Three times has proven to be a charm for Tom Wagner, who coaches the Oxford Middle School Eighth-Grade Girls? Basketball Team.
After two so-so seasons, the Wildcats finished this season with a 10-2 record.
The girls outscored their opponents by an average 24 points and played a suffocating defense that allowed an average of only 14 points per game.
‘The girls played outstanding team defense and had nice court awareness of their assignments and responsibilities,? said Wagner.
For the Eighth Graders, Maddy Line and Emma Kimmel led the Wildcats in scoring by averaging 11 points per game.
The team saved the best for last, as they erased a 10-3 second-quarter deficit by going on a 22-7 run and came back to defeat Fenton 25-17.
‘Everyone on the team played a role in the comeback,? the coach said.
What led to the team winning 83 percent of their team this year?
‘These girls have been playing together for a few years now,? Wagner explained. ‘They play well as a team. They have a good attitude and are hard working. The parents are very supportive and a few of the parents coach summer teams.?
Besides their defensive skills, Wagner said the girls also play great offense for a middle-school-level team, running various plays on offense exceptionally.