Friday night was a tough one for Oxford’s boys basketball program. After going strong for 15 games, Ferndale ended the Wildcat’s record-setting win streak in a 66-59 game. The streak is the longest and best start to a season by any Oxford basketball team, beating the previous record of 10 games set by the 2016-17 team.

Oxford was able to come within one point of Ferndale late in the fourth quarter, but a number of turnovers, fouls and missed shots led to the loss. According to Head Coach Steve Laidlaw, shooting was at a low for the boys. From behind the arch, Oxford went eight for 35.

But, senior forward and captain Michael Raisch was able to get 21 points throughout the night and led Oxford offensively. He was followed by the Townsend brothers, junior forward Trey and sophomore guard Zach. Trey scored 15 points with eight rebounds and Zach grabbed 14 points, four of which were from dunks that rallied Wildcats in the stands and on the court.

Leading the boys on the wood most of the night was senior guard and captain Logan Coughlin. He grabbed seven assists throughout the game.

The boys’ 15th consecutive win came on Feb. 5 when the Wildcats hosted Harrison and crushed the team 68-20. Raisch again led his team with 19 points. He was followed by senior forward and captain Connor Nicholson with 11 points, Trey Townsend with 10 and senior guard D’Wayvay Turner with nine.

Coughlin was also an important player with six assists, and senior forward Grant Kornburger chipped in with four rebounds throughout the night. Laidlaw said a big part of the win was the boys’ defensive efforts, which he called “stifling” for Harrison.

Overall, the Wildcats are now 15-1. They’ll be back at it at home on Friday, Feb. 15 when they host Seaholm for the Winterfest game.