Girls Basketball: Oaks Christian hangs on against Oak Park

The Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls basketball team finally faced some adversity in a Tri-Valley League game on Thursday.

After three relatively easy wins against the likes of Villanova Prep of Ojai, Nordhioff of Ojai and St. Bonaventure of Ventura, the Lions knew neighborhood rival Oak Park would pose a good challenge

First place was on the line and the Lions would have to try and win the game with star player Katie Brooks nursing an ankle injury suffered early in the second half and sophomore point guard Brianna Barrett on the bench with four fouls.

Oaks Christian came through and took sole possession of first place in a 44-40 victory.

Freshman Meghan McIntyre scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, junior Crystal Owusu had 10, Brooks had eight and Barrett contributed seven as the Lions literally held on at the end.

"Our girls did a wonderful job coming together, keeping their composure and gutting a big league win," Oaks Christian coach Andre Chevalier said. "To now know we can play without some of our starters for long stretches should only make us a better team going forward."

Oaks Christian led 27-20 at halftime before extending the advantage to eight points with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

That is when Brooks sprained her ankle on a spin move in the paint. Barrett already picked up her third foul by then and committed a her fourth just a short time later and had to come out of the game.

Oak Park was ready to take advantage especially with center Lauren Varney now free to roam the middle.

However, the Lions struck first with a McIntyre 3-pointer from the left corner and Owusu driving to the basket.

"I think that really helped us extending the lead when Katie and Bri went out," Chevalier said. "The other girls gained confidence and were a little more at ease."

The Lions largest lead was 34-22 late in the third quarter but Oak Park would not go quietly.

Varney converted a three-point play on a basket and made free throw to cut the lead to 41-35 but Owusu drive the right baseline and was fould while converting a layup.

Trailing 44-40 with under a minute remaining, Oak Park (9-8, 3-1) still had a chance but Brett Hall missed a 3-pointer from the left wing and the Eagles never got the ball back.

Varney fnished with 20 points to lead Oak park, Courtney Lindsay had nine points on three 3-pointers in the first half and Hall chipped in with six.

The injury to Brooks could be huge for the Lions (14-3, 4-0) as she was averaging double figures in points and rebounds but the timing couldn't have come at a better time with no games until next Thursday.

"We just hope and pray Katie gets healthy forst and foremost," Chevalier said. "This will give us a chance to come together and work on some things at practice. I know if Katie can even get out of bed tomorrow she will be playing with us next week."