By Teddy Rydquist
Leader Staff Writer
Voted on by the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) White Division coaches and released on March 19, Oxford Wildcats senior Trey Townsend was one of 12 players named to the All-OAA White team in boys’ basketball for his performance in the 2019-20 season.
This is the second-straight All-League selection for Townsend as he collected All-OAA Blue honors as a junior in 2018-19, as well.
The school’s second-all-time leading scorer at 1,010 points, he established a single-season program record with 456 points. Playing in all 21 of the Wildcats’ games, this equates to 21.7 points per game, another program record for a single campaign.
Working hard over the summer and fall of 2019 to improve his ball-handling and jump shooting, Townsend reached these scoring totals with sizzling efficiency. He shot 55 percent from the floor overall, including a 28 percent mark from three-point distance, and made his free throws at a 68 percent clip.
More than just a gifted scorer, he nearly averaged a double-double, pulling down 9.5 rebounds per game.
Townsend will stay in the area and attend Oakland University in the fall. Set to further his student-athlete career as a member of Greg Kampe’s basketball team, he is expected to redshirt in the 2020-21 season and begin competing in games for the Golden Grizzlies in 2021-22.
Oxford’s season concluded with a loss to the Clarkston Wolves in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) District No. 5 semifinals on March 11. Finishing at 10-11 (4-8 OAA White), the Wildcats shared fifth-place in the division with the Birmingham Groves Falcons.
In addition to Townsend, the team will have to replace forward/center Ethan Robinson – another regular starter – next season. Outside of these two, however, head coach Steve Laidlaw’s team returns several contributors.
Juniors Pedro Bottene, Mason Mulholland, Palmer Speck and Zach Townsend all have experience handling the basketball and will be the veteran members of Laidlaw’s backcourt. Sophomore center Bryce Esman appears to be in line for increased minutes in the frontcourt.

  Trey Townsend