Oxford’s varsity girls basketball team finally broke through to the win column.
They walked out of their game against Southfield on Friday, Dec. 17 with a 41-33 victory over the Blue Jays.
‘Our girls had a good vibe during warm-ups that carried over to the game,? head coach Al Poynter said.
Unlike previous games where the Wildcats came out flat to open games, they jumped all over the Blue Jays, scoring the first seven points of the game and taking a 12-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
After stretching the lead to 13 by halftime, the Blue Jays came out and battled their way back to within three, 36-33, in the fourth quarter. However, Oxford put the clamps down and scored the last five points of the game to secure their first ever Oakland Activities Association season victory.
Junior Michelle Gilmore led Oxford 14 points and five assists and sophomore Kelsey Harrison contributed eight points and eight rebounds for Oxford.
‘I’m very proud of the team and their effort tonight,? Poynter said. ‘It’s a great game to build on as we enter the heart of our schedule after Christmas break.?
A rough start to the second half cost the varsity girls basketball team a chance at their first victory of the season in their Oakland Activities Association opener against Rochester Adams on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
The Wildcats lost 44-24 in a game that Poynter said was ‘closer than it appeared.?
Trailing 13-11 entering the second half, Adams broke the game open when they outscored Oxford 16-5 in the third quarter.
‘We played our best half of the season in the first half, but then Adams came at us with force in the second half and broke things open,? Poynter said. ‘We hung tough, but just couldn’t get the key basket or free throw when we needed it.?
Junior Samantha Myers had nine points to lead Oxford. Gilmore contributed eight points while sophomore Miranda Murphy led the Wildcats in rebounds with seven.
The next game for the Lady Cats will not be until Thursday, Jan. 6 when they play Oak Park at home. The game starts at 7 p.m.