Sometimes learning to win means taking a couple of close losses.
Oxford basketball Coach Steve Laidlaw is confident his team is progressing well but needs to learn how to prevail down the stretch to win those close battles.
The Cats dropped a 50-49 game to Richmond on Tuesday in a game the Cats could have won with a little luck.
Despite the loss, the team is coming along, the coach said. ‘We’re getting better and we will continue to do so,? Ladilaw said.
The improvement comes at a good time as the team will have its Christmas hiatus until early January when Flint Metro League play begins.
The Cats held a 24-22 halftime lead and went up 28-22 early in the third quarter. Several mistakes allowed Richmond back into the game and they even built a lead into the final quarter.
The Cats cut into the lead and had some chances to win down the stretch but couldn’t quit make it.
Laidlaw said poor free throw shooting hurt the Cats but they still kept it close. The Cats final bucket came with one second remaining to make it 50-49.
‘I see some positive things,? Laidlaw said. Brad Dugan led the Cats with 16 points, Allan Willar scored 12, Tim Ketelhut added 11 and Brandon Dugan eight.