By Megan Collier
Review staff writer
The march to districts is on, and although boys? basketball has some ground to make up as the last place team in Oakland Activities White, they ‘might surprise some people? said Coach Mike Shafkalis.
Beginning this week, the team will take on each White team for the second time, which should be to the boys? advantage, according to the coach.
‘Now they understand the physicality of varsity basketball as opposed to (junior varsity) and freshman,? he said. ‘Many kids have never played varsity basketball before, but we’ve made some great strides since the beginning of the year.?
Shafkalis said the team looks to improve on keeping focus at the end of the game and keeping the wheels on the tracks if someone makes a mistake.
‘When the wheels fall off, they really fall off,? he said. But, he added, the athletes are playing better as a team, and the coach is more familiar with their strengths and weaknesses, so the second half of the season should improve.
Right now, the Dragons have a 1-8 overall record and 1-7 in the OAA. Tuesday, Jan 18, Lake Orion fell to Ferndale, 82-62. The Dragons led in scoring for the first quarter, but fell behind the Eagles in the second and never recovered. Rich Eaton and Chaz Miller each sank 12 points for Lake Orion.
Friday, Jan. 21, the boys lost another to Stoney Creek, 45- 36. The loss on home court brought the team to their current record.
‘In the OAA white, are we the worst team in the league? I don’t know ? we’ve played some very good basketball,? said Shafkalis.
Tuesday’s game against Lathrup will be the Dragons first chance to turn their record around. See next week’s Review for those results. Thursday, they’ll travel to Troy to begin their second round of OAA White play.