Hope still afloat for Oaks Christian boys’ basketball

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It seemed as if Oaks Christian Coach Tom Roanhaus was taking awhile to talk with his players after their 67-64 loss to Santa Clara tonight/Monday, and I was expecting his players to exit their post-game locker-room talk with a look of dejection.

Now the Lions weren’t exactly clicking their heels or anything when they walked back into the gym through the big, red doors, but they seemed upbeat about their performance. Sure, the 13 turnovers hurt and losing one at home isn’t going to make things easier when the Lions hit the road for a trip to Oxnard next month. Still, this team was keeping things positive in the post-game chats.

‘Obviously, we’re disappointed, but we know we can play with them,’ said Oaks Christian forward Matt Johnson, who netted 16 points. ‘I think this team can go as far as we want to go as long as we play the way we know we can.’

Johnson is right. Oaks Christian fell short in this one, but a few less turnovers and a couple more offensive rebounds could have made all the difference. The Tri-Valley League title is definitely still up for grabs and the Round 2 matchup between Oaks Christian and Santa Clara should be a thriller.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image from hslionsden.tripod.com