By Nicole Laidlaw
Sports Correspondant
The rowdy Oxford fans Friday night were suddenly silenced after the varsity basketball team lost a well-played game against Swartz Creek 57-54.
The unfortunate defeat made the Cats? record fall to 5-13 overall and 5-9 in the Flint Metro League.
The Winter Fest crowd was the loudest it’s been all season, and with their fans cheering them on, the Wildcats played exceptionally well against the Dragons, who were 10-3 in the FML, and one game short of first place Lapeer West.
Knowing that this would be one of the toughest teams to beat, Oxford came out full speed. They managed to take a one-point lead by half-time and led 31-30 at the end of the first half.
The Wildcats controlled the third quarter, and increased the gap by three points. Oxford eventually built their lead by five in the final quarter.
But too many missed shots by the Wildcats helped Swartz Creek gain a one-point lead with about two minutes to go in the fourth.
After that, Oxford was unable to battle back and fell to the Dragons by three points.
‘We played our best game of the year, in the best environment of the year,? Coach Steve Laidlaw said.
He credited senior Brandon Dugan with playing one of his best games of the season, and Chris Keenist for being outstanding on the board.
Dugan lead the Wildcats with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Junior Zach Tilley put 10 points on the board for Oxford.
Laidlaw was very pleased with his team’s effort and execution, and he hopes they continue their improved play during the remainder of the season.
The Wildcats will conclude their regular season on Friday when they play Fenton.