Oakland County’s leading scorer paid a visit to Lake Orion last week.
Stoney Creek’s Brittney Nelson, who averages over 18 points a game, had a guided tour of the Fieldhouse floor courtesy of the Dragons? Brittany Daenzer and Ashley Bringard.
The two LO defenders were charged with the task of shadowing Nelson everywhere she went, as Coach Steve Roberts employed a box-and-one defense much of the night.
They did their job, as Nelson was held below her season average, and the Dragons went on to a big 43-37 victory to claim the early lead in the OAA III on Oct 3.
Lake Orion got off to a hot start thanks to their leading scorer, Bethany Watterworth, who scored the team’s first seven points, including three at the free throw line in three attempts.
Free throws separated the two squads in the first half, as the Dragons were a perfect 13-for-13 at the charity stripe.
The free throws made up for a lack of outside shooting, as LO missed 12 first half three-point attempts but still built a 26-14 lead late in the half.
‘The free throw line was the difference in that first half,? Coach Roberts said afterwards.
But a resilient Stoney Creek squad showed why many considered them to be the preseason favorite in the league, by closing the half with an 8-0 run.
They scored the first two points of the second half as well, to cut the deficit to just two. But they wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the night.
The Dragon bench, which includes Daenzer and Bringard (who scored eight points), got another big boost from backup guard Cara Booker.
Booker accounted for both of the LO three-point makes, getting one to go in each half at key junctures. She finished with eight points.
‘We like to have that energy coming off the bench,? Roberts said of the three juniors off of the bench.
But with just over a minute to go and the Dragon lead shrunk back down to three, it was Watterworth that LO called upon for the big hoop.
The sophomore found some open space in the lane and converted on a lay-up to put the Dragons up 51-46 and end Stoney Creek’s last-gasp comeback effort.
Watterworth had a game-high 17 points, to go along with 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Nelson led Stoney Creek with 14 points.
‘We wanted to put a person on her at all times,? Roberts said. ‘She had to work for everything out there.?
After the victory over Stoney Creek, the Dragons travelled to Lahser for a Oct. 5 tip-off against the Knights.
As they have done most of the season, LO got off to a quick start, grabbing a double-digit first quarter lead, which resulted in a 28-14 halftime edge.
The Dragons went on to an easy 53-31 lead to improve to 3-0 in OAA III league play and 8-2 overall.
Watterworth led the Dragons with 14 points, while juniors Cortney Kimmel and Trisha Dalrymple added eight points apiece.
This week Dragons have a big Thursday night tip-off with fellow league undefeated North Farmington.
‘We’re on top and we’re playing to stay there,? Roberts said.