Written Monday December 6th, at 9:22 AM
Early in the season, most experts wouldn't see the Lake Orion Girls Varsity Basketball team being 2-0 at this point, 1-1 would make sense to them.
Well they are 2-0 and 1-0 in the OAA Red.
The Dragons are 2-0, for this reason. On Tuesday night, opening night the Dragons had to comeback and beat Waterford Mott at Waterford in a wild game 44-42. During the game Orion had to survive not only Waterford Mott but the officiating as well, as they had some questionable calls in that game. After the Tuesday win the Dragons pulled off what is to be a shocking 33-24 victory over Pontiac at Lake Orion on Friday Night, it was the first time in two seasons that the Dragons have beat Pontiac (last win over Pontiac came against Pontiac Central two seasons ago, but a while against Pontiac Northern.)
The main reason why the Dragons are 2-0 is because of their defense, they have allowed on average 33 points per game in their two previous contests. Offensively the Dragons have scored on average of 38 points per game.
The OAA Red projected before the season started was 1. Southfield-Lathrup, 2. Pontiac, 3. Troy, 4. Troy Athens, 5. Stoney Creek, 6. Clarkston, 7. North Farmington, 8. Rochester, 9. Lake Orion.
The Dragons Freshman team is 0-1, after suffering a 42-20 loss to Oxford on Friday Night, while the Dragons Junior Varsity team defeated Waterford Mott 34-14 on Tuesday Night but lost to Pontiac 41-18 on Friday Night.
The Dragons next action is on Tuesday Night as the JV and Varsity teams will travel up the road to Livernois and Walton Roads and take on the Rochester Falcons (0-2, 0-2 OAA Red). The Falcons have lost their last two games, both were in league play, to Clarkston (48-31) and to North Farmington (48-26.) The Falcons are averaging 25 points per game offensively, while allowing 48 points per game in their last two games. On Thursday Night the Dragons will travel to Troy and take on the 2-0 (2-0 OAA Red) Colts. Troy is projected to finish third in the league, so this should be an interesting week for the ladies. GO GREEN.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Dreams Do Come True, Dragons defeat Wildcats to Win First ever State Championship
Written, Saturday November 27th, at 7:45 PM
The Dream is here for one prideful community, who wanted to be a top of the State and now it has came. Who would have ever thought that this day would come? or that anyone would say the 2010 Division One, Michigan High School Athletic Association State Champion, Lake Orion Dragons. It happened on Saturday at Ford Field.
The reality and the dream that one football town got was a State Championship for the first time ever, when the final seconds went off the clock at Ford Field, 107 players, alumni, staff, and coaches celebrated. Those on the field stormed it as the Dragons beat the Plymouth Wildcats 21-13 for their first ever State Championship.
Dragon Coach Chris Bell, can now take the monkey off the back, the fact the Dragons are a good team not to ever win a State Championship. "There's the accomplishment, to remove the label of good enough but not there yet. It's a huge accomplishment. You better believe it" Bell said.
The biggest reason why the Dragons is celebrating is their star running back Marques Stevenson. Stevenson has carried the Dragons on the ground this season, going over 2,000 yards in the final 14 games of his high school career, he is not sure where he will be going to college, but he will likely play football for a Division One School. Stevenson had 186 yards on 27 carries in the game against Plymouth. Everybody will talk about the two touchdowns that Stevenson scored but the most important carry of the game came when he didn't have to score a touchdown, it was to keep the clock moving.
On a third down and 15 from the Dragon 26 yard line and with 3:15 left in the game Stevenson ran a 34 yard run on a trap play to the Plymouth 40 yard line and kill more precious clock. Stevenson thoughts on the play of the game and the play that gave the Dragons their first ever State Championship. "I just saw a little opening outside. I bounced it. It was a risk, but obviously it paid off, I was determined to get the first down." Stevenson said.
The Dragons then went on to kill the clock from there on with two plays, causing Plymouth to use their remaining timeouts.
Plymouth head coach Mike Sawachuk praised Stevenson but also thought his Wildcat defense had their chances to contain Stevenson but could not. "I think he's a heck of a back, We had him wrapped up and he wiggled away" Sawachuk added.
The Dragons defense played it's part, only allowing six points against a very good Plymouth offense, led by their star Michigan recruit Brendan Beyer, who is going to Ann Arbor to play defensive end. The Dragons held Beyer in check offensively, to only three catches for 46 yards.
The Dragons got on the board first on a five play, 46 yard drive when quarterback Cole Schaenzer scrambled for a 23 yard run, diving into the end-zone for a Dragon touchdown, Dragon kicker Kyle Searlie added the extra point and went up 7-0.
The Wildcats answered the Dragon touchdown with an eight play, 43 yard drive leading to a 43 yard field goal from Notre Dame recruit and Plymouth kicker Kyle Brindza, making the score 7-3 Orion in the first quarter.
The Dragons then took over the second quarter, predominantly thanks to Stevenson, Demetri Hudson, and Dan Ney. Running back Demetri Hudson then broke off a long drive taking it to the Wildcats three yard line, plus adding a personal foul penalty against Plymouth for nailing wide receiver/defensive back Zach Zott to the Ford field turf. That play took it to the one yard line. The next play Stevenson ran the ball to the end-zone for a one yard touchdown run along with a Searlie kick made it 14-3 Green and White.
