By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Writer
The Oxford varsity girl’s basketball team opened their season last Monday in the annual Oxford Invitational. Oxford traveled to Lake Orion for the first round of the tourney.
In their debut of the season, the Ladycats were defeated by Lake Orion, but showed true signs of being a tough competitor.
Oxford got off to a slow start, allowing Lake Orion to jump out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter.
Junior Stacey Sutphin finally snapped the Dragon’s streak with a drive to the basket and a lay-up.
With senior captains Ashley Seeling and Mykala Salquist on the bench in foul trouble, the young Oxford squad continued to battle for points and held the Dragons at bay.
With three minutes left in the half, Seeling and Salquist returned to the court to re-energize Oxford’s offense.
Off the bench, Seeling scored a quick jumper and then with seconds left in the half, pulled down an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put back. Oxford went into halftime down only twelve points (35-23).
In the start of the third, Oxford scored a quick four points off senior Gena Nelson’s hook shot and sophomore Kelsey Oliver’s jumper putting the Ladycats within eight. Oxford’s offense and defense continued to stay strong and keep the Ladycats in the game.
In the fourth quarter, Oxford battled for buckets and come within six points off a Salquist three pointer with a little over a minute left in the game.
But Lake Orion hit their free throws down the stretch and won the game 62-50. Overall, head coach Al Poynter was very pleased with his young squad’s performance.
‘We were nervous early, but when we settled down and defended, I think we showed that we can be competitive with just about anyone,? Poynter said.
Against Lake Orion, Oxford committed over 31 turnovers and was only 8-of-22 from the free-throw line in the twelve-point loss.
Mykala Salquist was top scorer for Oxford with 15 points, Ashley Seeling finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds, and Kelsey Oliver had 8 points in the opener.
Last Wednesday the Ladycats defeated Flint Carman-Ainsworth 42-39.
Coach Poynter contributed the win to his squad’s improved defense, fewer turnovers, and hanging tough down the stretch.
Freshman Joelle Harms had eleven points, three blocks, and two steals in the game and drained a three pointer late in the fourth to put the Ladycats ahead for good.
Mykala Salquist had 10 points and six rebounds, and Ashley Seeling pulled down nine rebounds.
Oxford record is 1-1 and is set to play Richmond at home on Thursday, September 8.