New Oxford boys continue strong run
New Oxford's boys' basketball team continued its run of strong play Monday night.
The Colonials picked up a 76-47 road win against Littlestown for their sixth win in the past eight games. They've gone 7-4 since starting the year losing their first six games.
Monday, the Colonials connected on 12-of-29 (41 percent) from beyond the arc and 28-of-58 (48 percent) overall in posting a season-high in points.
"Our guys played very unselfishly tonight. They were making the extra pass very well. Passing up good shots for great shots," New Oxford head coach Sean Bair said. "We're playing really well, and as long as we stay healthy, we can give ourselves a chance in every game we have left."
New Oxford (7-10) trailed briefly in the opening quarter when Brady Topper's 3-pointer gave the Thunderbolts a 5-3 lead. A little more than a minute later, a 3-pointer by Jordin Brown put the visitors ahead to stay, 8-5.
The Colonials finished the frame on a 19-4 run that was capped by Ben Lehman's 3-pointer from the left corner that just beat the quarter horn and gave New Oxford a 22-9 lead after the opening frame.
The second quarter was more of the same. The Colonials' red-hot shooting continued, and they led by as many as 27 in the frame and took a 42-17 lead to the half.
"Coach Bair has really turned them around," Littlestown head coach Scott Motter said. "I'm happy for him and what he's done for their program. They play a tough schedule in (YAIAA) Division I, and they're fighters. They're very much a reflection of their head coach."
Littlestown (6-11) made a little push to start the third quarter. The Bolts closed the deficit to 44-23 early in the frame, but it was a short-lived spurt.
New Oxford responded by scoring 11 of the next 13 and carried a 67-34 lead into the final stanza.
"At times we do good things, and if we're in position defensively, we do alright," Motter said. "The effort that we gave tonight needs to carry over into division play for us."
Lehman and Devon Duvall took scoring honors for the Colonials with 19 points apiece. Lehman added six assists, and Duvall provided nine boards. John Wessel also cracked double figures with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Avery Eyler led the way for Littlestown with 14 points.
Both squads return to division play with road games on Wednesday. The Bolts play at Biglerville, while the Colonials host William Penn. Both games are slated to tip at 7:30 p.m.
New Oxford (76)
Rudisill 0 1-2 1, Myers 2 0-0 5, Stiles 2 0-1 4, Rex 0 0-0 0, Floyd 0 0-0 0, Brown 2 0-0 5, Devon Duvall 8 3-4 19, Ben Lehman 6 2-2 19, John Wessel 6 2-2 17, Gruver 2 0-0 6. Totals 28 8-11 76.
Littlestown (47)
Topper 3 0-0 7, Towner 0 2-2 2, Avery Eyler 5 2-2 14, Noble 2 0-0 4, Barthel 2 2-3 6, Dooley 0 0-0 0, Collins 2 1-2 6, B. Eyler 2 2-4 6, Pittinger 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 9-13 47.
New Oxford _22 _20 _25 _9_— _76
Littlestown _9 _8 _17 _13_— _47
3-point goals — NO 12 (Lehman 5, Wessel 3, Gruver 2, Myers, Brown), Lit 4 (A. Eyler 2, Topper, Collins).
JV Score — New Oxford 59, Littlestown 26.