Oakdale High School may still be on winter break from academic classes, but its varsity and junior varsity boys basketball teams hit the hardwood in the annual Oakdale Rotary Classic tournament over the holiday break.

The three-day tournament began on Friday, Dec. 26 with both the JV and varsity teams falling to Trans-Valley League team Hughson. The Huskies earned a 69-56 victory over the host Mustangs in the varsity game, played on Friday night. Oakdale ran out to a 23-17 lead after one but that was the only quarter in which they had the upper hand, as Hughson went on a 15-6 run in the second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime lead.

The Huskies also outscored Oakdale, 11-9, in the third and 26-18 in the fourth quarter, for the 69-56 win.

Earlier, the Mustang varsity boys traveled to former Valley Oak League rival Sonora on Monday, Dec. 22 and took a tough loss on the road, 58-55.

Leading 47-41 after three quarters, the Mustangs could not hold off the host Wildcats, outscored 17-8 in the final frame, ultimately losing by three.

Oakdale’s JV boys, meanwhile, opened up the Oakdale Tournament against Hughson as well on Dec. 26 and fell by a 41-30 final. Starting strong, the JV boys had a lead at the half but the Huskies found their game and poured it on, outscoring the Oakdale team 31-9 over the final two periods.

Additional games were slated Saturday for the JV and varsity Mustangs and the three-day tournament wrapped up on Monday, Dec. 29 with the final contests in the tourney played following sports press time for The Leader. Look for full results in the Jan. 7 edition.

The Mustang boys are scheduled to begin their Valley Oak League play with a pair of road games, when all three levels play on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Sierra, and Thursday, Jan. 8 at Kimball. Tipoff for the freshman boys in those contests is set for 4:15 p.m.; with the junior varsity at 5:45 p.m.; and the varsity game to follow at 7:15 p.m.