Oxford’s varsity girls basketball team climbed over the .500 mark in Oakland Activities Association play with convincing victories over Farmington Hills Harrison and Birmingham Groves this past week.
The Wildcats moved to 6-5 in league play with 65-41 victory over Birmingham Groves during the first Winterfest game on Friday, Feb. 10.
Oxford put the game away early when they stormed out of the gates and outscored Groves 16-6 in the first quarter. They continued their strong defensive effort by holding Groves to seven points in the second.
The Wildcats led 36-13 at halftime.
‘Our biggest thing was, we had to come right out of the gates hard,? varsity coach Steve Emert said. ‘We established (our) defensive tempo right off the get-go, and when you establish that, the offense part will come with it.?
Junior Shelby Davis led Oxford with 18 points, while junior Kelsey Harrison and senior Michelle Gilmore each had 13 points.
Emert noted the Wildcats finished 27-36 from the free-throw line.
On Tuesday, Feb. 7 the Wildcats played one of their best defensive games of the season in a 39-22 victory over Farmington Hills Harrison.
Oxford’s defense held Harrison to 13 points in the first half and two points in the third quarter.
‘We played a very good defensive ballgame,? Emert said. ‘That is one of the things we wanted to do ? stress the defensive part of it and the offense will come, and that is what has been happening the last two games.?
Junior Shelby Davis had 14 points, while senior Michelle Gilmore had eight points.
With the victories, the Wildcats moved to 8-9 overall.
‘We’re headed in the right direction,? Emert said.
‘The kids are doing all the right things (and) working hard. I felt the last two games we played exceptionally well as a team. It was a total team effort, not just two or three girls, but everyone.?