Orion however wasn't done scoring, after forcing Plymouth to punt, the Dragons used a four play 83 yard drive, capped by Stevenson's 36 yard touchdown run. Schaenzer's only completion of the game came in the second quarter when he tossed a 40 yard pass to Ney to set up the Dragon score to the Plymouth 36 yard line, one play later Stevenson was in the end-zone sprinting by Wildcats defenders toward the goal line, that score along with a Searlie kick gave the Dragons a 21-3 lead. Late in the quarter Zach Zott intercepted Wildcats quarterback Sean Austin at midfield, closing out the half at 21-3 in favor of the Dragons.
The third quarter went to Plymouth, the Dragons couldn't get anything started and were forced to punt the ball to the Wildcats. Plymouth punt returner and defensive back Victor Hicks, took the ball and returned it 46 yards for a Wildcats touchdown, Brindza added the point after touchdown, and momentum was starting to shift from the Dragons to the Wildcats at 21-10.
Plymouth's defense came to life led by Beyer, forcing a three and out on the Dragons next drive but the Dragons shut down the Wildcats offense causing to turn the ball over twice on downs, however the Wildcats forced the Dragons first turnover in two weeks when Dante Fox recovered a Cole Schaenzer fumble at the Dragon 40 yard line, giving the Wildcats new hope as we head to the fourth quarter with the Wildcats driving.
Plymouth drove to the Dragon 11 yard line, however the defense did not break as they shut down Brendan Beyer throughout the game, the Wildcats did get some points however with another field goal from 28 yards Kyle Brindza making the score 21-13 Dragons with 9:54 left in the game on a nine play, 29 yard drive. The Wildcats final drive came when the Dragons forced a punt at the Plymouth 34 yard line to the Dragons 25 yard line, and that's when Stevenson, Ney, and Hudson took over.
Ney finished his senior career with one catch for 40 yards, and 11 carries for 51 yards, Hudson finished four carries and 56 yards. Schaenzer was one for four passing for 40 yards and was sacked twice, for Schaenzer he has had some experience playing quarterback but taking over for Sean Charette was not an easy task, "It was definitely a shock at first, but I played quarterback before, at the JV level." Schaenzer said.
For the Wildcats, quarterback Sean Austin was 17 for 28 with 138 yards, Jerel Jenkins finished with 12 carries for 27 yards. Receiving for Plymouth, Michigan recruit Brendan Beyer had three catches for 46 yards as mentioned, while leading the way for the Wildcats were Thomas Afetian who caught six passes for 36 yards and Michael Olevinak who caught five catches for 32 yards.
The Dragons finished the year, State Champions of Division One at 13-1, while Plymouth finishes 11-3 and the runner up of Division One.
Tonight is the night of the Dragon, dreams do come true, especially in one community who has been waiting for this day to come, and it finally has, you are finally the best team in the State of Michigan. GO GREEN.
The Dream is here for one prideful community, who wanted to be a top of the State and now it has came. Who would have ever thought that this day would come? or that anyone would say the 2010 Division One, Michigan High School Athletic Association State Champion, Lake Orion Dragons. It happened on Saturday at Ford Field.
The reality and the dream that one football town got was a State Championship for the first time ever, when the final seconds went off the clock at Ford Field, 107 players, alumni, staff, and coaches celebrated. Those on the field stormed it as the Dragons beat the Plymouth Wildcats 21-13 for their first ever State Championship.
Dragon Coach Chris Bell, can now take the monkey off the back, the fact the Dragons are a good team not to ever win a State Championship. "There's the accomplishment, to remove the label of good enough but not there yet. It's a huge accomplishment. You better believe it" Bell said.
The biggest reason why the Dragons is celebrating is their star running back Marques Stevenson. Stevenson has carried the Dragons on the ground this season, going over 2,000 yards in the final 14 games of his high school career, he is not sure where he will be going to college, but he will likely play football for a Division One School. Stevenson had 186 yards on 27 carries in the game against Plymouth. Everybody will talk about the two touchdowns that Stevenson scored but the most important carry of the game came when he didn't have to score a touchdown, it was to keep the clock moving.
On a third down and 15 from the Dragon 26 yard line and with 3:15 left in the game Stevenson ran a 34 yard run on a trap play to the Plymouth 40 yard line and kill more precious clock. Stevenson thoughts on the play of the game and the play that gave the Dragons their first ever State Championship. "I just saw a little opening outside. I bounced it. It was a risk, but obviously it paid off, I was determined to get the first down." Stevenson said.
The Dragons then went on to kill the clock from there on with two plays, causing Plymouth to use their remaining timeouts.
Plymouth head coach Mike Sawachuk praised Stevenson but also thought his Wildcat defense had their chances to contain Stevenson but could not. "I think he's a heck of a back, We had him wrapped up and he wiggled away" Sawachuk added.
The Dragons defense played it's part, only allowing six points against a very good Plymouth offense, led by their star Michigan recruit Brendan Beyer, who is going to Ann Arbor to play defensive end. The Dragons held Beyer in check offensively, to only three catches for 46 yards.
The Dragons got on the board first on a five play, 46 yard drive when quarterback Cole Schaenzer scrambled for a 23 yard run, diving into the end-zone for a Dragon touchdown, Dragon kicker Kyle Searlie added the extra point and went up 7-0.
