They might have won a league title a year ago, but in first place this season, the Dragons find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
‘We’ve never been in this spot before, where one time around the league we’ve been undefeated,? Coach Jim Manzo said.
His team topped Auburn Hills Avondale, 59-45, last Friday night to improve to 6-0 in OAA II play.
‘The guys know now that the ‘X? is firmly planted on our chests or our backs,? Manzo said. ‘Normally, we’re the hunters, but now we’re the ones being hunted.?
Drew Maynard scored 24 points to lead Lake Orion, and Cole Moore added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
‘Those to guys are tough to handle,? Manzo said. ‘There aren’t many teams that have two kids 6?5? or better that are as athletic as those two.?
Avondale hung close in the first half, but the Dragons closed the half strong to take a 26-17 advantage at the break.
Lake Orion got the lead up to as many as 18 early in the fourth quarter, before the starters went to the bench.
The Dragons improved to 9-4 overall and 5-3 on their home floor.
‘We’ve got a goal where we don’t want to lose another game at home,? Manzo said. ‘Regular season or playoffs.?
‘We give ourselves a great chance to win a league title, and we’re going to get a district trophy if we do that,? he noted.
The Dragons will host districts in March, but their concern now is on closing out the OAA II strong.
‘It’s a good feeling knowing that were at the top,? Maynard said, adding that he wants to keep it that way.
The team hosted Rochester after this edition went to print. Visit www.lakeorionreview.com for a recap.
Earlier last week, the Dragons fell to visiting Pontiac Northern in a tightly contested game.
For the Dragons, it marked the third time in four tries against quality Oakland County opponents (Country Day, Southfield-Lathrup and Clarkston, the lone win) they fell just short.
‘We have had an opportunity to win or tie all of those games at the end,? Manzo said.
‘My aspirations are for March,? he noted. ‘I got to believe that game helps us somewhere down the road, all of these games.?
Northern grabbed the lead for good in the third quarter of the see-sawing contest, and held off some valiant Dragon surges for a 69-65 victory.
‘It was a very good game, it could have gone either way,? said Northern Coach Robert Rogers.
‘For a lot of teams, they look on the schedule and they see Northern and it’s the highlight,? Rogers said. ‘That’s respect. We appreciate the respect they give us.?
Tim Williams led Northern with 19 points, and Devonte Pryor scored 15 of his 16 after the break for the visitors.
‘Tim Williams hit some pretty big shots for them,? Manzo said, ‘and Pryor, I thought, really hurt us.?
‘We stayed off of him and he still got to the basket,? Manzo said of Pryor’s quickness.
Lake Orion’s Maynard led all scorers with 33 points. Chris Lum added 16.