With a win against Fairview 62-53 in the finals of the Allen Parish Tournament, Oakdale earned its seventh win of the season and matched the win total from a season before.
"Beating Fairview at Fairview is a tough task," said coach Dustin Howard. "They have been a strong program for at least two decades. They aren't used to losing in that building and they didn't go down without a fight."
Howard credited the win to Derrick Winfield who sent the game to overtime with two free throws. "Once we got it to overtime, we scored the first two possessions and took control. We were able to slow down and make them extend and guard us, something they hadn't done all game. We executed on both ends and finished them off."
Oakdale lost to Bolton at home 57-55 the next Monday night, and a night later travelled to Plainview and won 70-48 as Howard returned home. "Knowing that I am from Plainview, it didn't take much to motivate my guys for this one. It was nice to go back to Plainview where I coached at for four seasons."
"We really passed the basketball well in this game. We jumped on them pretty hard early and was up 23 at halftime. We played a lot of different lineups and really shared the basketball in the second half. It was afun game."
On the other side of the court, it was less of a fun game for Plainview coach Elliott West. "We did some good things and bad, "West said. "Dribble penetration killed us tonight and has been our biggest Achilles heel all year. It was a great learning experience for my boys because we are so young and inexperienced outside of three seniors."
Plainview was up 7-4 when Malcolm Pugh made both free throws making it a one point game. Raymond Guillory scored from beneath the basket to go up 8-7, and Oakdale extended the lead to 10-7 with 4:20 in the opening quarter. Oakdale was winning the game at the free throw line as the Warriors were already shooting 1-for-1 in the first quarter.
Winfield got the offensive rebound on a missed free throw and converted for the basket putting his team up 23-9. Plainview finished the first quarter with 11 fouls and trailed Oakdale 23-13. Guillory scored a three pointer from the top of the key giving his team a 41-13 advantage. The first half ended with Oakdale up 43-19.
Guillory scored another three pointer to go up 52-30, and Winfield ended a Plainview scoring run and made the score 54-34. Oakdale added to the score as the buzzer sounded at the end of the third quarter and lead 60-39.
"We have played seven games in the last nine days, its good to have a little break for much needed rest," Howard said. "We are 8-5 going into the break and getting better everyday. I can't wait for the second half of the season and the future of Oakdale Warrior basketball."
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