The Wildcats answered the Dragon touchdown with an eight play, 43 yard drive leading to a 43 yard field goal from Notre Dame recruit and Plymouth kicker Kyle Brindza, making the score 7-3 Orion in the first quarter.
The Dragons then took over the second quarter, predominantly thanks to Stevenson, Demetri Hudson, and Dan Ney. Running back Demetri Hudson then broke off a long drive taking it to the Wildcats three yard line, plus adding a personal foul penalty against Plymouth for nailing wide receiver/defensive back Zach Zott to the Ford field turf. That play took it to the one yard line. The next play Stevenson ran the ball to the end-zone for a one yard touchdown run along with a Searlie kick made it 14-3 Green and White.
Orion however wasn't done scoring, after forcing Plymouth to punt, the Dragons used a four play 83 yard drive, capped by Stevenson's 36 yard touchdown run. Schaenzer's only completion of the game came in the second quarter when he tossed a 40 yard pass to Ney to set up the Dragon score to the Plymouth 36 yard line, one play later Stevenson was in the end-zone sprinting by Wildcats defenders toward the goal line, that score along with a Searlie kick gave the Dragons a 21-3 lead. Late in the quarter Zach Zott intercepted Wildcats quarterback Sean Austin at midfield, closing out the half at 21-3 in favor of the Dragons.
The third quarter went to Plymouth, the Dragons couldn't get anything started and were forced to punt the ball to the Wildcats. Plymouth punt returner and defensive back Victor Hicks, took the ball and returned it 46 yards for a Wildcats touchdown, Brindza added the point after touchdown, and momentum was starting to shift from the Dragons to the Wildcats at 21-10.
Plymouth's defense came to life led by Beyer, forcing a three and out on the Dragons next drive but the Dragons shut down the Wildcats offense causing to turn the ball over twice on downs, however the Wildcats forced the Dragons first turnover in two weeks when Dante Fox recovered a Cole Schaenzer fumble at the Dragon 40 yard line, giving the Wildcats new hope as we head to the fourth quarter with the Wildcats driving.
Plymouth drove to the Dragon 11 yard line, however the defense did not break as they shut down Brendan Beyer throughout the game, the Wildcats did get some points however with another field goal from 28 yards Kyle Brindza making the score 21-13 Dragons with 9:54 left in the game on a nine play, 29 yard drive. The Wildcats final drive came when the Dragons forced a punt at the Plymouth 34 yard line to the Dragons 25 yard line, and that's when Stevenson, Ney, and Hudson took over.
Ney finished his senior career with one catch for 40 yards, and 11 carries for 51 yards, Hudson finished four carries and 56 yards. Schaenzer was one for four passing for 40 yards and was sacked twice, for Schaenzer he has had some experience playing quarterback but taking over for Sean Charette was not an easy task, "It was definitely a shock at first, but I played quarterback before, at the JV level." Schaenzer said.
For the Wildcats, quarterback Sean Austin was 17 for 28 with 138 yards, Jerel Jenkins finished with 12 carries for 27 yards. Receiving for Plymouth, Michigan recruit Brendan Beyer had three catches for 46 yards as mentioned, while leading the way for the Wildcats were Thomas Afetian who caught six passes for 36 yards and Michael Olevinak who caught five catches for 32 yards.
The Dragons finished the year, State Champions of Division One at 13-1, while Plymouth finishes 11-3 and the runner up of Division One.
Tonight is the night of the Dragon, dreams do come true, especially in one community who has been waiting for this day to come, and it finally has, you are finally the best team in the State of Michigan. GO GREEN.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Dragons Beat Detroit Cass Tech, heads to Ford Field to take on Plymouth. Also early preview on Plymouth
Written Saturday November 20th, at 9:30 PM
What a game, what a showdown, the Dragons are moving on. Only two newspapers, the Oakland Press and North Oakland Sports.com, picked the Dragons to win this game, and it didn't come easy
In the game's finest hour with the Dragons season was on the line, up by three points Detroit Cass Tech just completed a pass from quarterback Keith Moore to Terry Richardson on a fourth down and 13, to the Dragons 13 yard line and the red zone.
As the Technicians got to the Dragon five yard line with 35 seconds left, one play changed everything for two teams, one team saw it's dream move on while the other saw it's season come to an end.
Andrew Shafkalis, a junior, the son of Dragons Boys Basketball Coach Mike Shafkalis, and a transfer from Rochester who converted from linebacker to defensive line ran straight to Detroit Cass Tech quarterback Keith Moore, who was running a quarterback option play to his wide receiver Keenan Smith, separated Moore from the football, causing it to go backwards and then the may-lay started.
The may-lay started when Shafkalis caused the fumble, it rolled a few times to the 25 yard line, then the pile started to see who had the ball, it looked like Detroit Cass Tech had the football but senior strong safety Tyler Misiak got up with the football and sent the Dragon players, coaches, alumni, teachers, staff, and fans into a state of delirium, while the players from Detroit Cass Tech stood there in disbelief and in tears of a perfect season gone away, with 32.8 seconds left in the game.
The Dragons survived the Technicians 24-21 on Saturday at Troy Athens High School in the State Semifinals.
Shafkalis credited the adjustments that he was told by Dragon Coach Chris Bell, after the fumble to reporters, "Coach (Bell) made an adjustment and told me that if they try a counter play like that just go straight to the quarterback and that’s what I did. I made a run at him and was able to get it out of his hands before he pitched it, then my teammates did the rest." Shafkalis said after the game.
