The Oxford basketball team made some huge strides last week when it clipped the Lapeer East Eagles, 62-52.
The Wildcat win was the first against East in seven years.
But, more important, it gives the team some hope that it can contend for a Flint Metro League crown. East is a defending league co-champion.
Coach Steve Laidlaw was not only pleased with his team’s play but was proud of how they won.
‘This win gives us a big lift,? he said. ‘It’s great to get the Lapeer East monkey off our backs.?
The Oxford full-court defense pressured East into 30 turnovers and guards Brandon Dugan and Alan Willar ran the Wildcat offense very well, Laidlaw said.
Brad Dugan scored 13 points and Willar netted 14.
The team’s leading scorer and rebounder Brad Dugan scored 17 points but spent much of the game on the bench in foul trouble.
Laidlaw praised the efforts of Billy Keenist who came off the bench and kept the Wildcat’s momentum going. Keenist finished with nine points.
Oxford led throughout the game and never really allowed East to gain any kind of flow or momentum.
The Cats outscored East 12-6 in the opening quarter, and led 26-16 at halftime. The Cats continued their onslaught in the third quarter, building a 42-28 lead after three quarters.
East is a defending Flint Metro League co-champion along with Lapeer West.
The Wildcats will host West at 7:15 p.m. on Friday.
‘This week is really important and will give a good indication of where we’re at,? Laidlaw said.