A slow start doomed the Varsity Boys Basketball team when they took on Lapeer West in front of a lively crowd for the annual Winterfest game on Friday, Feb. 5.
The Wildcats got down 16-8 after the first quarter and were never able to make any serious dents in West’s lead after that.
The rest of the game went back and forth as each team traded baskets. By halftime the Wildcats still found themselves trailing 29-21. They pulled within seven at the end of the third quarter, but West used a 19-point fourth quarter to keep Oxford from pulling out the victory. Senior Mike Bertling led the Wildcats with 14 points and junior Chris Calvin added 11 points.
The Wildcats suffered another heartbreaking loss when they traveled to Fenton on Tuesday, Feb. 2, losing 79-74 in an game that saw Fenton hold on in the fourth quarter.
Oxford lost despite Calvin going for 28 points, including 6-7 from the free throw line. His efforts were offset by Fenton hitting 10 three pointers in the game.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-12 lead after the first quarter, but Fenton found it’s touch on the offense end and scored over 20 points in the last three quarters.
Fenton took a 32-31 lead into halftime.
Head Coach Paul Marfia had been preaching all season the importance of coming out quickly after halftime, but Fenton got the jump on Oxford and outscored them 24-16 in the quarter, putting the game out of reach.
The Wildcats tried to rally late by putting up 27 points in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough as Fenton scored just enough to keep Oxford at bay.
Bertling added 20 points and senior Kevin Cramer added 13 points for the Wildcats. Senior Gary Wurtz chipped in 10 points.
The Wildcats hit the road for both games this week against Lapeer East on Feb. 9 and Brandon on Feb. 12.