OXFORD- The annual Oxford varsity girl’s basketball tournament began yesterday, Dec. 29. The event featured four schools: Oxford, Greene, Afton and Walton.

The second game of the day featured the hosts Oxford taking on Walton. The Blackhawks suffered their eighth loss of the season on a score line of 52-16.

Walton came out of the tunnel fired up and ready to go as they jumped out to a quick eight point lead. “We came out a little lethargic. Walton came out and scored those eight points in the first minute and a half. They hit two three pointers. They came out and played really well. We have to give them credit, they came out and made plays,” said Oxford head coach Chris Palmer.

The Warriors continued their dominance throughout the quarter, outscoring the Blackhawks 18-5. Walton number 10, Kelsey Smith, hit seven of her 10 points in the quarter.

As they entered the second quarter, Walton did not relent. They finished the quarter on a high note with number 14 Carissa Crandall draining a three pointer to put them up by 18 points at the half, 27-9.

Oxford didn’t fare much better in the second half. The Blackhawks didn’t score a point in the third quarter until the final minute and in the fourth they were outscored 19-3.

The star of the game was Olivia Harby, who netted a game high 19 points for the Warriors, with seven coming in the fourth quarter.

Blackhawks number 11, Leah Karn, was their standout player of the night, netting seven of Oxford’s 16 total points.

“I think the best thing we can do is look forward to tomorrow and the next game,” said Palmer. “We have to come out with some energy. I think we have to come out with some enthusiasm for the game of basketball. That has to be our starting point. Of course, we have to play better fundamentally, in every aspect of the game, but it has to start with some enthusiasm. Come out with some energy and effort.”

The Blackhawks will play Afton tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation game while Greene, who beat Afton in the first game of the day, will take on Walton for the Championship at 6:30 p.m.

Oxford: S. Hodge, 1 0-0-2; K. Roys, 0, 1-2-1;J. Murrer, 1 0-0-2; L. Karn, 2 2-2-7; H. Ryan, 1 0-0-2; R. Seiler, 1 0-0-2. Walton: Kimmie Huntress, 1 0-2-3; Kelsey Smith, 4 0-0-10; Kate Macguire, 2 3-3-7; Hannah Wagner, 0; Carissa Crandall, 1 0-0-3; McKenzie Clough, 4 2-4-10; Olivia Harby, 5 9-14-19.

Score by quarter:

Team 1 2 3 4 Total

Oxf 5 4 4 3 16

Wal 18 9 6 19 52

Norwich