A music mishap started off the girls basketball season. The beginning of the national anthem began playing, but the sound system was not working. Kristen Martin (10) and returning scorers Alyssa Norberg (11) and Taylor Ventimiglia (12) started singing.

Soon, the whole crowd was behind the team, singing the national anthem together. Since that first moment–even before the tip of the ball–the home team was supported by the crowd in their close win against Mehlville. Oakville won the game 33-31 after holding off a fourth-quarter comeback by Mehlville.

“We handled the pressure down the stretch really well,” head coach Aaron Bosch said.

The first varsity game was defined by turnovers and offensive rebounds. The offense may have been sloppy at times, but the girls found a way to hold their lead over Mehlville.

The Tigers scored the first 13 points of the game, leading at halftime 18-6. Alyssa Norberg had 12 of those points at the half, starting her season with a strong offensive performance. Oakville moved the ball around well in the third quarter, passing the ball clean and crisp.

The girls struggled to put the ball in the hoop at times, but another teammate would step in with an offensive rebound. With less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, an Oakville player missed a shot. The ball was rebounded by multiple Oakville teammates four times on that single shot.

With 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Mehlville was only a three-pointer away from tying the game. With strong defense and big free-throws shot by Taylor Ventimiglia and Favor Oparaji (10), the Tigers hung on for the victory.

The varsity girls basketball team looked strong in their first game. Above all, they showed leadership and a willingness to help each other. When the game came down to a 2-point lead, the girls stepped up their game and beat the rival Mehlville Panthers.