For the first time since many of their parents were in high school, the Lake Orion girls? basketball squad is a league champion.
The title is the school’s first of the OAA variety and ends a league drought dating back to 1983.
The Dragons clinched the outright OAA III title with three victories last week, including last Friday’s home win over Berkley.
The squad held Berkley to just three second-half points, in the process of a 58-14 drubbing. Alexis Haan scored 14 points to lead all scorers and Bethany Watterworth added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Dragons.
Lake Orion finished the regular season at 18-2 overall and 11-1 in OAA III play.
‘When we lost to Oak Park, we looked at those last five games as championship games,? said Coach Steve Roberts.
The team topped host Farmington Hills Harrison 53-25 last Tuesday and visiting Lahser 58-42 the following night.
The victory over Lahser was in doubt, when the visitors took a 34-32 lead midway through the third quarter. But Lake Orion closed the stanza on a 16-2 run.
Lahser hit 11 three-pointers on the night, including seven in the first half. Roberts credited a switch from zone to man-to-man defense for his team’s key run late in the third.
Watterworth scored 16 points and added nine rebounds in both the Lahser and Harrison victories for the Dragons. Courtney Zott notched 18 points in the Lahser game.
Roberts said his team ‘enjoyed the moment,? after the Berkley game, as they were presented with a trophy and championship hats.
‘We’re taking that momentum into the playoffs,? he said. ‘One at a time, seven to go.?
The ‘seven? refers to the number of wins needed to earn a state title, starting with today’s tip against district host Waterford Kettering (who beat Lapeer East on Monday). Oxford or Waterford Mott await in the finals.
Roberts said Lake Orion has never beaten Kettering in girls? hoops, including a pair of tries under his watch (they played more frequently before that, too).
‘Our kids seem to rise up to meet the competition,? he noted of the chance to knock off a quality OAA I opponent. ‘We’re preparing for each game, but planning for the future.?