The 2016-2017 girls basketball season came to a close on Tuesday night, Feb. 14 for Oakdale. On a night where three seniors were honored for their contributions and career with the team, Oakdale (13-14, 3-11) fell to first place Manteca (16-10, 13-1) by a final score of 63-46.
Before tipoff, Alejandra Vargas, Madison Brewer and Kirsten Murphy were all honored for Senior Night 2017.
“It was an emotional night. We, the seniors, were a part of Coach Ford’s first group of players at the junior varsity level and we were also members of her first varsity team as well,” Brewer said. “It was a night that I won’t forget.”
In the loss Brewer scored a team high 18 points and also contributed seven rebounds.
“Our seniors were a great asset to the team this year,” Coach Ford praised. “They were willing to fill their roles, which made our team gel well together and be successful.”
Oakdale kept the final game close through the first three quarters, as the Lady Mustangs entered the fourth quarter down just 41-34. Manteca’s offense proved to be too much for Oakdale and finished the game on a 22-12 run. It was the fourth consecutive loss for Oakdale to end the season.
“This year was a step forward for our program. We were a very young team, with a freshman, three sophomores, and a junior typically starting for us,” noted Ford. “The growth over the course of the season was exciting to watch as players’ skills and abilities developed. Our JV team did a fantastic job this year, and I’m very proud of their development and play. The future is very promising.”
Oakdale finished the season in sixth place in the Valley Oak League.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Valentine’s Day proved to be a nice one for the JV team as Oakdale won 41-33 over Manteca. Caroline Hamilton posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for Oakdale, while Hallie Morton put up eight points and eight rebounds. Madelyn Ruthman also made an impact for Oakdale in the win with five assists and three steals.
“This has been a great group of girls to coach these last two years. They have continued to work hard and improve every week,” said head coach Cheri Martin. “Last year they finished 13-14 overall and 7-7 in league as freshmen, their hard work and dedication to this team has certainly benefited each one of them as players and this team as a whole. I am looking forward to seeing them play at the varsity level next year.”
FRESHMEN
The youngest of the Oakdale Lady Mustangs suffered a difficult 57-20 home loss to Manteca to end their season. The frosh girls finished 2-8 in Valley Oak League play.
