Boys Basketball: Oak Park beats Oaks Christian

The Oak Park boys basketball had one thing on its mind going into a crucial Tri-Valley League game with undefeated league leader Oaks Christian of Westlake Village on Friday.

Revenge.

The Eagles got what they wanted in a 64-48 victory that gives them a share of first place with one game remaining on Wednesday.
Oak Park was steaming after a 66-60 overtime loss at Oaks Christian on Jan. 20.

Austin Ramljak scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers and made seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter to lead Oak Park.

"Obviously it was a huge game for us, we just concentrated on what we had to do and we had been practicing for this game every day since we lost to them."

Ramljak scored eight points in the first quarter, including a buzzer beating 3-pointer to give Oak Park momentum.

He came back to score eight more in the third quarter on two more 3-pointers and a lay-up and finished the game by calmly hitting his free throws as the Lions (16-8, 8-1) tried to come back.

"I was just catching passes from my teammates in rhythm after we broke the press," Ramljak said.

The Eagles (17-8, 8-1) took a nine-point lead at the end of the third quarter when Tanner Byers made an off-balance turnaround jumper at the buzzer for a 41-32 advantage that seemed like it would be enough.

However, Oaks Christian scored three quick baskets by Dillon van der Wal, Blair Holliday and Spencer Kier to get right back in the game.

Oak Park would not let the Lions get closer thanks to a 3-point play from freshman Ron Lee, Jr., another basket from Lee, Jr., two free throws from Ramljak and a basket from Cameron Stevens.

Oak Park led 52-40 with 4:00 to play and proceeded to make 13 of 16 free throws in the final quarter.

Every time Oaks Christian would make a run, Oak Park would turn the Lions back.

"Our coaches told us to be patient and get good shots," Ramljak said. "We also came up with some key stops on defense and didn't turn the ball over like we did last time against them."

Lee, Jr. finished with 15 points and displayed poise and savvy rarely seen from a freshman playing point guard.

"He has really matured a lot," Ramljak said. "He wasn't flustered at all, the key was very few turnovers."

Holliday had 18 points to lead Oaks Christian. Kier and sophomore Chass Bryan added nine and seven respectively.

Dan Ross scored all six of his points during the second quarter when Oaks Christian battled back from an 18-10 deficit to go into halftime only trailing 25-24.

Oaks Christian was hurt by the fact 6'8 big men van der wal and Stephen Saksa combined for only two points not taking advantage of a big size disparity against the undersized Eagles.