Oak Harbor’s Denmon scores 37 in Wildcats’ win

OAK HARBOR — The Oak Harbor Wildcats had two things going for them Thursday: a ball-hawking defense and Jessica Denmon’s hot hand.

The Wildcats collected 26 steals, many of which helped Denmon score a season-high 37 points, as Oak Harbor defeated Kentridge 57-26 in the consolation round of the Santa Slam girls basketball tournament.

Denmon, a 5-foot-6 senior point guard, shot 15-for-25 from the field, 5-for-6 from the foul line, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out four assists. She also made her team’s only two 3-point field goals.

“A lot of it was turnovers. We ended up with 26 steals and she turned a lot of those into easy buckets,” Oak Harbor coach Brett McLeod said. “She also shot very well from the field.”

At Oak Harbor H.S.

Kentridge8855—26

Oak Harbor1921710—57

Kentridge—Maley 2, Paglia 2, Keowla 2, Martin 5, Merrill 3, Riley 9, Glasser 3. Oak Harbor—Royal 0, Mowbray 8, Cumming 0, Denmon 37, Abadesco 2, Renninger 0, James 4, Young 2, Walker 4.. 3-point goals—Riley 1, Denmon 2. Records—Kentridge 1-9. Oak Harbor 5-3.