Oakville boys basketball starts season with 3-2 record, ‘unsure of identity’

After five games, the Oakville Tigers boys basketball squad finds itself at a 3-2 record, still not sure what the identity of the team is.

Over winter break, the Tigers will play in a tournament across the river in Collinsville, Illinois. Head coach Nathan Traxler thinks he will know a lot more about his team after the four tournament games.

“It is always a strong tournament,” Traxler said. “We will know a lot about our group after the four-game guarantee tournament.”

The tournament is loaded with local talent from around the area with Belleville East, Althoff Catholic, Granite City and McCluer North among some of the schools competing. 

Despite a few recent falters, Traxler has liked what he has seen so far this season. 

“We like the depth of this group,” Traxler said. “We have a good mix of seniors and juniors, with Max Simokaitis being the lone sophomore.”

Oakville defeated Affton, Mehlville and Windsor to open the season before dropping back-to-back games against Clayton and Fort Zumwalt North.

The 47-45 loss to Clayton was in the championship game of the annual Southside Classic tournament on Dec. 6. The Tigers took a six-point lead into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hang on for the win.

Traxler said turnovers and lackluster shooting didn’t help his team’s cause.

“Looking back, we had 24 turnovers and shot 4-of-20 from three-point range,” Traxler said. “We went 7-of-14 from the line and had two of our five starters foul out. We had a chance to tie in the final minute, so that was tough considering all the factors.”

The Tigers then fell for the second time this season, losing 61-52 to Fort Zumwalt North on Dec. 10. 

Traxler said turnovers once again haunted his team in the loss.

“Fort Zumwalt North plays a hard-nose brand of basketball, and once again we turned the ball over 20-plus times and did not shoot well from three-point range,” Traxler said. “Those factors are what we are focusing on going into the game against Seckman (on Dec. 17) and (during) Christmas break.”

The game against Seckman on Dec. 17 occurred after The Call’s press time.  ADD SCORE!

The Tigers will open the Collinsville Tournament at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 against Woodlands Christian Academy out of Woodlands, Texas.