The Michigan Association of Christian Schools (MACS) launched its annual 2003 boys basketball tournament on Feb. 25. The Lake Orion Baptist School Lions were seeded fourth out of 16 teams in the Division II section, and due to their seeding, hosted Lakecrest Baptist Defenders of Waterford.
The Lions’ regular season record of 8-3 in their conference play placed them over the Defenders even though the Defenders’ record was 11-1.
Both teams were missing key players due to ineligibility, and an injury. Lakecrest was missing one starter and his backup player, while Lake Orion was missing five players total, leaving only six players dressed.
Senior and stater Mike McWethy has been on crutches for two weeks due to a knee injury. Two other starters were ineligible due to MACS’ rule or discipline. This left the Lions with two juniors, three freshmen and an eighth grader.
Junior Brandon Watterworth, the starting center, fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, as did junior Brad Schick later in the quarter, leaving only four players to finish the game. Coach Joe Bullen said “Our team did well considering the situation. Midway through the third quarter, we were down only eight points. From there we just ran out of steam with not enough bench to give players rest.”
The final score was Lakecrest 56, Lake Orion 34. Lake Orion’s leading scorer was Watterworth, with 21 points, 12 rebounds and six steals, including four blocked shots.
The Feb. 25 game wrapped up Lake Orion’s regular season play with a record of 8-3, and overall record of 9-5.