Win number 100 was a sweet feeling for Lake Orion basketball coach Jim Manzo.
But number 101, should it come on Friday versus Southfield, would be much sweeter.
The Dragons put themselves in position to clinch the OAA II title by topping Rochester Adams for the second time this year 53-41 on Tuesday night.
Host Lake Orion led throughout, with their lead hovering around 10 points most of the night.
‘Sometimes the home crowd would like to see a more entertaining game,? Manzo said. ‘But ore thing you can say about are kids is they play defense.?
Leading by just six at the break, the Dragons opened the second half with an 11-4 run to put themselves up 35-23.
Adams got as close as 36-30 early in the fourth quarter, but consecutive baskets by Ross Tonyan and Anthony Fields (from three point range) got it back to double digits.
A couple minutes later, with just under four to play. Drew Maynard converted a three-point play and Devin Hamilton connected from long range (also on consecutive possessions) to ice the game.
Maynard led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points, 11 of which came in a stellar opening half that included six rebounds and three blocked shots.
Cole Moore added 11 for the victors, who saw eight different players register a point.
The game was played at a slow tempo, in part because of 39 fouls that were called by a very busy officiating crew.
‘When you have some talented kids on offense, it’s like holding a horse back,? Manzo said of the slower pace. ‘Those horses want to go and that’s part of the learning curve.?
‘There’s a time and place when you’re going to have to run some clock, you’re going to have to hold on to a lead,? he added. ‘Taking hurried shots is not a formula for success.?
His team has certainly found success this season in the OAA II, their first year in the league after winning the OAA III last season.
A win over Southfield would give LO (11-4 overall and 8-0 in league action) an insurmountable lead.
‘We’ve got some things to build on still and we’re looking for that crescendo in March,? Manzo said.
The team’s playoff draw, also announced this week, begins with Waterford Kettering, and a potential district final at LOHS looms with Clarkston.
But the coaching staff, which has already started scouting Kettering, will take it one game at a time.
‘We’ll be doing our homework,? Manzo said.
The coach credited assistant coaches Dave Tooley and Jessie Heck for helping him reach the 100-win milestone.
‘There’s been some good times and there’s been some really bad,? he said. ‘We’ve seen both of them,?
‘We’re looking forward to March and maybe accomplishing something that hasn’t been done here in a long time,? he added looking to a banner on the Fieldhouse wall.
‘I’d trade all of it to put our name up there.?