Dragon safety Tyler Misiak described what happened on the play after Shafkalis's fumble. "We studied film all week and a slot went in arc motion so I just went and I saw the ball go up in the air. A kid had it on their team but it flipped rolled, flip rolled again. A guy had it on their team again and I just ripped it out of his hands." Misiak said.
The Dragons opportunistic defense took the credit causing pressure all day to Detroit Cass Tech starting quarterback Keith Moore, Moore had threw for seven touchdowns in their last two games, didn't score a touchdown. All of the touchdown's from Detroit Cass Tech came from their star running back Christian Burks. Burks finished the game with 18 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
The Dragons did not panic as they started off the game down 7-0 after committing two off side penalties, and a 15 yard touchdown from Burks in the process out of a nine play 61 yard drive. The Dragons first drive went for a fake field goal that failed. The Dragons on their second drive answered on a three play 64 yard drive, led by quarterback Cole Schaenzer, running back Marcus Stevenson and slot receiver Danny Ney. Stevenson scored the Dragons first touchdown from 44 yards out, tying the game at 7-7.
Detroit Cass Tech answered with a scoring drive of their own, resulting in a 46 yard touchdown run by Burks that gave the Technicians a 14-7 lead, however the Dragons answered yet again, quarterback Cole Schaenzer passed to Danny Ney for 25 yards then Schaenzer (who was replacing Sean Charette as we all know with his broken ankle) then threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to his wide receiver replacement Robert Aiello tying the game back up 14-14.
The Dragon opportunistic defense started to get some momentum and some confidence, stopping Detroit Cass Tech's offense, and forcing Detroit Cass Tech to punt with about a minute left in the half. The Dragons then ran the ball with Marcus Stevenson, and went down the field to the Detroit Cass Tech 13 yard line. The Dragons kicker Kyle Searlie then kicked a 31 yard field goal to close out the half and giving the Dragons a 17-14 lead to the half.
In the second half, the Dragons had a long 11 play, 80 yard drive leading to a two yard touchdown run by Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson's touchdown and kick by Kyle Searlie gave the Dragons a 24-14 lead in the third quarter. All the momentum was on the side of the Dragons, everything was going smoothly for the Dragons until the Dragons had a three and out, courtesy of the Detroit Cass Tech defense. The Dragons were forced to punt and Detroit Cass Tech took over at their own 40 yard line.
Detroit Cass Tech wasn't done yet scoring by any means necessary, the Technicians led by the running and athletic ability of quarterback Keith Moore and running back Christian Burks answered early in the fourth quarter with a 60 yard drive of their own with Burks scoring his third touchdown of the game from 15 yards making it 24-21 Dragons with 8:43 left in the game.
The Dragons then went down the field deep into Detroit Cass Tech territory and try to eat up the clock, however the Technician defense stood firm, causing the Dragons to turn the ball over on downs from the Detroit Cass Tech 23 yard line, with three minutes left in the game. Moore and Burks then carried Detroit Cass Tech to the 50 yard line with their own speed and quickness, then they completed the fourth down and 13 throw from the 36 yard line of the Dragons to the 13 yard line, then Moore ran for another 8 yards before the fumble that sealed it.
Dragon coach Chris Bell praised his team after the game and the hard fought victory they had to en-dour. "It came down to the last minute and that’s probably the way a game like this should end,I’m just really proud of our kids, they earned this." Bell said.
Schaenzer finished the game five for 12 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown, got praised from his teammates and his coach about his performance, also there was one key stat, the Dragons did not turn the ball over, that was huge because in Detroit Cass Tech's win over Macomb Dakota in the Regional Final, the Detroit Cass Tech defense caused five turnovers. "Cole played exactly how we thought he would, he was prepared and did a great job. He made some big throws to keep some drives alive and threw a key touchdown pass. Everyone knows we’ve got one of the area’s best quarterbacks in Sean Charette, but we weren’t worried when he went down because we know we’re very lucky to have a guy like Cole to keep this thing rolling." Bell said.
Running back Marcus Stevenson knew he had to carry the ball a lot for the Dragon ground attack but he had a lot of confidence in Cole Schaenzer's performance. "Honestly, I knew I was going to have to carry the rock a lot this week because Shawn was out, obviously, but we have all the confidence in Cole Schaenzer, for me, Coach Bell told me it's not my responsibility to win the game, it's a team effort and it really showed." Stevenson finished the game with 26 carries, 190 yards and two touchdowns.
This loss was so tough for Detroit Cass Tech, players were bummed out, some were crying, their student section, fans, and band were notoriously upset at the outcome. Detroit Cass Tech finished the season at 12-1, and was the best team in the Detroit Public School League.
Detroit Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher said that his defensive adjustments came to late during the game, and if they made them earlier then things would have been different. "We just didn't make the adjustments earlier enough, We didn't control the line of scrimmage the way I thought we could. Our defense woke up too late. They did a good job and we came up short. Today they were the better team. Today they showed why they have a chance to go back" Wilcher said.
Detroit Cass Tech does have several athletes being recruited by Division One schools but today it was the Dragons day to shine and Ford Field will be decked in half of Dragon green. Stevenson added about the athletes of Detroit Cass Tech and having to go up against them, hearing about it all week. "All we've been hearing all week is how many athletes they have, but we have athletes, too, and we move well in space just like they did and it showed. The team that is more physical and fundamental is going to prevail and it showed today" Stevenson said.
