The Lake Orion Baptist School varsity boys basketball team hosted Everest Academy of Clarkston, last week, for the first-ever meeting of these teams.
The Lake Orion Lions started strong, but couldn’t get to the top of the mountain. Everest won, 61-54.
The Lions scored the game’s first basket and led at the end of each of the first 3 quarters. The lead 18-14 at the end of the first; 30-29 at halftime; and, 46-45 going into the fourth.
With 4:09 minutes remaining in the game, senior co-captain forward, Matt Cameron was injured and had to set out a couple of minutes to recover with Everest leading 53 to 52.
After the injury time-out, Everest’s Sam Bellestri hit a 3-pointer giving Clarkston a 4-point lead. In the final moments both team scored a 2-point basket. The Lions put Everest to the line and they responded by hitting 3 of 4 free throws for the final score, 61-54.
According to Lake Orion coach Joe Bullen, the Lions played well in a ‘very evenly contested? game.
The Lions had 21 steals, to Everest’s 11; Everest pulled down 38 rebounds, to Lake Orion’s 37; the Lions had 14 turnovers, Everest 15. The Lions also had 16 assists for the game.
Co-captain Senior Treavor Halleck hit 15 points (three, 3-pointers), 2 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists. Sophomore Brad Watterworth had his fourth triple-double this year with 12 points, 16 rebounds, 12 steals (11 blocks), and one assist. Sophomore James Noruk had 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals (1 block), and 3 assists. Co-captain Senior Chris Hojnacki had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals (2 blocks), and 4 assists. Co-Captain Senior Matt Cameron rounded out the scoring with 7 points, 4 rebounds, & 3 assists.
The Lions are 9-3 for the season. They host Community Baptist School of Saginaw for their second round with the Kings this Friday.
Donald Allen led Everest with 14 points. They are 6 and 4 for the season.