The Lake Orion Baptist Lions lost to the Juniata Christian Eagles from Vassar last week, the team the Lions played last March in the Michigan Association of Christian School’s (MACS)Championship.
This was the first time this season the two teams met since that game.
The final score was 48-39 om favor of the Eagles.
The Lions were missing their senior point guard, James Moreno, due to illiness. Treavor Halleck started as point guard. Conner Welby took the off-guard position.
The Eagles got off to a fast start, taking control of the first half, leading the Lions 30-12.
The Lions were trailing at the end of the third period 43-23. The Lions scored 16 points in the fourth with Matt Cameron’s two 3-pointers.
Freshman James Noruk led the Lions with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals and 1 assist.
Cameron had 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal. Danny Cremer had 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Chris Hojnacki had 3 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Stephen Watson had 2 points and 5 rebounds. Brad Watterworth had 2 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Halleck had 1 point, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
The Lions? record is 7-7.
The Eagles were led by Chris Smith with 16 points. Andrew Smith followed with 15 points.
The Eagles record is 9-2.
The Lions then lost to Community Baptist Christian Kings of Saginaw on Friday, Feb. 13.
This was the final home game for the seniors Jon Jenkins, Moreno and Watson. The seniors all started for their final game at home.
The Lions were troubled again this game with turnovers committing, 8 in the first quarter, which led to some easy baskets for the Kings and gave them a 14-4 lead early.
The Lions battled to come back, but still trailed 28-15 at the half. The final score was 54-38 in favor of the Kings.
Each team committed 16 turnovers and the Kings out rebounded the Lions 31-22 with the Kings dominating in their defense.
Moreno led the Lions with 17 points coming back after his illness. He also had 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Hojnacki had 10 points. Cameron got into foul trouble in the first quarter and sat out much of the game, but had 5 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.
Three freshmen played well off the bench. Cremer had 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 3 steals. Noruk had 2 points 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Watterworth had 2 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 assist.
The Lions ended their regular season 7-8. John Williams led the Kings with 18 points. The Kings record is 10-2.