Back in November, no one predicted the Boys Varsity Basketball team’picked to finish last in the OAA White’would win 10 games this year.
On Tuesday night they proved the predictions wrong and won their tenth game of the season, 52 -47 over the Rochester Falcons.
The Dragons opened the game on a quick 6-0 run and never looked back. In the first, Dragon defense was too much for the Falcons to overcome and the boys closed out the first period up 12-5.
Falcons came out with a Zone Defense in the second, which gave the Dragons some problems. The Dragons struggled to get inside and were forced to take outside shots.
Rochester was able to capitalize on the boards and turn them into points. The Falcons got very hot with their 3-point shooting, winning the second period 10-8 and closing the gap as the first half came to a close with Lake Orion leading 20-15.
The second half started just as the first half ended, and the Falcons 3-point shooting was keeping them in the game.
The third period was more up-tempo than the first half, with Dragons pressure defense causing the Falcons to turnover the ball for Dragon points. However, it was the Falcon’s 3-point shots that turned the game around, and as the third period came to an end Lake Orion was holding on to slim lead 34 -33.
Momentum shifted to Rochester as the forth period got underway and the Dragon defense seemed to collapse.
But in the last three minute, the boys got back in the game, forcing Rochester to commit bad passes and multiple turnovers that would convert to quick points for the Dragons.
Once they secured the lead, they never looked back and walked away with a 52-47 victory. Leading scorers for the game: Ian Monk 12, Alex Mayo 9, Derek Schrauben 8, Steve Dolinksi 7, Evan Drean 6
‘We squeaked one out, we didn’t seem to play as well as should,? said Coach Mike Shafkalis after the game. ‘It’s good to see that when we played a little sloppy at times we’re able to overcome our mistakes and pull the win out.?
The season, he added, is turning out better than anticipated.
‘No one thought we would win five games this year,? Shafkalis said. ‘I’m happy we are proving to everyone that Lake Orion Basketball is on the rise.?
The Dragons host two home games this week; Tuesday night against number one-ranked Birmingham Seaholm and Friday’the season’s last home game’against Stoney Creek.
Currently, the team is ranked ninth in the OAA power rankings and tied for second in the OAA White. They are still in contention for the league title and need big wins over Seaholm and Stoney Creek to stay in the race.
Come out and support the team; game time is 7 p.m.
~ Story submitted