Oakdale High varsity boys basketball coach Jeremy Fields has a special place in his heart for the six Oakdale High seniors he has mentored through the boys basketball program for four seasons. Not only were they his first crop of freshmen to instruct, but also this year’s standout leaders in a varsity program that has played through a roller coaster season in 2010-11.

Daniel Linder, one of the famed six, put everything on the line for his last game in the Mustang gymnasium on Tuesday during a big win, 59-45, over Lathrop. Linder scored a season high 14 points in front of an excitable Mustang crowd, and slashed and cut his way through Lathrop’s full-court press when Oakdale needed it most.

Linder’s game high performance during the last home game of his career earns him Athlete of the Week honors from The Leader for his efforts.

He joined Mustang teammates in an important Valley Oak League finale at Sonora on Friday to close the regular season.