By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

A rare opportunity for the girls to compete on the Oxford High School floor, the Oxford Middle School seventh and eighth grade Blue and Gold girls’ basketball teams rounded out their seasons by facing each other on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

In the first game of the evening, the Blue seventh graders defeated the Gold, 29-20. Tallying six points, Nina Kratt was one of the driving forces behind the Blue team’s 12-0 season.

“It took a lot of hard work, but it felt good to have an undefeated season,” Kratt said of her team’s accomplishments.

A solid season in their own right, the Gold seventh graders wrapped up their year at 9-3.

Taking place after the completion of the seventh grade contest, the Blue eighth graders also topped the Gold, 32-10.

Interestingly, the eighth grade teams posted the exact same records as their seventh grade counterparts: the Blue team went 12-0, while the Gold finished 9-3.

Named after the most successful girls’ basketball coach in Oxford history, the girls appreciated the opportunity to compete in front of their parents and classmates at the Ian Smith Gymnasium.

“I was nervous and excited to play at Oxford High School,” seventh grader Brynley Cardona said.

“I made sure I was ready to play as hard as I could.”

Echoing Cardona’s sentiments, eighth grader Bella Rushlow is hoping to continue her career at the high school level a year from now.

“We felt special being on the ‘big floor.’ I can’t wait to play on that floor next year!”

Looking at the bigger picture, seventh grader Emma Dorman liked how she grew closer to her classmates throughout the season.

“It was fun to play and get to know the girls that I don’t often have a chance to talk to. I’m looking forward to next season!”

Inducted posthumously into the Oxford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, Smith won 493 games and posted a .785 winning percentage during his outstanding 27-year career. Ranking seventh on the Michigan High School Athletic Association all-time wins list, Smith’s teams captured 13 league titles, including nine in the prestigious Flint Metro League.