Dropping their league-opener, 41-36, to the Troy Colts on the road on Dec. 17, the Oxford Lady Wildcats basketball team was eager to return to their home court.
Able to put this loss behind them, the girls began their Christmas break in style by holding off the North Farmington Lady Raiders, 41-39, in overtime on Dec. 20 at the Ian Smith Gymnasium. The victory improves Oxford to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Oakland Activities Association White Division play, one-game back of the Troy Athens Lady Red Hawks in the win column.
Finishing with a team-high 11 points, junior Emma Morris gave the Wildcats the lead with a clutch three-pointer with 1:20 to play in the extra session. Responsible for guarding the Raiders’ best player, senior Maya Kelly, fellow junior Mackenzie Methner added 10 points.
Kelly led the charge for North Farmington, finishing with a game-high 12 points. Freshman Sela Lefler and junior Heaven Rogers chipped in 10 and seven points, respectively.
Jumping out to a 13-5 at the conclusion of the first quarter, it looked as if Oxford might be able to have their way offensively. Instead, head coach Jeff Simpson and the Raiders made some adjustments and held the Wildcats to just 11 combined points over the next two frames.
“We knew going into this game that they (North Farmington) are a very good second half team,” head coach Rachel Bryer explained. “They like to up their tempo and aggressiveness in the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter, so we knew it was coming.
“It was a matter of building up enough of a lead where we could stay in the game when that ended up happening. Turned into quite the battle, it was fun.”
Having 18 days between games, Bryer took a moment to reflect on where her team stands at this point.
“I feel like this season is going to be one of growth and understanding,” she said. “We may not win every game, but I would hands down throw my girls up against any team out there because they work hard and get after it.
“I’m proud of them because they show up every day and I don’t really have to give the girls a lot of motivation, they just come naturally with it. It’s nice to have a team like that.”
The girls will next be in action on Jan. 7 at home against Troy Athens at 7 p.m.