The Oxford Wildcats? boys basketball team got off to a great start in the season opener with a 43-35 victory over Hamtramck but then faltered in a matchup against Lake Orion.
In the Hamtramck game, Coach Paul Marfia said his team looked good against a very athletic Hamtramck squad.
‘We did some good things and we have a few things to work on to get better,? he said. ‘This was a great start for us.?
Connor Elzerman and Robert Norfolk led the Wildcats with 11 points each. Nathan Brubaker had five points and seven rebounds while point guard Mike Censullo had six steals, four assists and eight points.
Things didn’t go as well when the Wildcats faced Lake Orion on Friday night.
Oxford failed to score in the first period against the Dragons and turned the ball over on its first six possessions. Lake Orion built a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and won easily, 60-21.
‘Our defense was average and good at times,? Marfia said. ‘But, our offense was offensive. We had some open looks that just rattled out.?
Mitchel Tilley led the scoring for Oxford with nine points by connecting on a trio of three-point shots. Brubaker and Elzerman each scored four points.
The Wildcats committed 18 turnovers in the game and never scored more than eight points in any quarter.
Marfia was not discouraged and said the team showed great effort.
‘I like the resolve of our kids and we will get better as we get more experience. We will go back to work and get better. We will continue to improve and be better for our next game versus Almont.?