It is very early in a long season for the boys’ varsity basketball team. Under first year head coach Hondo Arpoika, the boys have hit early season woes after their 54-26 home loss to Gregori on Saturday night, Dec. 19.

Coming off a 65-39 road loss to Atwater, the boys returned home to take on the fast paced Jaguars. Reece Noordeweir’s first basket of the game gave Oakdale a quick 2-0 lead but the advantage was short lived as Gregory delivered a heavy blow to the Mustangs, going on a 21-0 run. Gregori’s 21-0 run was ended when Tyler Fuentes slashed to the hoop and made a finger roll with 22.3 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Mustangs found themselves in a 30-6 hole that was broken up on an Adam Olsen jumper, scoring Oakdale’s first points of the second quarter with 2:13 remaining in the half. Oakdale finished the half on a 4-0 run to go into the locker room down 30-10.

Olsen and company made a valiant effort to salvage the evening when he made a finger roll scoop to the hoop to cut the Jaguar lead down to 39-14 with 1:27 left in the third. Moments later made a deep three ball by Jaylen Fogelman off a turnover brought the Mustangs to a 39-17 disadvantage. Oakdale nearly matched Gregori point for point in the third quarter, only being outscored 11-10.

Gregori opened the final quarter on a 9-0 run that was stopped by Olsen who made a pair of free throws with 3:36 left in the game. Olsen led the Mustangs with 12 points and finished with three rebounds and a steal. Noordeweir added five rebounds, four points and a steal. Nick Woody had a strong defensive presence for the Mustangs as he pulled down four boards.

Oakdale (0-5) looked to get its first win against former league rival Sonora (5-3) on Monday night, Dec. 21. The game was held after The Leader’s press time. Oakdale was also scheduled to travel to Merced on Tuesday evening, Dec. 22. The Mustangs host their annual three-day Oakdale Rotary Tournament beginning Monday, Dec. 28.