Despite a rough and rocky 2002-2003 season, the Oxford Boys Varsity Basketball team is back and ready to go for a new year.
Head coach Steve Laidlaw, who unlike last year is enjoying more than three weeks notice to prepare for his second season, is holding some high expectations for the cagers.
“I think we have a chance at a good team this year,” said Laidlaw. “We want to win the Flint Metro League and basically just have a winning season all around.”
Coming off a 5-16 overall record last season, the Wildcats will be depending heavily on eight returning players, as well as team captains Joe Fedorinchik and Casey Mick to keep from having a repeat year.
“All the kids that could return did for this season,” said Laidlaw. “We have a bit of experience out there now.”
The team lost seven players at the end of last season, but Laidlaw said he is confident in returning seniors Fedorinchik, Mick, Ryan Stull and Bryan Mattack.
“I have four pretty solid seniors with lots of playing time coming back,” he added. “They’re really going to be able to pull this team forward.”
Oxford also has some new talent in the varsity team’s underclassmen. Laidlaw said he’s found some height in junior Dave Wendt, 6’6”, and sophomore Brad Duggan, 6’4”.
However, Laidlaw is not placing any bets or wasting any time. The second-year varsity coach began preparing his Wildcats in April with training sessions four times a week, and the Oxford cagers played in 32 games during the off-season. He said the team won’t really be changing any game plans from last season, just perfecting the ones they’ve got.
“We’re looking forward to winning some more games this year,” he stated.
Basketball season kicked off on Tuesday, Dec. 9, with the Wildcats hitting the court against Lake Orion. On Friday, Dec. 12, Oxford faces off against Goodrich at home.