Goal-oriented Oxford gets defensive on Lahser
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
OXFORD — Looking up at the banners on the gymnasium walls, Mark Hazelwood and his teammates are reminded just how long it’s been since Oxford enjoyed a league championship in boys basketball.
So when Oxford entertained preseason OAA Gold Division favorite Bloomfield Hills Lahser Thursday with one league blemish already on its resume, the Wildcats made sure that it remained in the title hunt. Behind a stifling defensive effort, the contest ended with a 49-42 triumph over the Knights.
Oxford (8-3, 2-1) forced 19 turnovers and held Lahser to a 17-for-45 shooting performance.
“I know we’ve all talked about winning a league title,” said Hazelwood. “We know we have the talent to do it. Last week against (Birmingham) Groves, we didn’t play all that well. This was an important win for us.”
Oxford coach Paul Marfia has challenged his team about setting a legacy.
HERE'S THE SCOOP: Oxford's Mark Hazelwood slices through traffic past Bloomfield Hills Lahser's Andrew Gikas during Thursday's OAA Gold Division clash. Photo | Kirk Bearse, www.catsdenphoto.com
“We’ve talked about it. How these seniors want to be remembered,” said Marfia, who noted that the school has not won a league title since 1981. “Do they want to be the best team here? Do you want to win a league championship? The all-time record here is 17 wins. Do they want to accomplish that? We knew that we had to win. When we play well, we can play with anyone. I thought we played great defensively tonight and we were able to beat the team I think is the most talented, most athletic in the league.”
Lahser led 11-6 at the end of the first quarter. Oxford responded with a 15-4 second quarter run, holding the Knights to just two points during the final five minutes of the frame.
Oxford opened the third with another 13-4 run to go up 34-19 with 3:29 left in the quarter.
Lahser did cut the deficit down to seven points twice inside the final 2:55 of the game, but could get no closer. The Wildcats made 11-fo-16 free throw down the stretch to prevail.
“Last week we played three games in four days and we had exams this week, so I was very worried about this game,” said Lahser coach Dwayne Graves. “I think we came out kind of flat. I am proud of the way we fought back in the fourth quarter. This team does not give up. But we lost to a very god team. (Oxford) is well-coached and they were prepared tonight.”
Oxford landed three players in double figures. Hazelwood scored 15, making six free throws down the stretch, Jacques Touissant added 12 points and Michael Kitchner scored 10 for the Wildcats. Zach Raisch chipped in with four points and six rebounds and played some fine interior defense, along with Patrick James.
“It’s a little things that make the difference,” said Marfia. “The play of Zach Raisch and James Patrick. Their defense on their big guy (Yante Maten) was incredible. Raisch only scored four and Patrick didn’t have a point, but they made some great plays fronting their big men.”
Maten, Lahser’s 6-foot-7 sophomore center, finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots for Lahser. Junior guard Martez Jones added eight points and sophomore Khalil Gracey finished with seven points and five assists for the Knights.
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