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Varsity Girls Basketball Team Splits Games
JV Wins Two
JV coach Martin
Junior Varsity girls basketball head coach Cheri Martin talks with the team during a timeout. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

It was a week of mixed reviews for the Oakdale varsity girls basketball team.

Oakdale opened their Valley Oak League season on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at home against Kimball. In their home opener Oakdale came out flat and only scored 10 first half points to go into halftime down 33-10. The Lady Mustangs scored 12 points in the third quarter but only six in the fourth to lose by a final of 66-28. Caroline Hamilton scored nine points in the loss. Sarah Bohrer, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, made her return to the lineup and scored five points in the game.

Fast forward to Thursday night and it was an entirely different Lady Mustangs team. In the first half, Oakdale seemed destined to fall to 0-2 after trailing 32-15 at the break to Weston Ranch on the road. The Lady Mustangs rallied to score 20 points in the third quarter, connecting on six three-point field goals in the quarter. Oakdale held the Cougars to just five total points in the period to enter the fourth quarter down just 37-35. The Lady Mustangs continued to power their way in the final minutes as the girls outscored the Cougars 16-9 in the final frame to shock the hosts, 51-46. Bohrer scored 15 points in the win.

“I’m so proud of my team’s resolve and optimism,” Coach Julie Ford said. “Our team leaders displayed an unwavering confidence in the team and a never-quit attitude that fueled an impressive comeback in which every team member contributed to the win.”

With a 1-1 record in league play Oakdale (8-6, 1-1) traveled to Manteca on Tuesday night to take on East Union (7-6, 1-1) following The Leader’s press time. Oakdale will host second place Lathrop (9-4, 2-0) on Thursday night, Jan. 11 with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

A pair of wins has the junior varsity squad at 2-0 in Valley Oak League action thus far. Oakdale opened the league season with a 46-30 home win over Kimball on Tuesday night, Jan. 2 and followed that up with a big 57-35 road win over Weston Ranch. In the win, Kayden Legan connected on five three-point field goals and scored 19 total points in the win. Legan also added five assists. Kendra Branch scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds in the win. Oakdale traveled to take on the East Union Lancers on Tuesday night, Jan. 9 following press time. The JV girls return to the home court on Thursday, Jan. 11 when they take on Lathrop with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

 

FRESHMEN

The youngest of the three Lady Mustangs basketball teams went 1-1 this week to begin their VOL season. The team was victorious 28-24 at home against Kimball to start the season. Macie Gregory scored a team high eight points in the win. Alexia Martin contributed with five points. Two nights later the team fell to Weston Ranch on the road 38-20. Bailey Sexton scored seven points in the game. Oakdale played a road game at East Union on Tuesday, Jan. 9 following The Leader’s press time and will host Lathrop in a 4 p.m. contest on Thursday, Jan. 11.