By Fred Kroner
The Comets hit 7 of 8 fourth-quarter free throws to rally for a win at Milford in a game they trailed at halftime.
Oakwood registered a 56-50 triumph, its second straight game settled by two possessions or less. Milford led, 26-24, at halftime.
Dalton Hobick scored a game-high 20 points and hit a team-high for three-pointers in a game this season with four.
Josh Young made 13 points and Isaiah Ruch added 12, including a 6-for-6 showing from the free throw line. Brevin Wells notched nine points.
One key to an unbeaten early-season start is balanced scoring.
“We’re getting consistent scoring from four kids,” Oakwood coach Jeff Mandrell said. “Teams can’t slack off on a couple of guys.”
Four squad members have reached double figures in scoring in at least two of their first three games. Six Comets have hit three-pointers.
Mandrell had high expectations entering the delayed high school season.
“I thought we’d be pretty good,” Mandrell said. “We have some seniors who filled in gaps last year.
“It was a case where I thought we could compete with most teams we played.”
The coach has been pleased by the performance in two of the first three games.
“We really played well against Cissna Park (in the opener) and Milford,” Mandrell said, “and struggled at Schlarman.”
In the last two games, the Comets made the plays when they counted most.
“In the tough games, you have to make free throws under pressure, get good shots and earn everything,” Mandrell said. “The effort is good.”
Wells (86.6 percent) and Ruch (78.6 percent) have been especially effective from the free throw line.
The performance in games is a carryover from practice.
“Day-to-day, they practice well and try to get better,” Mandrell said. “This is a group that likes each other and will pick each other up.”
With the abbreviated nature of the season, Mandrell is careful not to overload his players with too much to learn in a short time.
“We’re trying to put some new wrinkles in and some new options with our offense,” he said, “but we’re not doing anything too fancy. The season will be over in less than four weeks.”
The Oakwood players appreciate the opportunity they have.
“The kids are glad to go out and play two or three games a week and have other sports ahead of them,” Mandrell said.
The Comets (3-0) return to action on Tuesday (Feb. 16) at home against Armstrong-Potomac.
