Calhoun Girls Basketball Holds On Against Oceanside

The Calhoun Lady Colts basketball team continued its stellar start to the new season with a 32-29 win on the road Friday against a non-league opponent in Oceanside.

The Colts (2-0) were able to hold off a last-second attempt to tie to give the Sailors (3-1) their first loss of the season. Calhoun was led by senior Meghan O'Sullivan with 10 points and junior Jessica Ruggiero with nine points.  

"We're growing up. I thought our defense today was great," Calhoun head coach David Radtke said. "We have the ability to commit a lot of fouls if need be because we have a huge bench. Everybody contributed and it was a really a team win."  

The two teams played close for the majority of the first half. Junior Danielle Losee jump started the Colts scoring with two big three-pointers early on. However, the Sailors responded with a 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter to head into the final eight minutes ahead 25-22.  

Oceanisde held onto its lead until Ruggiero scored to give Calhoun a one-point lead with three minutes to go. Losee and O'Sullivan added baskets in the final minute before Oceanside sophomore Woodlynn Daniel missed the tying attempt at the buzzer.  

"I think we held our composure in the end," Ruggiero said. "We all had so much intensity and wanted to be 2-0. We definitely have to keep up our defense because that is what helps us win games and what brings our offense to where it is."  

Calhoun limited Oceanside to just five made field goals all game, as the Sailors collected the majority of their points from the free throw line. Despite, the Colts' offensive struggles, their defense was the key to the win over the tough Conference I-AA opponent.  

"We need to become cleaner offensively," Radtke said. "Our offense hasn't caught up with our defense yet, but we will get there."

Calhoun will now prepare for the start of league play with a tough crosstown rivalry matchup at Mepham on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.  

"It doesn't matter what the record of the teams are," Radtke said of Mepham. "It's a conference game, a town rivalry. It's going to be a lot of fun."