Doubleheaders in basketball are pretty rare. But if you want to be crowned champions, you have to do whatever it takes.
The Lake Orion High School Unified Basketball team knew just what it took to win. A buzzer-beater recently gave the team its fifth title in the last six years.
The team is made up of Special Olympians and Unified Athletes, and is the only team from Oakland County.
This year’s team won the title in Kalamazoo on March 11, first beating Kalamazoo, 33-25, in the semifinal.
They went on to top Caro, 24-22, in the final, on a Jason Sjoblom last-second shot.
Making the title even more special was the fact that the team competed in Division I, the top level of competition (divisions are based on current ability and past performance).
‘Offensively, we were led by John Adams,? said coach Rob McClellan. ‘Anthony and Sammy Taormina really played well defensively, and rebounded well for us.?
The team was without one of its top players, and biggest perimeter threat, Terry Beardsley, but managed to overcome his absence on the court.
‘Every year this is what they look forward to from the start of practice in Oct.,? McClellan said, noting the end of the season is always somewhat bittersweet.
The team traveled to Kalamazoo on a Friday night, traveling in three vans donated for the trip by the Golling dealership in Bloomfield.
As fun as the games are, McClellan said the traditional Friday night team dinner (pizza) and bowling trip are always big highlights for everyone.
‘We really try to make it a social event,? McLellan noted.
Though this year’s team was the largest ever, only 12 players are able to play in the games, but the whole team still went on the trip.
McClellan hopes to have as many as three teams compete next year at LOHS.