The Dragons are now 12-1 on the season, and head to Ford Field for the second time in three years will take on the Plymouth Wildcats (11-2) on Saturday at 1 PM. The game will be live on Fox Sports Detroit, if you can't make it out to Ford Field. The only common opponent that both teams saw this season was Howell, the Highlanders beat the Wildcats 18-10 in week two while the Dragons scrimmaged the Highlanders in the pre-season.
Plymouth plays in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, they are in it's South Division along with Plymouth Canton, Westland John Glenn, Wayne Memorial, Livonia Franklin, and Livonia Stevenson. The Wildcats finished second in the division behind Plymouth Canton has been riding high lately in the playoffs.
The Wildcats are what you call a team of destiny so far in the playoffs so far. This is Plymouth's first trip to the State finals, and the first in their six year program of Wildcat football.
After dispatching Saline 27-7 in the first round and their first ever time moving past this round, the Wildcats then shocked the entire state by upsetting unbeaten and arch rival Plymouth Canton 17-7 on the road (The Chiefs beat the Wildcats earlier in the regular season 36-0) but were they done upsetting people on the road? nope.
Plymouth then went into Novi to take on the Shamrocks of Novi Detroit Catholic Central. Plymouth and Catholic Central was a defensive slug-fest, however Plymouth relied on their strong field goal kicker Kyle Brindza, he kicked three field goals, all the Wildcats points they scored, including a 28 yard field goal with 39.9 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats went on and shocked defending state champion Novi Detroit Catholic Central 9-7 to capture the regional crown but were they done yet pulling off the upset? not even close.
Plymouth then went to Lansing Everett to complete what was their third major upset of the playoffs, when they ousted the Rockford Rams 20-17. The winning touchdown came from a nine play 83 yard drive with 4.5 seconds left in the game, when Brendan Beyer caught a 26 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shaun Austin from the left corner of the end-zone being double covered in the process.
The Wildcats held a 13-10 lead with 90 seconds left in the game, but the Rams answered back by scoring a 46 yard touchdown to take their first lead of the game 17-13 with 1:19 remaining. However Plymouth living up to their name "The Cardiac Cats" did not give up, or were intimated by the Rams, they used their strength to their advantage which is throwing the ball, to defeat the Rams.
The Wildcats come into this game, averaging 18.2 points per game in the playoffs, while their main strength is their defense, their defense is only allowing 9.5 points per game in the playoffs. The Dragons come into this game, averaging 34.2 points per game in the playoffs, while only allowing 13 points per game in the playoffs.
The main match-up that fans needs to be looking for is the Dragons high power offense vs the Wildcats tough nosed defense, who contained Plymouth Canton, Rockford, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central to 31 points total.
Plymouth is led by their six foot four star wide receiver/defensive end (# 7) Brendan Beyer, as mentioned in the Rockford game, Beyer is going to play defensive end under Rich Rodriguez at Michigan next season. Beyer caught the winning 26 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shaun Austin against Rockford, On the winning touchdown Beyer was double covered by two Rams defenders to the back corner of the end-zone, then he caught it with 4.5 seconds left in the game. He added two sacks against Rockford as a defensive end. Back to the offense, Plymouth's other score against the Rams came from Beyer when he caught a 12 yard touchdown pass from Austin on the Wildcats first series of the game. Beyer had five catches for 105 yards and two huge Wildcat touchdowns in their win over the Rams.
The Wildcats do have a very good field goal kicker, with a good leg in Kyle Brindza (# 27). Brindza has committed to kick at Notre Dame and for head coach Brian Kelly. He has kicked five field goals in the last two games for the Wildcats, whether it's from 20 yards or 50 yards, he is a very good, well rounded, and accurate kicker. Playing indoors means there will be no wind stopping his kicks.
Plymouth does have a good quarterback in Shaun Austin (# 8), he is another reason why the Wildcats are here. Austin was 22 for 37 for 237 yards and two passing touchdowns against Rockford. On the game winning 83 yard drive Austin was six for nine passing passing for all of those 83 yards. He has been playing very well recently, especially going up against three of the toughest defenses in the State in Plymouth Canton, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, and Rockford.
Plymouth does have some nice weapons though in seniors Jake Morris (caught a 15 yard reception, had five catches for 58 yards) and Michael Olevink (had a huge 14 yard reception), both of them caught huge passes to keep the drive alive for the Wildcats against the Rams, Plymouth will pose a huge threat to the Dragons pass defense, however same for the Wildcats who would have to worry about the balance the Dragons have of run and pass.
Saturday should be an interesting game between two teams that weren't suppose to be here, early in the playoffs no one was talking about these two teams in the finals, well here we are, it should be interesting, oh and just a reminder the Dragons will wear white at Ford Field, and it's a white out. GO GREEN.
What a game, what a showdown, the Dragons are moving on. Only two newspapers, the Oakland Press and North Oakland Sports.com, picked the Dragons to win this game, and it didn't come easy
In the game's finest hour with the Dragons season was on the line, up by three points Detroit Cass Tech just completed a pass from quarterback Keith Moore to Terry Richardson on a fourth down and 13, to the Dragons 13 yard line and the red zone.
