The Wildcat cagers wrapped up their season on a low note with losses to the top two teams in the league and then a loss at District competition.
On March 2, Oxford lost a heartbreaker to league champion Holly.
“Holly is the best team in the league,” said Coach Steve Laidlaw. “We were down by two with 57 seconds to go with the ball and we just didn’t get it done.”
Despite the loss, the Wildcats saw some great performances. Joe Fedorinchik led the way with 15 points, supported by teammate Dave Wendt with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Bryan Mattack added his own 12 points and seven assists.
On March 5, the team lost 57-50 against Lapeer East, who placed second in the league. The Wildcats were down by 13 at the half, but came back to out score East 22 to six in the third.
“We were up by three with the ball and with four minutes left in the game,” described Laidlaw, “and unfortunately, like many games this season, we didn’t get it done.”
Wendt once again took the offensive lead with 14 points.
In District competition, Oxford lost 61-44 against Waterford Motts.
“That was the worst first half we’ve played all year,” said Laidlaw. “We scored only one point in the first period.”
Once again, Wendt led the team with 10 points, while sophomore Brad Dugan pulled in nine rebounds.
The Oxford Varsity Basketball team is saying good-bye to eight seniors this year. Leading on the floor were Joe Fedorinchik, Chris Schnur, Ryan Stull, Bryan Mattack, Casey Mick and Dave Reile.
Captain Joe Fedorinchik was the strength behind this years team. Laidlaw described him as “everything you could want in a captain – smart, hard working and a dedicated basketball player.” Casey Mick added his own brand of leadership – he always “overachieved and gave everything he had everyday.”
Senior Ryan Stull had one of the best careers on the team. He is the seventh highest all time OHS career scorer with 636 points, and is up to make All-League.
“He had an amazing career,” said Laidlaw. “At one point he shot 22 points over five games.”
Bryan Mattack is described as the “heart and soul” of the team. He led in steals for the season and contributed 125 assists. Laidlaw said he was arguable “the most improved player in the program over the course of his career.”
Finally their are teammates Chris Schnur and Dave Reile. Although the two seniors did not see the floor time of the others, when they did hit the court everyone knew they were there.
“Schnur would come in and give us some great minutes when we needed them,” said Laidlaw. “Reile is one of our unsung heroes. He was our top defender and really gave us a great lift here in the end while Ryan (Stull) was gone for two games.”
Of the six seniors, three were National Honors Society members (Fedorinchik, Casey and Reile) and five of the six have made honor roll all year.
“These six seniors made basketball matter again at Oxford,” said Laidlaw “They are six very dedicated and competitive individuals. That’s how I’m always going to remember them.”