By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
The varsity Ladycats made great strides as a team last week.
Although they dropped Tuesday’s game to the Brandon Blackhawks, there were more positive aspects of the game than the final outcome. Earlier in the season, Oxford lost to Brandon by a fairly large margin, but last week, the Ladycats lost by only 3 points. The 40-37 loss at least puts the Ladycats in the right mind set for a team they could possibly see in second round of districts this week-that they have a chance.
Head coach Al Poynter was happy with his team’s performance in the game. ‘We made some shots and we only had 9 turnovers. I feel like offensively we have been decent, we don’t beat ourselves nearly as much, but we haven’t made enough shots to take advantage.?
Seniors Gena Nelson and Mykala Salquist were high scorers with eight points apiece.
Oxford drew a bye in the first round of the district tournament and is set to play the winner of the Brandon/Waterford Kettering game on Wednesday. If they are successful on the night, they will find themselves in the district finals on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7pm at Brandon. ‘We felt that if we could play them [Brandon] tough or even get the win, then we would be ready for Wednesday,? Poynter stated.
To round out their positive week, Oxford hosted the Holly Bronchos in what would be their last home game, their last league game, and their last chance to notch a win in the Flint Metro League. Before the game, Poynter sat down with his squad and laid out the specifics. ‘We talked about the seniors and that it would be their last game at home, and the fact that it would always be one they would remember. We also talked about taking advantage of a great opportunity to get ready for districts.?
Oxford outscored the Bronchos in every single quarter in the 58-38 victory.
Freshman Joelle Harms was high scorer with 12 points for the Ladycats. Senior captains Ashley Seeling and Mykala Salquist each had ten points, and sophomore Kelsey Oliver finished with eight points.