Oakdale in the midst of a three game losing streak

Oakdale in the midst of a three game losing streak
Coach Dustin Howard his Oakdale Warriors to hot start enjoying an 11-6 record including a 2-0 record in district as they defeated Pickering on their home court and Rosepine on the road. However, the Warriors fell on hard times losing their next three games.
The losing skid began with an overtime loss at Bunkie. "We lost a heartbreaker at Bunkie by two in overtime," Howard said. "Malcom Pugh hit a big three to send it to overtime, and I thought we were going to pull it out, but the ball didn't bounce our way this time. Our district is tough. Every game is a battle." The Warriors then faced Rapides in Glenmora and Many at home. Howard called these teams "the two toughest teams in the district (because) they both were quarterfinalists last year." "At Rapides was an environment that our young team wasn't quite ready for," Howard said. "That's a quality opponent with a great basketball tradition. They play so hard and so physical. You can't prepare for it. We cut the lead into the teens but we had dug our hole too deep. It will be fun when they come to our place later in the season." "I felt like Many is the best basketball team in our district, and the best team we have faced this season," Howard continued. "They really shot the ball well and played solid defense. They didn't have an obvious weakness. I thought we played some of the best basketball we have played lately in the second half. We challenged them at half time to show some mental toughness and they responded."
In the Many game, Oakdale faced a very physical line up with four players from the Tiger football team including senior quarterback Tabarius Garner, junior wide receiver Demarious Coleman, sophomore wide receiver Ni'kendrick Carter, and freshman tight end Alonzo Carter. All four are hovering around six feet tall and are averaging 178.75 pounds.
Garner is the smallest of the quarter coming in at five-feet 11-inches and 170-pounds, and the biggest of the bunch is Alonzo Carter at six-feet three-inches and 185-pounds. The physicallity of Many was no match for Oakdale as the Tigers won 74-56.
Howard does see some positives during his team's losing streak that gives him hope down the stretch. "We showed a lot of character and how bad my guys want to be great in the way we played in the second half (at Rapides)," he said. "We are headed in the right direction, but we weren't ready for Many just yet."