Securing the first Valley Oak League victory in three seasons for coach Justin Schwitters, the Oakdale varsity Lady Mustangs basketball team took down Sierra by a 42-32 victory in recent play.

“The game was one of runs. We were winning at the end of the first quarter, then Sierra went on a big run in the second quarter and took a 10 point lead to the half,” said coach Schwitters. “Alyssa Freeman kept us in the game in the first half with her play. She scored 10 of our 12 first half points. At the half we talked rebounds and effort into getting rebounds, limiting turnovers and not forcing shots after one pass and being patient.”

The team came out and put the suggestions into play, as they performed well.

“In the third quarter we rebounded well and took care of the ball so we outscored them by seven, which meant they took a 3-point lead into the fourth, but we liked were we were at,” Schwitters said.

In the fourth, Oakdale continued to rebound well and took care of the ball, which allowed them to outscore Sierra 16-3 in the quarter, cementing a 42-32 victory. “We had some big baskets, but the free throw line was where we made our money,” Schwitters noted. “We were 17-for-19 from the line in the second half, led by Christina Cobarruvias who was 8-for-8 and Courtney Rodgers who was 6-for-6. Both girls finished with 10 points and along with Allyssa Freeman who finished with 11.”

It was a solid team effort, said Schwitters, and a satisfying VOL victory.

“This week we play East Union and Weston Ranch, two teams that are picked to compete for the league title. So it will be a very big test for us, but it will allow us to see where we are at as a team,” the coach added.