OXLEY High School bowed out of State CHS Girls’ Basketball Knockout contention in a nail-biting two-point overtime loss in Bathurst yesterday.
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Playing an older and more experienced side, the Tamworth side, which suited up just seven players, lost 53-51 after five minutes of extra time.
Oxley coach, Warrick James, thought it an awesome display from his young side, which had led for all bar the first couple of minutes and the last 18 seconds of normal time.
“Bathurst scored first but then Rachel (James) hit a three-pointer and we led for the rest of the game until that final 18 seconds.
“We got called for an illegal screen and they hit one of the two free throws to send the game into overtime. It was only 4-2 in overtime as both sides went hammer and tongs at each other trying to find winning baskets.
“It was an awesome display from the Oxley girls. We had Year 8, 9 and 10 girls and just two Year 12 girls against a team of mainly Year 12 girls too. But the girls were awesome, never gave up. Played above their age, experience and maturity. They really deserved to win it but a bit of fatigue and panic at the end didn’t help. And we got called for two illegal screens that I thought were bad calls. But that’s it. I couldn’t be any prouder of them all.”
Rachel James led the way for Oxley, knocking down 28 points. Amelia Dadd score eight, Georgia Flemming and Natalie Vinall six apiece, Tammy Pittman two and Paris Sharp one.
“Our only non-scorer was Maddy Dadd but she played exceptionally well in defence.”
Rachel James’ big sporting week continues today as she takes her place in the North West girl’s netball side playing in the State CHS Netball Carnival in Coffs Harbour.
That Kirstie Fuller-managed side is just one of three North West sides the North West Schools Sports Association has at State Carnivals this week.
The North West boys’ secondary hockey side begins its State Carnival in Unanderra today and North West primary boys’ football side begins its State Carnival in Camden.
NW BOYS HOCKEY: Will Haywood, Andrew Finch, Blake Turner, Harry Lewin (Oxley), David Willis, Tom Smith, Josh Worpel, Matt Sing (Tamworth), Jock Evans, Mitchell Sheppeard, Tim Mitchell, Laarn White (Farrer), Alex Brown (Armidale), Darby Chalmers (Duval). Manager - Peter Yeo (Oxley).
NW GIRLS NETBALL: Olivia Eastburn, Makayla Munns, Lakeyia Wood (Coonabarabran), Rachel James (Oxley), Taylor Skelton (Manilla), Sara Westman (Peel), Chelsea Hindmarsh, Kaitlin Driscoll, Ashlee Monckton (Inverell), Simone Thompson (Macintyre). Manager - Kirstie Fuller (Glen innes).
NW PRIMARY BOYS FOOTBALL: Lachlan Maher, Lachlan Wilson, Nathan Su, Joey Mead (Tamworth South), Daniel Peel (Oxley Vale), Sam Soper (Narrabri), Chris Taggart, Jeremiah Barbara (Tamworth), Mangarchot Maluach (Armidale City), Marley Lynch, Senden Grieves (Ben Venue), Dominik Short, Zac Griffin (Gunnedah South), Thomas Woodham (Narrabri). Manager - Leonoie MacGregor (Armidale City).
