Although they lost their first two games of the season against Lake Orion on Nov. 27 (41-62) and Flint Carman-Ainsworth on Nov. 30 (56-70), the Oxford Ladycats are more than ready to take on whatever team is thrown at them the rest of the season.
On Monday night, the girls had their first win of the season against Birmingham Groves 44-29. Leading scorer was junior Jessica Raisch with 10 points.
Coach Al Poynter’s team of 12 highly energized and skilled athletes are ready to conquer all five of the goals they set out for at the beginning of the season: To have all players improve throughout the season, to give 100 percent, to win the Flint Metro League championship and to ‘just have fun.?
‘I’ve got that in writing,? Poynter said. ‘Almost like a contract, that I made everyone sign.?
With the help of returning senior captain Amanda Teller (forward) and senior Kelsey Oliver (forward), Poynter is sure they will be great leaders for the team.
‘Amanda is a pleasant, hard-working kid,? he said. ‘I never have to worry about her. She brings that dependability.?
The coach said Oliver brings a ‘liveliness? and ‘real energy? to the court.
‘She’s a pretty flexible player in that she can guard multiple positions,? he said.
Poynter said senior Lauren Comerford (forward) brings ‘a real dedication to the game.?
‘She got in shape, she really wanted to be on the varsity team,? he said.
Junior captains Brooke Bocquet (guard) and Joelle Harms (guard/forward) each possess skills that add something to the team.
‘Joelle is probably our overall best player,? Poynter said, noting this is her third year wearing a varsity jersey. ‘We’re really hoping this will be a break-out season for her.?
The coach said Bocquet ‘brings an intensity on the defense? for the team.
Poynter said he’s looking for returning junior Jessica Raisch (forward) to ‘be a little more consistent? this season.
‘She’s improved by leaps and bounds,? he said.
Returning junior Le’Essa Collier (forward) will be hitting the court for more minutes during game time.
‘I feel like I can rely on her a lot more now,? Poynter said.
Juniors Cassi Archer (guard/forward), Hannah George (forward) and Kim Sutphin (forward) will add good shooting skills and tough plays during the games.
Two sophomores, Allie Laidlaw (guard) and Emily Brooks (guard/forward) will also benefit the team.
‘Allie is probably our best pure shooter,? the coach said, noting she hit 13 points at the Lake Orion game and 25 at Flint. ‘She’s a real tough kid who knows what to do and picks things up immediately.?
Brooks made the dramatic jump from the freshman team last season to the varsity this year.
‘She worked very hard and plays hard every second she’s out there,? Poynter said.
The Ladycats? biggest rival this season, according to Poynter, will be Brandon and Lapeer East.
He hopes this season could be the season the girls make it as district champs, which is something Oxford hasn’t done since 2001.
‘I’d like to get back there at some point,? the coach said. We have to learn from our first two games ? if we can do that, and carry what we have learned with us throughout the season, then we should be in good shape.?
The Ladycats start league play Friday night when they travel to Clio for a 6 p.m. game.