future. “We’re learning, there are growing pains,” Vargo said. “Our kids play hard, they just have to learn the game better. But they keep playing hard and they don’t give up. We start a freshman and four sophomores, so we know we’re going to go through the growing pains. We’ll get better as we go and keep learning and keep growing. We’ve seen a lot of improvements from Game 1 to Game 7.”
Despite the lopsided score, Madonna never stopped competing. Reno Fuscardo led the Blue Dons with 14 points, showing flashes of potential as a future cornerstone for the program. Jake Druga added eight points, while Vinny Chiodi chipped in five. For Madonna, the challenge now is to harness these experiences and continue their development as the season unfolds.
This game also added another chapter to the evolving rivalry between Oak Glen and Madonna. Notably, the last four meetings between these two teams have all been won by the home side—a trend that held true once again on Tuesday night. Oak Glen’s win not only avenged a narrow loss to Madonna earlier in the year but also showcased the Bears’ offensive firepower. Over their last three home games, Oak Glen has averaged a blistering 80.0 points per contest, a testament to their ability to light up the scoreboard in front of their fans.
The Bears’ victory was built on more than just scoring. Their defensive intensity forced Madonna into tough shots and limited second-chance opportunities. Oak Glen’s ability to rotate fresh legs off the bench kept the pressure on, while their commitment to sharing the basketball ensured that everyone contributed. Ten players scoring at least five points? That’s the kind of balance coaches dream about.
Looking ahead, both teams face challenging road tests this coming Saturday, January 3, 2026. Oak Glen will travel to Wellsville for a matchup against the Tigers, whose defense has allowed an average of 52.67 points per game this season. With Oak Glen’s offense firing on all cylinders, fans can expect a high-scoring affair—and perhaps another showcase for the Bears’ deep roster.
Madonna, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they head to Toronto for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. The Blue Dons are searching for answers and growth, and every game is an opportunity for their young core to gain valuable experience. If they can channel the relentless effort praised by their coach and build on the lessons from tough outings like this one, brighter days may be on the horizon.
For now, Oak Glen can celebrate a job well done. As Coach Everly put it, “It’s good to go into the new year above .500.” With momentum on their side and a roster getting contributions from top to bottom, the Golden Bears are poised to make some noise as the season heats up. Will this be the start of a sustained run for Oak Glen? Only time will tell, but if Tuesday’s performance is any indication, fans have plenty of reasons to be excited.
As the Bears and Blue Dons prepare for their next challenges, one thing’s for sure: the energy and passion of high school basketball are alive and well in the region. With young stars emerging and established programs finding their groove, every game brings new storylines and fresh excitement. Stay tuned—there’s a lot more action to come.