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Rough Season Nearly Over For Mustangs
seniors
A trio of Mustangs were celebrated prior to the Central Catholic game on Friday. From left, Maximillian Renner, Mitch McDonald and Adam Olsen were honored for their services in the varsity boys basketball program. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

 

The 2015-2016 OHS boys varsity basketball season has been a struggle to say the least. With one game remaining in the season, the Mustangs are still searching for their first league win after dropping a pair of Valley Oak League games this past week. Oakdale (1-25, 0-13) fell to Manteca (21-4, 10-3) on the road 62-12 and followed up with a 69-24 home loss to Central Catholic (21-4, 10-3) on Friday night, Feb. 12.

After their rough road loss, the boys returned home for Senior Night 2016 to host the Raiders. Prior to tipoff the team, as well as the community, honored Oakdale’s three senior varsity players. Adam Olsen, Mitch McDonald and exchange student Maximillian Renner were all brought to center court to a loud ovation by the crowd that was in attendance.

The Mustangs offense, which did not score in the final quarter of the road loss, also started sluggish against the Raiders. Oakdale scored their first field goal of the game with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter as sophomore Nick Woody overcame a double team under the rim. Woody’s double fake pump fooled the two Raiders and Woody made the put back. He scored all four of Oakdale’s first quarter points as Oakdale went down 19-4 at the end of the first quarter.

A resurgence of the Mustang offense appeared early in the second quarter as they began the quarter on a 6-2 run after a jumper by sophomore Jace Krick closed the gap to 21-10. A frustrated Central Catholic head coach, Mike Wilson vocalized his displeasure with his team’s lack of defense and called timeout with 4:09 remaining in the first half. Following the timeout, the momentum appeared to shift to the visitors as Central Catholic buckled down on defense and cashed in on second chance points as they went on a 9-1 run forcing Oakdale to call timeout with 1:06 to play in the second quarter. Down 31-11 with the game clock winding down and a hand in his face, Olsen fired up a corner three pointer that found its way between the nylon with 0.03 seconds left to play in the half. Oakdale entered the half down 31-14.

Much like the first quarter, Oakdale’s offense struggled in the second half. The lone highlight of the Mustangs third quarter came on a Woody three point play where he slashed his way through the lane, where he was fouled in midair and his layup kissed the glass and fell in with 2.9 seconds left in the third quarter. Woody went to the charity stripe and completed the three point play. He finished the game with 10 points and one steal. Oakdale trailed 53-22 at the end of the third quarter.

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, things went from bad to worse in the fourth quarter. Oakdale’s season long struggle was apparent as the team scored only two points in the final frame. Junior guard Dallon Barfield scored the team’s only field goal on a jumper with 5:41 left in regulation. Central Catholic outscored Oakdale 16-2 in the final quarter.

Oakdale’s season comes to a close on the road, Wednesday Feb. 17 at East Union (11-14, 3-10). East Union defeated Oakdale 70-43 back in January, but the Lancers have lost six straight games heading into the season finale. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

The learning curve continues for the JV boys. As the season is winding down, Oakdale stayed competitive this week, but could not find a way to get the “W.” In the team’s home loss to Manteca, the boys fell 71-68 on Wednesday night. A trio of Mustangs scored in double digits on the night as Andrew Munoz led the team with 15 points and teammates Drew Legan added 11 and Junior Rodin put up 10 points for Oakdale. The following night Legan posted a 29 point effort for the Mustangs but the team could not keep pace with Central Catholic in the 76-67 loss. Munoz scored 11 points, and teammates Jordan Kraude and Cesar Garcia each had seven points against the Raiders. The Mustangs wrap up the season at East Union on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with tipoff scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

 

FRESHMEN

The boys were in action this week but no scores were reported to The Leader by press time. Oakdale finishes the season at East Union on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with tipoff scheduled for 4:15 p.m.