Frank Speziale

NEW BERLIN – A multitude of sloppy passes from the Oxford boys basketball team contributed to a Unadilla Valley win on senior night by a score of 55-43.

The point win for Unadilla Valley was capped off by a huge first period of play – as the Storm looked composed and in rhythm compared to the Blackhawks who saw reckless ball handling result in turnover after turnover in the very first period. UV secured the early 17-7 point lead, as Dante Dye cashed in a long three-pointer from the perimeter to raise the lead to 10 as time expired.

“We turned the ball over 11 times in five minutes,” Oxford head coach Tim Davis could be heard saying to his team after the second time out used in the first period.

Dye managed to score eight of his 12 total points in the first period. UV was led in scoring by non-other than Andrew Jackson, Jackson going 3-5 from the charity stripe, cashing in on one three-pointer for a team and game high of 18 points – senior Mason Mikalunas contributed 12 of his own points as a true monster under the basket, managing layup after layup.

The trio of UV scorers mentioned combined for 42 points – nearly outscoring Oxford in their efforts.

However, a sloppy start from Oxford was quickly corrected by coach Davis who rallied his Blackhawks to a 15 point second period – as Oxford managed to outscore UV 15-11 to take it to the half down 28-22.

For Oxford, they saw a majority f the scoring in the crucial second and third periods come from Adhi Viswanthan and Jason Davis. Viswanthan grabbed 10 of his 15 total points in the two periods; while Davis 10 of his 15 points as well in that span – Oxford managed 11 points to UV's 12 in the third to set up a eight minute final period with UV leading 40-33.

The Storm saw magnificent boundary shots from Dye and senior Cameron Ferguson – one a piece – while the likes of Jackson and Mikalunas continued their masterful run into the fourth, scoring five and two respectively. Senior Geoff Keach even decided to throw his name in the mix of scorers in the final eight minutes for UV – as the Storm managed to rally to a big 15 point fourth period to extend their once seven point lead to a win by 12 points at 55-43.