The poor shooting continued for the Oxford Varsity Girls basketball team when they opened their final season in the Flint Metro League at home with a disappointing 36-22 loss against Clio on Friday, Dec. 11.
The Wildcats scored four quick points to open the game, but Clio clamped down defensively and Oxford missed numerous open shots before finally scoring again with five minutes left in the first half.
At halftime, Clio led 9-8.
The offenses finally started to click in the third quarter, with Clio outscoring the Wildcats 13-8 to take a 22-16 lead. The girls kept the game close for much of the final quarter, trimming Clio’s lead to one, 23-22.
However, Clio clamped down again and held the Wildcats scoreless over the final three minutes, pulling away for the victory.
Even though he was disappointed in the teams shooting, Head Coach Al Poynter was pleased with his team’s defense. ‘Our girls played outstanding defense tonight. I am very proud of their effort against a very good offensive team,? he said.
‘We just couldn’t get the ball in the basket. We had some very makeable shots.?
Senior Megan Tilley led the team with seven points and senior Allie Laidlaw chipped in six points. Senior Taylor Medel was aggressive all night, pulling down 12 rebounds and blocking four shots.
The girls were back at it Monday when they hosted Flint Kearsley.
After struggling to score again in the first half, the girls finally found their stroke, scoring 30 points in the second half en route to a 43-17 victory over the Hornets.
The defense also stepped up, holding Kearsley to one third quarter point and six in the fourth. Tilley led the team again in scoring with nine points, Medel had six points and 10 rebounds and freshman Shelby Davis had six points and seven rebounds.
‘Our defense has been excellent since the first quarter of the Troy game, and we finally broke out of our offensive slump,? said Poynter. ‘If we keep defending the way we have been and get some baskets here and there, we are going to continue to be difficult to beat.?
The Wildcats up their record to 1-3 overall, 1-1 in the Flint Metro League. The girls travel to Lapeer West on Friday, Dec 18 before taking two weeks off for Christmas break.