As the Technicians got to the Dragon five yard line with 35 seconds left, one play changed everything for two teams, one team saw it's dream move on while the other saw it's season come to an end.
Andrew Shafkalis, a junior, the son of Dragons Boys Basketball Coach Mike Shafkalis, and a transfer from Rochester who converted from linebacker to defensive line ran straight to Detroit Cass Tech quarterback Keith Moore, who was running a quarterback option play to his wide receiver Keenan Smith, separated Moore from the football, causing it to go backwards and then the may-lay started.
The may-lay started when Shafkalis caused the fumble, it rolled a few times to the 25 yard line, then the pile started to see who had the ball, it looked like Detroit Cass Tech had the football but senior strong safety Tyler Misiak got up with the football and sent the Dragon players, coaches, alumni, teachers, staff, and fans into a state of delirium, while the players from Detroit Cass Tech stood there in disbelief and in tears of a perfect season gone away, with 32.8 seconds left in the game.
The Dragons survived the Technicians 24-21 on Saturday at Troy Athens High School in the State Semifinals.
Shafkalis credited the adjustments that he was told by Dragon Coach Chris Bell, after the fumble to reporters, "Coach (Bell) made an adjustment and told me that if they try a counter play like that just go straight to the quarterback and that’s what I did. I made a run at him and was able to get it out of his hands before he pitched it, then my teammates did the rest." Shafkalis said after the game.
Dragon safety Tyler Misiak described what happened on the play after Shafkalis's fumble. "We studied film all week and a slot went in arc motion so I just went and I saw the ball go up in the air. A kid had it on their team but it flipped rolled, flip rolled again. A guy had it on their team again and I just ripped it out of his hands." Misiak said.
The Dragons opportunistic defense took the credit causing pressure all day to Detroit Cass Tech starting quarterback Keith Moore, Moore had threw for seven touchdowns in their last two games, didn't score a touchdown. All of the touchdown's from Detroit Cass Tech came from their star running back Christian Burks. Burks finished the game with 18 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
The Dragons did not panic as they started off the game down 7-0 after committing two off side penalties, and a 15 yard touchdown from Burks in the process out of a nine play 61 yard drive. The Dragons first drive went for a fake field goal that failed. The Dragons on their second drive answered on a three play 64 yard drive, led by quarterback Cole Schaenzer, running back Marcus Stevenson and slot receiver Danny Ney. Stevenson scored the Dragons first touchdown from 44 yards out, tying the game at 7-7.
Detroit Cass Tech answered with a scoring drive of their own, resulting in a 46 yard touchdown run by Burks that gave the Technicians a 14-7 lead, however the Dragons answered yet again, quarterback Cole Schaenzer passed to Danny Ney for 25 yards then Schaenzer (who was replacing Sean Charette as we all know with his broken ankle) then threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to his wide receiver replacement Robert Aiello tying the game back up 14-14.
The Dragon opportunistic defense started to get some momentum and some confidence, stopping Detroit Cass Tech's offense, and forcing Detroit Cass Tech to punt with about a minute left in the half. The Dragons then ran the ball with Marcus Stevenson, and went down the field to the Detroit Cass Tech 13 yard line. The Dragons kicker Kyle Searlie then kicked a 31 yard field goal to close out the half and giving the Dragons a 17-14 lead to the half.
In the second half, the Dragons had a long 11 play, 80 yard drive leading to a two yard touchdown run by Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson's touchdown and kick by Kyle Searlie gave the Dragons a 24-14 lead in the third quarter. All the momentum was on the side of the Dragons, everything was going smoothly for the Dragons until the Dragons had a three and out, courtesy of the Detroit Cass Tech defense. The Dragons were forced to punt and Detroit Cass Tech took over at their own 40 yard line.
Detroit Cass Tech wasn't done yet scoring by any means necessary, the Technicians led by the running and athletic ability of quarterback Keith Moore and running back Christian Burks answered early in the fourth quarter with a 60 yard drive of their own with Burks scoring his third touchdown of the game from 15 yards making it 24-21 Dragons with 8:43 left in the game.
The Dragons then went down the field deep into Detroit Cass Tech territory and try to eat up the clock, however the Technician defense stood firm, causing the Dragons to turn the ball over on downs from the Detroit Cass Tech 23 yard line, with three minutes left in the game. Moore and Burks then carried Detroit Cass Tech to the 50 yard line with their own speed and quickness, then they completed the fourth down and 13 throw from the 36 yard line of the Dragons to the 13 yard line, then Moore ran for another 8 yards before the fumble that sealed it.
Dragon coach Chris Bell praised his team after the game and the hard fought victory they had to en-dour. "It came down to the last minute and that’s probably the way a game like this should end,I’m just really proud of our kids, they earned this." Bell said.
Schaenzer finished the game five for 12 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown, got praised from his teammates and his coach about his performance, also there was one key stat, the Dragons did not turn the ball over, that was huge because in Detroit Cass Tech's win over Macomb Dakota in the Regional Final, the Detroit Cass Tech defense caused five turnovers. "Cole played exactly how we thought he would, he was prepared and did a great job. He made some big throws to keep some drives alive and threw a key touchdown pass. Everyone knows we’ve got one of the area’s best quarterbacks in Sean Charette, but we weren’t worried when he went down because we know we’re very lucky to have a guy like Cole to keep this thing rolling." Bell said.
