By Andrew Moser
Leader Intern
For the second time this week, the Wildcats Boy’s Varsity Basketball team squandered a huge lead and lost 55-50 against Brandon.
The Wildcats were up by 21 points with three minutes left in the third quarter, but Brandon turned up the full court pressure, causing turnovers and miscues from Oxford.
‘We just panicked,? said Oxford Coach Steve Laidlaw. ‘They (Brandon) got hot and starting hitting shots.?
The Wildcats raced out to an 8-0 early lead in the first, and their half court trap and zone play forced numerous turnovers from Brandon throughout the first half. At halftime, Oxford was up 24-15.
Oxford scored the first seven points of the second half and built what looked like an insurmountable lead.
However, Brandon changed the momentum, and the game, by instituting its own full court press.
Junior Tommy Neiman sparked the Wildcats early with his play, finishing with 16 points. Mike Bertling chipped in with 10 points, and Senior Anthony Esparsa added nine points for Oxford.
Earlier in the week, turnovers and miscues were at the forefront of Tuesday’s 68-57 loss to Fenton.
The Wildcats scorched the three-point line early, getting four three-pointers from Junior Mike Bertling. Senior Mike Stumph’s solid effort helped push the Wildcats to a 17-3 lead during the first four minutes of the game. Fenton then stepped up the defensive pressure, forcing numerous turnovers crawling back into the game, trailing 17-12 after one quarter.
Juniors Gary Wurtz and Tom Nieman kept the Wildcats in the game throughout the second quarter, but Fenton took control in the third, forcing more turnovers and keeping Oxford from rebounding effectively.
Fenton pulled away in the fourth when Sophomore Eric Mowery scored eight of his team high 18 points in the fourth.
Oxford Coach Steve Laidlaw said that turnovers were the main culprit for the loss. ‘Turnovers have plagued us all season, but last night was worse than the previous three games.? Fenton changed the momentum through our miscues. They did not hurt us offensively, but it was our turnovers that led to many of their easy baskets.?
Bertling lead the Wildcats with 23 points and Wurtz added 11 points. Nieman finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds.