Senior Night 2025 took place on Friday night, Jan. 31 in the Mustang gym for the boys basketball program.
Five senior OHS players were honored prior to their game against Central Catholic. Jacob Cavanaugh, Jacob Kindrick, Noah Zepeda, Declan Hynes and Jake Norris were all recognized in front of their families, teammates and fans.
However, the festivities went south when the Raiders defeated the Mustangs 61-33 on the court.
Gavin Wyatt’s offensive rebound and putback tied the game at two with just a minute gone in the first quarter. Oakdale then built up a slight 5-2 lead, but the Raiders went on an 8-0 run to take a 10-5 advantage resulting in a timeout for Oakdale with 4:55 left in the first quarter. Fresh from the time out, Oakdale’s Noah Zepeda knocked down a deep three-point field goal to make it 10-8. The host Mustangs faced a 17-8 deficit at the end of the first quarter.
Down 25-10 midway through the second quarter, Cavanaugh hit a corner three with 4:37 remaining in the half. Kindrick stole the ball and was fouled where he split a pair of free throws to make it 28-15 with 2:59 remaining in the half. Oakdale trailed 32-16 at the half.
A Wyatt steal and layup made it a 32-18 game with 6:12 left in the third quarter. Norris connected on a midrange jumper off the glass so Oakdale was down 32-20 with 5:21 left in the third, resulting in a time out by Central Catholic. Zepeda knocked down a three pointer from the corner to make it a 34-23 with 2:49 left in the third. Oakdale trailed 41-25 at the end of the frame. Beau Kesterson connected on a long three point shot with 4:51 left to play and a Kindrick assist to Bryce Busam on a corner three made it 49-31 with 4:05 left to play. In a crowded lane, Norris made a reverse layup to make it 57-33, ending a fourth quarter 8-0 run by Central Catholic. But the Raiders had plenty of cushion and walked off with the VOL win.
The Mustangs will play one game this week, and it is scheduled for Friday night, Feb. 7 in Manteca when they play Sierra. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The junior varsity team did get the win, edging out Central in a 50-47 contest.
