OTEGO – The Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team concluded the 2023-2024 season against Unatego/Franklin on Thursday evening. While it was a high-scoring game, Oxford fell 74-65 in the second half. Oxford finished the season with a 7-12 record.
Both teams had a hot start with Oxford blowing away their opponent 41-32 at halftime. First half efforts were led by a strong second quarter, posting 23 points before the break. Donovan Rickard and Sam Hendricks both had eight points in the quarter while Jared Sheridan added five.
However, Oxford lost its lead in the second half as Unatego/Franklin outscored them 42-30 in the final 16 minutes. Rickard finished with 14 points with two three-pointers as Hendricks had 13 points with three three’s. Caden Rifanburg added 12 points with most coming in the second half while Ben Sheridan finished with 10 points in the loss.
Good luck to seniors Sylas Emerson, Eli Bennett, Aidan Amin, and Ryan Humphreys.
Scores by quarter:
OX 18 23 14 16–65
U/F 11 21 20 22–74
OX: Donovan Rickard 14, Sam Hendricks 13, Caden Rifanburg 12, Ben Sheridan 10, Jared Sheridan 7, Eli Bennett 7, Kyle Benjamin 2.
U/F: Xander Johnson 28, Braeden Johnson 22, Chase Birdsall 15, Reese James 7, Jakob Sargent 2.
Three-pointers: OX 11 (Hendricks 3, Rickard 2, Rifanburg 2, B Sheridan 2, J Sheridan, Bennett); U/F 9 (Birdsall 5, X Johnson 3, James).