By the time this basketball season is finished, Drew Maynard will likely hold most of Lake Orion’s significant statistical records.
LO’s biggest-ever hoops recruit will again be the center of attention this winter, as the Dragons attempt to continue their recent upward trend.
‘The winning programs find a way to maintain that level of consistency,? Coach Jim Manzo said. ‘Now we’ve done it for two years. Can we do it a third year? Did we lose too much? Do we have guys that can step in? I guess we’re going to find out.?
The Dragons lost six seniors from last year’s team, including one of the area’s best point guards and their starting center. But it might be a key role player that they miss the most.
‘Obviously it hurts to lose Ross (Tonyan) and Cole (Moore), but Joe Barnes did so much for our team,? Manzo said. ‘He was counted on to guard the other team’s best player.?
The coach said depth will be his biggest concern in the early going.
Eight of the 13 players on the roster have not seen significant action at the varsity level (some did get on the court for a few minutes during last year’s playoffs).
‘We’ve got a lot of young kids on the team, but they’re very competitive and very aggressive,? Manzo said. ‘If you’re going to throw kids into the fire, you hope that they’re going to be able to withstand the heat.?
Many of the new faces to the varsity team are multi-sport athletes, which Manzo said is a big benefit. He would not speculate as to which players will see the most court time, saying decisions will likely be made on a game-by-game basis, at least in the early going.
‘I think they are all gradually making strides,? Manzo said. ‘We’re going to need to get contributions from a lot of people.?
One thing is for sure, the five returning players will see plenty of action, and could even be the team’s starting unit, meaning it would be a very big one, size-wise.
‘I would be more interested in who is finishing as opposed to starting,? Manzo said. ‘I don’t think anybody remembers who started when the game is 63-62 with 10 seconds left.?
Along with Maynard, the Dragons return a front line of Chris Lum (6?3), Chad Nieswand (6?4) and Steve Jorgensen (6?3). Sophomore Anthony Fields will take over the starting duties at point guard.
‘He’s put on over 20 pounds since last year and he’s grown,? Manzo said of the 5?11 Fields. ‘I think he benefited from playing against better players all year and a very busy AAU schedule. And he has a very good work ethic.?
Fields and Maynard spent plenty of time working together in the off-season, according to the coach.
‘I think Drew is in the best shape of his life,? Manzo said. ‘He’s been a leader at practice. He’s leading by example and he’s matured a great deal.?
‘Right now he’s our hardest worker,? he added. ‘And when your best player is your hardest worker, that’s a good thing. He wants to have a successful season as a senior.?
The 6?7 swingman is considered to be one of the state’s top players, according to many insider publications. He committed to Oakland University in the summer.
‘When he decided to go to Oakland, he just seemed relieved,? Manzo said. ‘Now he can just focus on helping Lake Orion win games. The key is not to be too dependent on him.?
One thing both Maynard and Manzo would like to do this season is win a district title ? something that has evaded them the past couple of years.
‘A third league championship would be terrific, but we want to advance,? Manzo said. ‘We want to get into this tournament and get the Lake Orion community to experience what high school playoff basketball is.?
After hosting districts the past two years (both of which resulted in finals losses to Clarkston), the Dragons will head to Clarkston for district play this year; something Manzo said could be a blessing.
‘Maybe there is less pressure not playing at home and maybe there’s a bad taste in some of these kids? mouths with how those games finished,? he said. ‘We do get to play over there in the regular season, too.?
In league action, the Dragons will seek their second straight OAA II title after winning the OAA III two seasons ago.
Manzo said Southfield is probably the toughest league foe, but Adams will field a solid team as well.
‘I think everybody in our league has gotten better,? he said.
Outside of the league, Manzo said the schedule, with plenty of away challenges (Country Day, Pontiac Northern, Romeo and St. Mary’s at a neutral site), is the toughest the school has ever seen.
‘Now everybody is marking our game on their schedules,? Manzo said. ‘Now that game means a little more to the other team.?