Running back Marcus Stevenson knew he had to carry the ball a lot for the Dragon ground attack but he had a lot of confidence in Cole Schaenzer's performance. "Honestly, I knew I was going to have to carry the rock a lot this week because Shawn was out, obviously, but we have all the confidence in Cole Schaenzer, for me, Coach Bell told me it's not my responsibility to win the game, it's a team effort and it really showed." Stevenson finished the game with 26 carries, 190 yards and two touchdowns.
This loss was so tough for Detroit Cass Tech, players were bummed out, some were crying, their student section, fans, and band were notoriously upset at the outcome. Detroit Cass Tech finished the season at 12-1, and was the best team in the Detroit Public School League.
Detroit Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher said that his defensive adjustments came to late during the game, and if they made them earlier then things would have been different. "We just didn't make the adjustments earlier enough, We didn't control the line of scrimmage the way I thought we could. Our defense woke up too late. They did a good job and we came up short. Today they were the better team. Today they showed why they have a chance to go back" Wilcher said.
Detroit Cass Tech does have several athletes being recruited by Division One schools but today it was the Dragons day to shine and Ford Field will be decked in half of Dragon green. Stevenson added about the athletes of Detroit Cass Tech and having to go up against them, hearing about it all week. "All we've been hearing all week is how many athletes they have, but we have athletes, too, and we move well in space just like they did and it showed. The team that is more physical and fundamental is going to prevail and it showed today" Stevenson said.
The Dragons are now 12-1 on the season, and head to Ford Field for the second time in three years will take on the Plymouth Wildcats (11-2) on Saturday at 1 PM. The game will be live on Fox Sports Detroit, if you can't make it out to Ford Field. The only common opponent that both teams saw this season was Howell, the Highlanders beat the Wildcats 18-10 in week two while the Dragons scrimmaged the Highlanders in the pre-season.
Plymouth plays in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, they are in it's South Division along with Plymouth Canton, Westland John Glenn, Wayne Memorial, Livonia Franklin, and Livonia Stevenson. The Wildcats finished second in the division behind Plymouth Canton has been riding high lately in the playoffs.
The Wildcats are what you call a team of destiny so far in the playoffs so far. This is Plymouth's first trip to the State finals, and the first in their six year program of Wildcat football.
After dispatching Saline 27-7 in the first round and their first ever time moving past this round, the Wildcats then shocked the entire state by upsetting unbeaten and arch rival Plymouth Canton 17-7 on the road (The Chiefs beat the Wildcats earlier in the regular season 36-0) but were they done upsetting people on the road? nope.
Plymouth then went into Novi to take on the Shamrocks of Novi Detroit Catholic Central. Plymouth and Catholic Central was a defensive slug-fest, however Plymouth relied on their strong field goal kicker Kyle Brindza, he kicked three field goals, all the Wildcats points they scored, including a 28 yard field goal with 39.9 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats went on and shocked defending state champion Novi Detroit Catholic Central 9-7 to capture the regional crown but were they done yet pulling off the upset? not even close.
Plymouth then went to Lansing Everett to complete what was their third major upset of the playoffs, when they ousted the Rockford Rams 20-17. The winning touchdown came from a nine play 83 yard drive with 4.5 seconds left in the game, when Brendan Beyer caught a 26 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shaun Austin from the left corner of the end-zone being double covered in the process.
The Wildcats held a 13-10 lead with 90 seconds left in the game, but the Rams answered back by scoring a 46 yard touchdown to take their first lead of the game 17-13 with 1:19 remaining. However Plymouth living up to their name "The Cardiac Cats" did not give up, or were intimated by the Rams, they used their strength to their advantage which is throwing the ball, to defeat the Rams.
The Wildcats come into this game, averaging 18.2 points per game in the playoffs, while their main strength is their defense, their defense is only allowing 9.5 points per game in the playoffs. The Dragons come into this game, averaging 34.2 points per game in the playoffs, while only allowing 13 points per game in the playoffs.
The main match-up that fans needs to be looking for is the Dragons high power offense vs the Wildcats tough nosed defense, who contained Plymouth Canton, Rockford, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central to 31 points total.
Plymouth is led by their six foot four star wide receiver/defensive end (# 7) Brendan Beyer, as mentioned in the Rockford game, Beyer is going to play defensive end under Rich Rodriguez at Michigan next season. Beyer caught the winning 26 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shaun Austin against Rockford, On the winning touchdown Beyer was double covered by two Rams defenders to the back corner of the end-zone, then he caught it with 4.5 seconds left in the game. He added two sacks against Rockford as a defensive end. Back to the offense, Plymouth's other score against the Rams came from Beyer when he caught a 12 yard touchdown pass from Austin on the Wildcats first series of the game. Beyer had five catches for 105 yards and two huge Wildcat touchdowns in their win over the Rams.
The Wildcats do have a very good field goal kicker, with a good leg in Kyle Brindza (# 27). Brindza has committed to kick at Notre Dame and for head coach Brian Kelly. He has kicked five field goals in the last two games for the Wildcats, whether it's from 20 yards or 50 yards, he is a very good, well rounded, and accurate kicker. Playing indoors means there will be no wind stopping his kicks.
