‘I really feel my boys were the better team that night, but we just didn’t come off the winning end,? said Oxfords Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Stephan Henning, after their 48-34 loss to Clarkston in the MHSAA District Semifinals on March. 11.
‘Even though we lost by 14, it doesn’t really indicate how close the game really was,? he said, explaining that his Wildcats entered half-time with a three point lead above the Wolves.
‘We had a 10-2 foul situation going at the end of the third quarter, so they were on a (scoring) run but we were always in reach by five points or so,? he said. ‘All respect to Coach Fife. It was awesome going against a hall of fame coach like that and kind of being able to go toe-for-toe with him and have my kids battle and his kids battle.?
While Oxford was not favored to win over the undefeated Wolves, Henning gave his boys a little outside inspiration.
‘Before the game I had (Oxford’s Football) Coach Bud Rowley give a little speech to my boys, a little bit different than mine, but they loved that,? he said. ‘Then I had my college coach, Klint Pleasant of Rochester College, talk to them, so they got to hear from some really great coaches about what it takes to win and they were fired up ready to go.?
As far as highlight players, Henning said his heavy-minute guys Delxino Alexander, Conner Elzerman and Mason Vires all shot the ball well. He also pointed out that point-guard sophomore Jordan Jadan held Clarkston’s ‘big freshmen,? Foster Loyer on defense, only allowing him to score nine points. Senior Matt Marney also came up big for Oxford.
‘There were times when he was literally about to pass out because he’s just giving every ounce of energy he had,? Henning said. ‘It was a lot of highlights for our team.?
As he looks to the future, Henning is ‘excited for where the program is heading.?
‘Thoughts on moving forward is just getting the young guys to buy in. Not to buy in what I’m saying on offense or defense, but just to buy in into putting in true effort into their craft,? he explained. ‘If they want to be good, they can’t just (pick up a) ball again in the fall and think we’re going to roll it out again and beat teams. They got to put in the work ethic (for next season) right now – today.?
While he’s sad that the end of the season means the loss of his senior leadership, he believes a foundation was laid, especially by Elzerman, Alexander and Vires.
‘Those three would stay after practice to work on shots and come in and go over plays to work on individual craft. Just for our players to be around that? We laid the groundwork for true leadership,? Henning added. ‘They weren’t the most vocal leaders, but the work they put in naturally allowed people on the team to respect them.?