Three games into the season and the Lady Wildcats are already showing they are a force to be reckoned with.
The varsity girls basketball team hosted the Oxford Invitational on August 25 through 27 with the Lady Cats facing off against Lake Orion and Flint Carman-Ainsworth.
On Monday, Oxford defeated the Dragons 54-51. Top points for the night were Denise Spratley with 24, Jenni Rhodes with nine and Ally Zonsius with seven. Spratley also hit hard with 20 rebounds.
On Wednesday, the Cavaliers stopped Oxford cold 43-35. The teams tied up the board 4-4 at the end of the first period, but Carman-Ainsworth pulled ahead by the end of the second 23-13. Top shooter for the night was Megan Stumph with 17 points, which included three 3-point shots.
This past Tuesday, September 2, Oxford took the court again in non-league competition against Cranbrook Kingswood, who defeated the Lady Cats by two points last year.
The night opened well with Oxford leading at the end of the first 14-7 and staying ahead at the half 28-24. However, Cranbrook fought back in the third period.
“They were ahead by three points at one point,” said Coach Becky Graves. “We were down 32-36 when Mykala Salquist threw a two pointer and then Megan Stumph hit a three pointer to bring us over 37-36.”
Salquist came through for Oxford again later in the game – she shot seven of her nine points in the fourth.
“She did very well,” said Graves. “She came off the bench and did great.”
Other high scorers were Stumph with 18 points, including four three-pointers, and Spratley with 14. Spratley and teammate Zonsius also had six rebounds each.
The Lady Wildcats, who now stand 2-1 overall, face off against Crosswell Lexington tomorrow (Thursday) at home. Graves said the only information she has on the school is that they come from “high up in the thumb.”
On September 9, Oxford travels to compete against Goodrich as the ladies prepare for their first league match-up at home on September 10 against Lapeer West.