Two games, two losses for the Oakdale High School varsity boys’ basketball team.
The Mustangs dropped a pair of Valley Oak League (VOL) games this past week, falling to visiting first place Weston Ranch (20-4, 11-0) 69-42 and following that up with a lack luster performance on the road to Kimball, (9-14, 3-8) losing 63-34.
The Mustangs (1-23, 0-11) hosted the first place Cougars on Wednesday, Feb. 3 where things got out of hand early. A three point field goal by senior Mitch McDonald gave the Mustangs a 3-2 advantage with 6:33 left in the opening quarter. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the Cougars finished the quarter on a 19-4 run to put Oakdale into a 21-7 hole entering the second quarter. Sophomore Jace Krick scored four of Oakdale’s seven first quarter points.
McDonald, who has been Oakdale’s sharpshooter from downtown this season, connected on back to back three point shots with 5:31 left in the half to trim the Cougars lead to 25-13. McDonald finished with a team high 13 points, scoring nine of them in the first half. Krick got the crowd into the game with a pass from the top of the key to a waiting Adam Olsen under the rim who completed a three point play after being fouled on the attempt. That sequence left it 29-17 Cougars with 4:18 left in the half. Much like they did during the first quarter, the Mustangs defense could not keep pace with the high flying Cougar offense. Weston Ranch, led by senior Jalen Ragsdale’s game high 15 points (all in the first half) closed out the half on a 16-4 run to take a commanding 45-21 halftime lead.
Oakdale’s struggles did not go away in the second half, as they fell behind 60-30 after three quarters of play. Weston Ranch fans who made the trip were treated to a fourth quarter dunk-a-thon when six foot, two inch junior Elijah Harper pulled away from the Mustangs on a fast break one handed dunk to give Weston Ranch a 64-32 fourth quarter led with 4:51 left in regulation. Oakdale finished the quarter strong, though, outscoring Weston Ranch 12-9 in the final eight minutes. This surge was led by Dallon Barfield and Nick Woody, who helped carry the Mustangs during the final stretch. Oakdale’s defense turned into offense on the final four possessions of the game, as the Mustangs stopped the Cougars on four straight trips up the floor and answered with eight unanswered points of their own to finish the game out on an upswing.
The Mustangs wrap up the season this week. Oakdale looks to play spoiler to some playoff hopefuls as they host Manteca (19-5, 8-3) on Wednesday, Feb. 10. On Friday, Feb. 12 the team welcomes Central Catholic (19-4, 8-3) to town for Senior Night 2016. The team will honor their trio of seniors: Olsen, McDonald and Maximillian Renner prior to tipoff, which is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 17 Oakdale hits the road to close out the season at East Union (11-12, 3-8).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Coach Don Muniz reports that the boys fell to the visiting Weston Ranch Cougars, 60-41 this past week, with Jordan Kraude leading the JV Mustangs with 10 points. They also fell to Kimball, 65-36, in VOL play, getting nine points from Drew Legan. Oakdale looks to close out the season strong with their final three games of the season. Oakdale hosts two of their final three games, when they welcome Manteca on Wednesday and Central Catholic on Thursday, Feb. 11. The team’s season finale will be at East Union on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. for all three games.
FRESHMEN
The youngest of the boys hoopsters are recovering from a pair of Valley Oak League losses. The team fell to Weston Ranch 55-22 and then were blown out by Kimball. Jensen Mauchley led the Mustangs with a five point effort against Weston Ranch. Oakdale has three games remaining in the 2015-2016 campaign. Oakdale hosts Manteca on Wednesday and Central Catholic on Thursday, Feb. 11. The frosh boys will be at East Union on Wednesday, Feb. 17 for their finale. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. for all three contests.
