The Oxford Academy Lady Patriots Girls Basketball competed in the Ocean View Hawk Holiday Classic Tournament this past week.This tournament featured some of Orange County’s best basketball programs and was set to be a good test for the Lady Patriots who were riding momentum after finishing in second place in the Oxford tournament the prior week. Oxford was paired up to compete versus Dana Hills, El Toro, Irvine, and El Modena, large high schools that average having over 2,300 students, which is more than three times the size of Oxford Academy in Cypress. In the four games played in the Hawk Holiday Classic, Oxford finished 2-2 and placed 4thout of 10 teams in their division.The Lady Patriots had a strong showing proving they can compete against these larger schools.In fact, even in the two games Oxford lost, the team held a lead going into the 4thquarter. In the first game, Oxford stumbled versus Dana Hills as Oxford couldn’t hold onto a nine-point 3rdquarter lead and eventually fell to the Dolphins by a score of 62-56.Maddie Bloom from Dana Hills scored 33 points to lead the Dolphins to victory.Dana Hills would go undefeated in the tournament and win their division. Oxford bounced back in the second game with a victory over a strong El Toro team, which ended up being the Chargers only loss in the Ocean View tournament.The game was tight the whole way through and Oxford maintained a 39-38 lead at the end of the third quarter, before taking control of the game in the fourth quarter and finishing off the Chargers 61-55. Austyn Masuno had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the team and the Patriots also got nice scoring contributions from Jocelyn Lopez (10), Sophia Chan (8), Angie Gagnon (8), and Nicia De Santos (7). The 3rdgame on Friday night was against a tough Irvine High squad who possessed a big front court featuring two 6’0” forwards. After being tied at halftime, Oxford was able to pull away with solid defense, consistent free throw shooting, and controlling the boards.The Lady Patriots were 12 of 15 on free throws, and Masuno and Jocelyn Lopez dominated the boards and collected 14 second-half rebounds between them. Lopez was a catalyst in the 4th quarter scoring 7 of Oxford’s final 13 points to clinch the game for the Lady Patriots, 49-42. Guard Mylee Madrazo scored 12 points, Angie Gagnon chipped in 6 points, and Sophia Chan contributed a balanced stat line of 9 points, 3 rebounds 3 assists and 5 steals. The final game was a matchup between Oxford and El Modena. The first three quarters were dominated by Oxford as the Lady Patriots led 50-37. But the patriots got into foul trouble.In the 4thquarter, El Modena turned the game around and took a 64-60 lead with 10 seconds left in the game. Oxford miraculously managed to comeback and actually tied the score at 64-64. But that was short lived as El Modena was fouled with three seconds and was able to convert one of two free throws to seal a 65-64 victory for the Vanguards. “We are a young team and we showed in this tournament that Oxford can successfully compete against these larger schools.I am proud of the team’s progress so far and we will just continue to work hard andget better throughout the season,” Patriot Coach David Clifton said. Oxford Tournament Top Performers Over the four game tournament, Oxford averaged scoring over 59 points a game.Austyn Masuno was named the team’s MVP, while Sophia Chan earned honorable mention.Masuno averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals per game while Chan averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.Additional scoring came from Forward Jocelyn Lopez (10) who also averaged 6 rebounds per game, Angie Gagnon (8), Mylee Madrazo (6), Nicea De Santos (6), and Ashleigh Perez (3). Oxford Academy is now 5-3 on the season and will be competing in the Liberty Christian Tournament this week.The tournament will be the Lady Patriots final tune up before entering Academy League play Jan. 4.