NEWARK VALLEY – The Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team traveled to non-league opponent Newark Valley on Thursday as an additional game to the 2024-25 regular season. Oxford battled but fell 62-51 to the Cardinals.

Newark Valley came out strong, holding the Blackhawks to five points in the first eight minutes and took a 37-19 lead. Oxford would improve offensively after that, outscoring the Cardinals 16-8 after halftime. However, Newark Valley had built a comfortable lead that did not slip away from them, even with the Blackhawks matching intensity.

Gordon Smith led the Blackhawks with 12 points with two threes in the fourth quarter. Jared Sheridan followed with 11 points as Ben Sheridan added nine points. Both Jared and Ben had a consistent game to help the team, especially contributing with three of the team’s five points in the first quarter.

Rich Hunter made two free throws in the first quarter and had four points in the third quarter to finish with six points off the bench.