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Championship season for Oakdale’s freshman hoop girls
Frosh girls
Oakdale’s freshmen put together an outstanding basketball season; the girls compiled a 15-5 overall record and earned the championship of the Valley Oak League, going 7-1 in league play. Here, they pose with head coach Ken Baptista. Photo Contributed

With a 15-5 overall record and a 7-1 showing in the Valley Oak League, the Oakdale High School freshman girls basketball team earned the VOL championship.

“This is the first time this has happened as far back as I could find through Maxpreps, which goes back to the 2014-2015 season,” head coach Ken Baptista said of the frosh team bringing home the title.

It is also the best overall freshman record as far back as the Maxpreps records go, Baptista added.

Along with the VOL title, the girls were the East Union Freshmen Tournament Consolation Bracket Champions.

“Offensively we were led by point guard Avery Cornett who averaged just over 10 points a game and forward Reeson Farmer who averaged five points and five rebounds a game,” said Baptista. “Defensively the team was led by Aubrey Sibley who averaged two steals a game and Sophia Leslie who led the team in rebounds with six a game.”

Helping guide the team were its captains, Leighton Musick and Olivia Burns.

“Both demonstrated positive leadership and were floor generals,” the coach said, adding that they also provided emotional support for their teammates.

Also, Audrey Avila, Lexy Estrada, and Nataly Espinoza all contributed off the bench on the boards, while Naomi Patiga and Andrea Pina contributed each game defensively at the guard positions.

“An early season loss in overtime at Ripon helped build determination for this team,” Baptista pointed out. “Tough road victories at Golden Valley, Turlock, and Ripon Christian put the Lady Mustangs in the right mindset for VOL league play.”

Once they got into league, the girls played extremely well and it was only a late season loss at Manteca that meant the final game of the season against Mountain House at Oakdale was a winner-take-all game for the VOL title.

“Game was tied at half but great defense, rebounding, and timely shooting helped the Mustangs pull out the victory 44-26,” Baptista said of earning the title. “This team fully bought into defense and ball movement. We outworked the other teams on defense and through rebounding the basketball. Every one of these young ladies helped the team become champions each and every game. I am so proud of how they worked throughout the season.”