The Varsity Boys Basketball team did not have a good week, losing both games they played by double digits.
Their game Friday, Jan 23 was one they would like to forget as they lost to first place Holly 70-37.
Holly roared out of the gates, and before the first quarter was over, had built a 14-point lead. Oxford trimmed it to 26-16 in the second, but that was the closest they would get the rest of the game. Holly closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run, sealing the Wildcat’s fate.
‘They are a great offensive team,? Oxford Coach Steve Laidlaw said. ‘They were hitting three’s and we didn’t shoot the ball well.?
Sophomore Chris Calvin scored 11 points in his first start of the season, and Junior Tommy Neiman added seven points.
On Tuesday, Jan 20, Oxford was never able to get started offensively against Linden, falling behind in the first and never making a comeback, losing 71-50.
Turnovers plagued Oxford in the first quarter as they fell behind 14-8. The offense finally picked up, but went into halftime trailing 34-25.
‘We began playing offensively much better in the second,? Coach Laidlaw said. ‘But we kept fouling them and sending them to the free throw line where they converted many free throws.?
Senior Anthony Esparsa helped trim the lead to seven in the third quarter, but Linden was able to overcome Oxford’s gambling and pressure defense, stretching the lead from 11 in the start of the fourth to 21.
He finished with 13 points and Junior Kevin Cramer chipped in eight points. Calvin added five rebounds.