On the Attack

Monday, 25 November 2013 15:37

They're back! The Oxford Attack U-14 boys basketball team opened their season this past weekend.

The Oxford Attack Under 14 Major Bantam Boys competitive basketball team won two of three games in their inaugural home friendly tournament in Woodstock this past weekend.

The Attack welcomed 5 new players to their team and along with 7 returning players, who all contributed to a successful start to their season.

The Attack opened the tournament by racing out to a large lead versus their nemesis, the Ancaster Magic, and then held on for a 60 – 54 victory. The Magic defeated the Attack in the gold medal game at the provincial championships last season. Brandon Cowan lead the way for the Attack with some hot shooting that included 7 3-pointers and 32 points overall. Callaghan Bullen controlled the backboards with 8 rebounds to go along with 9 points and point guard Liam Dempsey chipped in with 6 points, 3 steals and couple of assists. Cooper Gilson also got his first basket as a member of the Attack. The Attack are a relatively small group and worked together to control the Magic’s 6’2” player that has caused them trouble in previous games. Quinten Quackenbush-Schneider, Bullen and Lucas Gagnon all played excellent defense in the low post against taller opposition.

The Attack next faced another familiar opponent in the Orangeville Hawks and could not overcome the Hawks full court pressure defense and fell 55 – 47. The Attack were plagued with turnovers all game long and could not get consistent stops on defense to mount a comeback. Cubby Dempster had 8 points including 2 3-point shots and Ben Jentz broke into the scoring column for the Attack netting 4 points.

The Attack played their final game against another full court pressing team, the Hamilton Wildcats, limited their turnovers from their previous game and came away with a 67 – 59 victory. Matthew Keith nailed 7 points while Ibrahim Taha had his first multiple basket game for the Attack with 6 points. Cowan chipped in 25 points to lead the team. Adam ‘box out’ Bullen garnered 5 rebounds while Zachary Dykeman improved his defense on opposing teams’ guards in every game.

The Oxford Attack players of the tournament were the Attack’s 5 newest players (Jentz, Taha, Dykeman, Gilson and Keith) who played in their first ever competitive basketball games and improved their defense and confidence over the entire tournament.

Next up for the Attack is sanctioned tournament in London on December 6th and 7th.