Senior Night 2017 began on a high note for the eight senior varsity Mustang basketball boys, as they were honored prior to tip-off. However, by the end of the evening, the team on the court was not celebrating as Oakdale fell 83-42 to visiting Central Catholic (19-7, 10-3) on Friday night. Oakdale kept it close in the first half but were outscored 54-22 over the third and fourth quarters, sending the Mustangs to their fifth straight league loss. Earlier in the week the boys fell to Lathrop (15-11, 7-6) on the road by a final of 66-36.
Oakdale’s eight seniors were Ty Fuentes, Joseph Lutz, Blake Whiting, Zach Miller, Dallon Barfield, Zack Tamburrino, Nick Woody and Reece Noordewier. In honor of Senior Night, Fuentes, Tamburrino, Whiting and Woody made the start along with junior Jace Krick. Combined, the seniors scored 17 points led by Woody, who scored seven points.
“This was not the way we wanted to go out. But the support of our families, friends and even teammates have meant a lot to us,” guard Fuentes said. “I’ve played Mustangs basketball all four years, two years on varsity and it’s a family. This is something I am really going to miss.”
Oakdale (4-23, 1-12) finishes out the season at first place Manteca (21-5, 13-0) tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 15 with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Tough times continue for the junior varsity boys as the team fell to Central Catholic 57-43 at home Friday night.
FRESHMEN
Two games, two victories for the youngest of the Mustang hoopsters. On Wednesday, Feb. 8 the freshman boys edged Lathrop 35-33 on the road behind Steven Morris’s 17 points. Oakdale carried their momentum to Friday night’s game with a 56-47 home win over Central Catholic. Peyton Bradford had 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for Oakdale. Also making an impact was Michael Echaverria, who scored 11 points and dished out 10 assists in the win.
“It was the best week of defense we have had all year which led to our offensive output,” head coach Grant Miller said of the team’s successful week.
