All it takes is one let-down to lose a game.
To prove this theory you have to look no farther than the Oak Harbor boys basketball team, who learned the lesson in its 65-54 loss to Mount Vernon earlier this week.
Pulling within one point, 35-34 in the third quarter, it appeared that the Wildcats were in the game. Then things went downhill for Oak Harbor, who was outscored 15-3 in the closing minutes of the quarter. The Bulldog scoring run proved to be the determining factor in the game.
“The third quarter was pivotal, we were outscored 20-10,” head coach Bryan Schulle said.
A major factor in the third quarter lapse was the fouling-out of Wildcat big-man Jon Jansen. The six-foot-six senior picked up his fifth and final foul midway through the third period, leaving Oak Harbor without its best rebounder and shot blocker the rest of the game.
“We need Jon to play and we’re going to risk losing him, as we did, in exchange for having an inside presence,” Schulle said. “It took our kids a few minutes to adjust without having him there.”
Unfortunately, for Oak Harbor that few minutes was enough to allow the Bulldogs to gather several second shot opportunities and pull away.
The leading scorer for Oak Harbor was senior Austin Fulgham with 20.
“Austin is achieving success by driving to the basket,” Schulle said. “It’s nice to have him as a scoring threat.”
Senior Mike Lacey also was a major contributor adding 13 points for the Cats.
“Mike Lacey exemplifies our program,” Schulle said. “He worked hard in the offseason to get better, worked his way into the starting lineup, shows up ready to practice, is active in our youth program and understands that playing varsity basketball is a privilege, not a right.”
The loss breaks a three game winning streak by Oak Harbor. Up next for the Cats is a home game at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24 against Stanwood, where they will begin their second half of league play.
“It’s fun to play a team a second time, making adjustments and in the case of teams that we lost to in the first round of games, go for a win.” Schulle said.
Oak Harbor— 12 15 10 17—54
Mount Vernon—14 16 20 15—65
Scoring—OH: Fulgham 20, Lacey 13, Raimundi 9, Jansen 7, White 3, Brown 2.
MV: Kendrick 20, Gibbons 13, Moore 10, Williams 10, Scott 10, Kutz 2.
