By STEPHEN GLOVER
For the Call
If Tigers had wings, the boys’ basketball team at Oakville Senior High would be soaring up near the stratosphere.
The team is riding a five-game win streak without yet having the opportunity to play on their home court.
Oakville (5-0) traveled to Lutheran South last Friday to get a taste of what it’s like to play on the road in a very spirited environment.
The Tigers overcame the rowdy environment to defeat the Lancers 60-46 for the Tigers’ fifth straight win on the road this season.
“What a great place to play a high school basketball game,” Oakville head coach Kenny Ash told the Call. “Our kids knew that it was going to be a tough game going into there.”
Four Tigers scored in double figures, following the lead of senior forward Casey Noll, who racked up 17 points and an incredible 17 rebounds against the Lancers.
“Drew (Martin) had gotten into foul trouble and Casey turned it on with some big three’s,” Ash said.
“For an individual game, 17 rebounds is a pretty incredible game,” the Oakville basketball coach noted.
Senior guard Matt McKiernan followed Noll in scoring, racking up 15 points for the black and gold.
“Matt really opened up the outside game for us and did a wonderful job,” Ash said. “He hit some early three’s in the game and that told Lutheran South that they were going to have to guard us on the inside and outside.”
Senior guard DeAndre Jackson put together a solid 12-point performance while Martin recorded 10 points and eight re-bounds in the win over the Lancers.
The Tigers face potentially their toughest game of the season this Friday when Lafayette comes to town for a Suburban West Conference showdown with championship implications.
Lafayette’s offense is primarily generated through Matt Lawrence, who averages 17.6 points per game, and Landon Shipley, who contributes 16.2 points per game. The scoring duo could provide several issues for the Tigers.
“Lafayette is coached by one of the craftiest coaches in the state,” Ash said. “I’ve watched them play twice and they’re a very talented team.”
Oakville’s home game against Lafayette starts at 7 p.m. Friday.
