Written Tuesday January 13th, at 2:00 PM
When looking at the daunting schedule the Orion Boys Basketball have had, you might have well said, well there is 0-8 right off the bat.
The first eight games were very daunting, having to play Oxford, Clarkston, Southfield, Adams, Lathrup, Stoney Creek, Bloomfield Hills, and Avondale. Later in the season you got Romeo, who is always a solid program in Macomb County.
Then you look at the league and you see Oak Park, Troy, Athens, and Pontiac. You have to play them all twice.
That's the schedule that the Orion Boys Basketball have to deal with.
The Dragons are a young team, lets look at that right there but are having some problems. In the team's four games the Dragons have allowed 65.5 points per game, which is not good. Offensively this team has struggled, only to average 45.5 points per game. Rebounding has also been a huge issue with this team, it has shown that this team has gotten crushed on the boards this season.
Orion lost a lot from last season's team and must do some sole searching. The schedule is no cake walk either and trust is also an issue with this team. When you look at last season's team trust wasn't an issue. This is an area that this team must fix if they want to make a run but coach Tom Risi knows a lot must change if this team wants to make that run.
Hope is not all lost with this team. Leaders must step up and take that role. Good teams have leaders who can take over and have an impact on the game.
Historically if Orion teams have had strong seasons the year prior then they do tend to struggle the next season and lets look at the 2011-2012 season the Dragons went 11-9 on the season but made a run and went to the State Quarterfinals.
The Dragons know what is ahead of them, mentally this schedule will get them stronger but its executing and getting wins that matter the most.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Opposite Directions
Written Friday January 9th, at 1:15 PM
Heading into the game on Thursday night, the Dragons knew it had a tough challenge with Clarkston's Marquette bound senior Erika Davenport.
Davenport scored 30 points, leading the Wolves to a 48-35 Girls Basketball win over Orion. It was the Dragons first loss of the season.
But also I look at two teams going opposite directions.
Orion has been here before, beating the teams they are suppose to beat and the lose to the teams that are suppose to lose. The Dragons were 12-8 last season but did not get that signature win a season ago.
I thought Orion played well for three quarters but foul trouble was the difference in the game and also Clarkston's defense showed up. They had a strong first half led by Sarah Voss, who had 11 of her 13 points in the second quarter. The Dragons led 23-16 at half.
Clarkston would then outscore Orion 32-12 in the second half but lets look at it from a different perspective.
The game told us that the two programs are going in opposite directions. The Wolves are so dependent on Davenport to carry them in games, which could be a huge problem if she gets shut down especially in league play. The Dragons are more balanced whether it's Hannah Hamay, Evelyn Wischmeyer, Delaney Haan, Cheyenne Lada-Sterling, Blair Stewart, or Sarah Voss carrying the load. Clarkston plays in the Red, Orion is in the White.
But it may not be long when Orion rejoins Clarkston in the Red.
In the Junior Varsity contest, the Dragons won 33-18. Despite the fact that Orion had a size mismatch against the much taller Wolves, the Dragons were balanced, they were the aggressive team and showed it on both sides of the floor. There was times that Clarkston's coach said that his team was scared of the Dragons and that was shocking to see. Got to give credit Orion coach Kevin Kopec and Courtney Kimmel, they had this team prepared for Clarkston.
In the Freshman contest, the words domination is an understatement. The Dragons dominated the Wolves 40-8 and led 28-2 at half. Orion had balanced scoring on the night and its a credit to coach Bob Brydges who returns back to the bench and has had successful coaching career at Bloomfield Hills Lahser along with his team.
The three games in Clarkston show two different programs going two different directions. One going up and one going down. Although it might not show this year, the games showed the direction both teams are going.
Heading into the game on Thursday night, the Dragons knew it had a tough challenge with Clarkston's Marquette bound senior Erika Davenport.
Davenport scored 30 points, leading the Wolves to a 48-35 Girls Basketball win over Orion. It was the Dragons first loss of the season.
But also I look at two teams going opposite directions.
Orion has been here before, beating the teams they are suppose to beat and the lose to the teams that are suppose to lose. The Dragons were 12-8 last season but did not get that signature win a season ago.
