As fast as it arrived, the basketball season is over. Oakdale High School’s boys and girls basketball seasons have come to end.
For the boys it was about growth and leadership. Under a new coaching staff that featured head coach Ryan Berg, and a group of determined seniors, Oakdale remained competitive and battled each game. The Mustangs varsity boys took on Escalon Friday night, May 14 at home where Escalon came away with a thrilling 58-53 road win. However, Oakdale made it a contest in the second half.
Down 32-19 at the half, the Mustangs went on a run that brought the crowd back to life. A 22-7 third quarter run had Escalon speechless and gave Oakdale a 41-39 advantage. Escalon pulled away late in the game and outscored Oakdale 19-12 in the final frame. Seven different players scored for Oakdale. Jonah Norman led the team with 17 points. Tanner Cusano scored 11. Jayden Coelho and Jake Kettering each scored nine points. Oakdale made nine three-point field goals in the contest, including Coelho who connected on a trio of them. As a team Oakdale shot 75 percent from the free throw line.
On Thursday night, the boys were in Escalon and, after falling down by a 38-18 halftime score, chipped away and got the lead down to four points during the fourth quarter. Host Escalon was able to hold on, 62-53, for a victory.
The boys ended their season with a road loss at Central Catholic, 54-46.
The Lady Mustangs turned in a successful season under coach Julie Ford. The team earned three wins this past week. They knocked off Escalon at home Thursday night, 53-18 and again in Escalon on Friday night, 45-32, while over the weekend they defeated Central Catholic 43-37. The team had eight seniors on their roster and went undefeated this year.
“We are so grateful that we got the opportunity to play this year, especially given there were eight seniors,” said Ford, who has coached the varsity since 2015. “The team overcame numerous challenges to finish with a 10-0 record. With every team member thriving in her role and contributing to the team’s success as well. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we won’t remember the games themselves five years from now, but we will remember the wonderful memories we shared with our team. This team’s chemistry and bond was special. I really could not have asked for a better last season at Oakdale and I am beyond grateful that I had the opportunity to coach such exceptional young women.”
