Sadie O'Flaherty readies to shoot a basket at the Venturacci Gym.
Oasis Academy’s girls’ basketball team won its first home game of the season, Monday, when the Excel Christian Lady Warriors forfeit at halftime, 28-1.
The Lady Bighorns dominated the court. The first quarter was almost a sweep as Brooklyn Whitaker, Sadie O’Flaherty and Janelle Pike scored; Excel’s Emily Barrera provided the only point for the Lady Warriors, 12-1. Oasis swept the second quarter, overwhelming Excel’s offense.
O’Flaherty led Oasis’s efforts with 11 points and one three-pointer. Whitaker and Pike were close behind with eight and six points respectively. Taryn Barrenchea contributed three points including one free throw.
Oasis coach Dusty Casey noted Excel Christian was at a disadvantage with players out on injuries or winter break. He said it would have been better had it been a more even competition.
“I hate to see that though, it’s not good for any of them,” Casey said of how hard the game hit Excel. “I think their injuries were kind of limiting them … there’s only so much you can do.”
Casey said Oasis played well on defense and they shot the ball better. He noted how young the Lady Bighorns are and how they’re gaining experience.
The Lady Bighorns also played against Tonopah’s Lady Muckers Saturday, losing 50-42. Tonopah won the first quarter, 9-5; the Lady Bighorns took off in the second, however, and outscored Tonopah, leading at halftime 19-9.
In the third quarter the Lady Muckers bounced back to a 19-8 quarter, taking a 28-27 lead. In the final quarter, Tonopah pulled away.
Whitaker was a leader on the scoreboard, with 26 points. O’Flaherty added 12 points. Sequoya Casey and Mariah Snooks each scored two points.
Casey said it was a tough game. He said Oasis struggled with Tonopah’s second half pressure.
“We started throwing the ball away too much in the fourth quarter,” Casey said. “It got a little too far away from us, our turnovers led to easy layups for them.”
He said the team is excited for their second match against Tonopah, though. The coach said with another month of experience, it will be another close game.
Casey said the Lady Bighorns needed to work on handling pressure of a press. He said they also need to work on defensive rebounds and not giving up second shots.
The Oasis girls’ basketball team plays Saturday in Smith Valley, then hosts Silver Stage Tuesday.