I thought Orion played well for three quarters but foul trouble was the difference in the game and also Clarkston's defense showed up. They had a strong first half led by Sarah Voss, who had 11 of her 13 points in the second quarter. The Dragons led 23-16 at half.
Clarkston would then outscore Orion 32-12 in the second half but lets look at it from a different perspective.
The game told us that the two programs are going in opposite directions. The Wolves are so dependent on Davenport to carry them in games, which could be a huge problem if she gets shut down especially in league play. The Dragons are more balanced whether it's Hannah Hamay, Evelyn Wischmeyer, Delaney Haan, Cheyenne Lada-Sterling, Blair Stewart, or Sarah Voss carrying the load. Clarkston plays in the Red, Orion is in the White.
But it may not be long when Orion rejoins Clarkston in the Red.
In the Junior Varsity contest, the Dragons won 33-18. Despite the fact that Orion had a size mismatch against the much taller Wolves, the Dragons were balanced, they were the aggressive team and showed it on both sides of the floor. There was times that Clarkston's coach said that his team was scared of the Dragons and that was shocking to see. Got to give credit Orion coach Kevin Kopec and Courtney Kimmel, they had this team prepared for Clarkston.
In the Freshman contest, the words domination is an understatement. The Dragons dominated the Wolves 40-8 and led 28-2 at half. Orion had balanced scoring on the night and its a credit to coach Bob Brydges who returns back to the bench and has had successful coaching career at Bloomfield Hills Lahser along with his team.
The three games in Clarkston show two different programs going two different directions. One going up and one going down. Although it might not show this year, the games showed the direction both teams are going.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Dragons Update.
Written Sunday January 4th, at 12:15 AM
Happy New Year to all of Orion,
The Dragons Girls Basketball team is off to a 4-0 start and have relied on Hannah Hamay and Evelyn Wischmeyer to carry the team so far and they might have to do so again. The schedule is going to get tough after the Farmington game as Orion will play Clarkston, Adams, and Seaholm and in between they will open up league play against Avondale. I believe that the Dragons will be tested against Clarkston and Adams and will see what they are made of and expect Orion to be in the league race all season long.
The Dragons wrestling team took tenth place in Oakland County a few weeks ago but there is high expectations for first year coach Jeff Smart. Smart who is an assistant coach with the Orion Junior Varsity Football team and has a deep crew this season. Orion dropped down a division from the Red to the White. The White is manageable but will have teams like West Bloomfield, Pontiac, and Southfield to deal with this season.
The Dragons Boys Basketball team is off to a tough 0-2 start to start the season. The schedule is brutal though with Orion having to play Oxford, Adams, Clarkston, Southfield, Lathrup, Bloomfield Hills, and Stoney Creek early and that's not league play yet. The Dragons backcourt is solid led by Joe Turnbull and Elmalik Martin. Expect the Dragons boys to be tested mentally during the season.
Nothing much on Cheerleading, Bowling, and Power-lifting. Enjoy 2015 folks in Dragons Country.
Happy New Year to all of Orion,
The Dragons Girls Basketball team is off to a 4-0 start and have relied on Hannah Hamay and Evelyn Wischmeyer to carry the team so far and they might have to do so again. The schedule is going to get tough after the Farmington game as Orion will play Clarkston, Adams, and Seaholm and in between they will open up league play against Avondale. I believe that the Dragons will be tested against Clarkston and Adams and will see what they are made of and expect Orion to be in the league race all season long.
The Dragons wrestling team took tenth place in Oakland County a few weeks ago but there is high expectations for first year coach Jeff Smart. Smart who is an assistant coach with the Orion Junior Varsity Football team and has a deep crew this season. Orion dropped down a division from the Red to the White. The White is manageable but will have teams like West Bloomfield, Pontiac, and Southfield to deal with this season.
The Dragons Boys Basketball team is off to a tough 0-2 start to start the season. The schedule is brutal though with Orion having to play Oxford, Adams, Clarkston, Southfield, Lathrup, Bloomfield Hills, and Stoney Creek early and that's not league play yet. The Dragons backcourt is solid led by Joe Turnbull and Elmalik Martin. Expect the Dragons boys to be tested mentally during the season.
Nothing much on Cheerleading, Bowling, and Power-lifting. Enjoy 2015 folks in Dragons Country.
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