Waterford Our Lady stymies Oxford in non-league rout
UP FOR TWO: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes senior guard Lauren Robak and the Lakers had no problems with OXford Tuesday in a 60-18 triumph. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotographer.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
OXFORD — Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes may not have its shooting touch or defensive schemes quite right in the early stages of the girls basketball season. That could be bad news for many of the Lakers’ opponents in the future.
Despite being off its game, Waterford Our Lady showed signs of its Class D state championship run Tuesday in a 60-18 rout of host Oxford in a non-league contest.
“We are still working things out,” admitted Lakes coach Steve Robak. “We thought our ball control was not very good in the first half. We missed a lot of opportunities. In the second half, we tried to get the girls a little more ball pressure and it turned into some easy layups and transition points.”
WOLL forced 29 Oxford turnovers to off-set a night where the Lakers made just 24-of-68 shots from the floor.
“I hope (our shooting improves). We have to many good shooters for it not to,” said Robak. “There will be nights when we don’t (shoot well), but also they can take it to the basket and do other good things to get some easy baskets when the shots are not falling.”
Senior Lauren Robak, headed for Oakland University, along with sophomore Eva Doetsch, were the instigators in the Lakers’ swarming defense. Robak finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a pair of blocks, while Doetsch added 12 points, eight boards, six steals and three assists for the Lakers.
Sophomore Lexi Robak added six points and five rebounds for WOLL, which sent 10 players into the scoring column.
The Lakers led 12-4 after the first quarter and the game quickly ballooned to double-digit lead early in the second frame.
Oxford graduated seven of its top 10 players from last year and had another player elect not to return. The learning process continued for the Wildcats against one of the state’s top small-school programs, which defeated Oxford in every facet of the game.
The Lakers also out-rebounded Oxford by a 43-28 margin and also swiped 16 passes.
“They’re defending (Class D) state champs for a reason,” admitted Oxford coach Al Poynter. “They are outstanding. They know each other as well as they know themselves. You could see it in how well they play together.
“On the fast break, they were pointing at one another,” continued Poynter. “We’re still learning, as we are a young team. Part of our journey is taking a step in that direction.”
Senior center Mikaela Parrish, one of just two seniors on the roster and the sole player that saw significant minutes last season, finished with five points and seven rebounds for Oxford.
“We hope to get better,” said Poynter. “Now, if late in the season we’re not, than that falls on (the coaching staff).”
The Wildcats (0-2) were held to a dismal shooting night of 7-for-43 from the floor, including 1-for-13 from beyond the three-point arc.
Oxford did not make a basket until there was 2:43 left in the first quarter and made just one bucket in the second frame in falling behind 26-7 at the half.
Turnovers were costly for Oxford, as they had 18 by the half.
“Big-time,” beamed Poynter of the turnovers. “When you are searching for roles, you’re trying to search for yourself and you’re still trying to figure out where everybody else will be as well. That’s got to improve. I think over time, it will. We can’t turn the ball over that many times.”
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Category: Oxford, Prep Wraps, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
