Coming off of a 19-4 season and with plenty of star power returning, the sky is the limit on the hardwood for Lake Orion this winter.
As a result, Coach Jim Manzo’s team is getting plenty of attention from the media and college scouts alike.
‘That’s certainly a new thing with us,? Manzo said of the attention.
‘For the most part, it’s been great,? he added. ‘It’s good for the program, but it’s something you have to be careful of.?
The Dragons won a league championship last year, before falling to Clarkston in a hardfought district final.
‘When you’re in your own gym, and you watch somebody else hold up a trophy, it certainly provides motivation,? he said of the season-ending loss.
In addition to that, Manzo noted that five of his players also played on the football squad that was upset by the Wolves in the playoffs.
But Manzo stopped short of saying his team’s strong showing last year has created a rivalry with Clarkston.
‘It only becomes a rivalry when each team has got a win at some point,? he said.
Even though there is an obvious attraction to the game (and possible rematch in the playoffs) with Clarkston, Manzo said he is not singling one game out on his schedule.
‘We’d like to get past districts, much like the girls? team did,? he said, saying the atmosphere around the school is something his players took note of.
For his team to be successful in that quest, Manzo said they must fill a few holes and build some depth.
‘A lot of guys are going to play, but, by the same token, they’re going to have to earn their time,? he said.
Manzo’s 2006-07 roster might be small in comparison to other schools of Lake Orion’s size, but there’s a reason behind it.
‘One of the rationales for keeping a fewer number of kids is that there’s more playing time to go around,? he said.
The roster is 11 players deep, but only 10 will dress for the first month because of an injury to projected starting center Cole Moore.
‘There’s no doubt it’s a big loss not having Cole,? Manzo said of the 6?6? senior, who sustained a back injury during football season.
Point guard Ross Tonyan sat out the team’s scrimmage with Davison last week with a tweaked ankle, but Manzo expects him to be at 100 percent for the start of the real games.
Though Tonyan, a senior, is considered one of the top guards in the area, the team’s marquee player is junior Drew Maynard, a versatile 6?6? forward.
With Moore sidelined early and two interior players lost to graduation from last year’s team (Justin Diesbourg and Jon Krause), Maynard’s role on the team will change a bit.
‘He’s playing down low more, guarding guys that are bigger than him,? Manzo said.
Maynard will start the year as the team’s center, getting help off the bench from returning varsity player Steve Jorgensen and Chad Nieswand (who played J.V. last year). Both players are juniors.
Maynard is getting lots of interest from colleges, ranging from Oakland University to Butler to Mid-American Conference schools, and even Michigan State.
Manzo said it will be a big year from a scouting standpoint for his star player, but he’s willing to take on a new role with the team.
‘He’s willing to do what it takes to win,? Manzo added, saying Maynard is likely not going to be a post player at the next level.
Having scouts on hand for Maynard is sure to bring more attention to the program, and Manzo said it might even draw interest to seniors like Tonyan and Moore.
‘We’re going to have coaches in here on a weekly basis, watching (Maynard) play and watching our team in the process,? he said.
After Maynard, Moore and Tonyan, the rest of the roster is certainly not devoid of talent.
‘Chris Lum is the sleeper on our team,? Manzo said of his 6?2? junior forward, who also starred as an All-State quarterback for the football squad.
‘He keeps his poise on the floor like he does in the pocket,? Manzo said, noting Lum and senior guard Tom Madigan could be his most improved players.
The coach said both players are likely starters, along with Maynard, Tonyan and senior swingman Joe Barnes, at least for the time being.
‘I tell the guys ‘would you rather start the game or finish it??? Manzo said, noting that everyone on the roster will likely see significant playing time at some point.
Senior Devin Hamilton, a transfer from Pontiac Northern, will see some time at the wing positions, and senior Mike Tuzik will play as a reserve forward.
Finally, freshman Anthony Fields will back-up Tonyan at the point. In the process, Fields becomes just the second player to make a Manzo-coached team as a freshman, joining Tonyan in that category.
‘He has a lot of ability and he’s a coachable kid,? Manzo said of Fields. ‘He’s a very confident player for a kid his age.?
The coach added that Tonyan has taken his younger counterpart under his wing, especially in weightlifting sessions.
As a team, the Dragons move up from the Oakland Activities Association’s Division III to Division II, where they will compete for a league title with the likes of Auburn Hills Avondale, Birmingham Groves, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Southfield and Troy Athens.
‘The guys want to compete for a league championship,? Manzo said, adding that they want to prove last year was not a fluke.
The rest of the team’s schedule is no walk in the park either.
‘They gave us the four top teams in (the OAA) Division I,? Manzo said, noting it is the toughest schedule he’s had.
‘But this is the right team to have that schedule,? he added.
With non-league opponents such as Clarkston, Romeo, both Pontiac schools and Country Day, in addition to Southfield twice in league action, Manzo said his team could have between five and seven opponents that are in the top 10 in the area.
‘Our motto for the year is that it’s not who we play, but how,? said Manzo, who will be assisted again this season by Dave Tooley (in his eighth season with the team) and Jesse Heck (in his seventh year with the squad).
The team will play 11 of its 20 regular season games at home, and will host district action again in March.
‘It was a great atmosphere to play in last year,? said Manzo, who expects an even livelier crowd this season.
Some of the team’s home games will also be carried on tape-delay by ONTV. For broadcast times of those games, visit www.orionneighborhoodtelevision.org.