Plymouth does have a good quarterback in Shaun Austin (# 8), he is another reason why the Wildcats are here. Austin was 22 for 37 for 237 yards and two passing touchdowns against Rockford. On the game winning 83 yard drive Austin was six for nine passing passing for all of those 83 yards. He has been playing very well recently, especially going up against three of the toughest defenses in the State in Plymouth Canton, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, and Rockford.
Plymouth does have some nice weapons though in seniors Jake Morris (caught a 15 yard reception, had five catches for 58 yards) and Michael Olevink (had a huge 14 yard reception), both of them caught huge passes to keep the drive alive for the Wildcats against the Rams, Plymouth will pose a huge threat to the Dragons pass defense, however same for the Wildcats who would have to worry about the balance the Dragons have of run and pass.
Saturday should be an interesting game between two teams that weren't suppose to be here, early in the playoffs no one was talking about these two teams in the finals, well here we are, it should be interesting, oh and just a reminder the Dragons will wear white at Ford Field, and it's a white out. GO GREEN.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Dragon Volleyball season ends: Dragon Football Moves on to the State Semi-Finals
Written Sunday November 14th, at 9:25 PM
The Dragon ladies can not seem to figure out how to beat Birmingham Marian, first it was girls basketball and now it is girls volleyball.
The Dragons fell to the Mustangs in three games in the regional finals Thursday Night at Oxford, the Dragons finished the year 42-16-5 this volleyball season. The ladies only lose two Seniors and return three fourths of their team for next season, great season ladies.
The Dragon Football team had to hang on this week and observe what happened to their starting quarterback Sean Charette. The Dragons had to overcome the adversity of losing Charette, and led by backup quarterback Cole Schaenzer, running back Marcus Stevenson, and a tough defense defeated the Utica Eisenhower Eagles 17-10 at Dragon Stadium on Friday night, capturing the team's third regional crown in 14 years.
The Dragons are happy to be moving on to the State Semifinals and also to have the confidence in backup quarterback Cole Schaenzer. Schaenzer played Wide Receiver this season but is the team's backup quarterback, it reminded us a few seasons ago in 2007 when starting quarterback Chris Lum went down with a shoulder injury, only to return before the playoffs, Ryan Broth moved from running back/wide receiver to play quarterback for the Dragons, then when Lum came back Broth moved from quarterback to running back for the playoffs. "We have confidence in Schaenzer" Dragon Coach Chris Bell said, about Schaenzer moving from Wide Receiver to Quarterback after the injury to Charette.
Charette left the Dragons regional final tilt to an ankle injury, his status is uncertain for their State semifinal match-up with Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday at 1 PM at Troy Athens. The Dragon starting quarterback said that he will play next week against Detroit Cass Tech but it is uncertain if he will play or not on Saturday. "We'll see with Sean. We'll get him treatment and see how the week of practice goes." Bell added on Charette's ankle injury.
The Dragons are not satisfied with this win over Utica Eisenhower, if they can knock off Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday then the Dragons would return to Ford Field for the second time in three years. The winner of this game will face either Rockford, who had to escape Howell (31-27) or Plymouth who has the two biggest upsets of the State Tournament when they went on the road and upset top ranked Plymouth Canton (17-7) at Canton in the district finals and then went to Novi and upset the seventh ranked team in the State and defending State Champions Novi-Detroit Catholic Central 9-7 in the regional finals last week.
The Oakland Activities Association Red Division Champion Dragons are now 11-1 on the season, and prepare to face one of their toughest foes in unbeaten (12-0), the Detroit Public School League Champions, and the second best team in the State in the regular season the Detroit Cass Technical, Technicians, better known as Detroit Cass Tech, the Dragons were the sixth best team in the State.
In the regular season Detroit Cass Tech beat a few teams that made the playoffs from the Detroit Public School League and their only non league game, (Ann Arbor Pioneer 44-42 in Week One, Detroit Southeastern 42-0 in Week Four, Detroit Martin Luther King 25-0 in Week Five, Detroit Mumford 34-6 in Week Six, Detroit Cody 41-14 in Week Eight, and won the Detroit Public School League Championship over Detroit Crockett Tech 41-7 in Week Nine.) Detroit Cass Tech already has playoff wins over Detroit Southeastern (35-0), Dearborn Fordson (32-13), and now Macomb Dakota (31-19) to the victims of the Technicians.
Detroit Cass Tech brings in one of the best offenses in the State, averaging 32.8 points per game in the playoffs, while only allowing 10.6 points per game in the post season. They also have one of the state's best quarterbacks in Keith Moore. Moore has thrown for seven touchdowns in the last two games for the Technicians, (five vs Dearborn Fordson and two vs Macomb Dakota)
Detroit Cass Tech also has some speed-esters in running back Christian Burks, and defensive back/wide receiver Royce Jenkins-Stone. Burks scored twice of 21 and 54 yards in their win over Macomb Dakota, his 54 yard touchdown it sealed the game for Detroit Cass Tech. Burke finished with 249 yards on 18 carries Jenkins-Stone picked off an interception along with his partner and crime Terry Richardson.
Detroit Cass Tech had two interceptions in their win over Macomb Dakota. Also the Technicians have another wide receiver in Coach Thomas Wilcher's son, Kishan Wilcher. Wilcher has played very well for the Technicians powerful offense, including catching an 82 yard touchdown pass against Macomb Dakota last week.
Detroit Cass Tech also has a good defense along with the Dragons, in the playoffs both Detroit Cass Tech and the Dragons have allowed only ten points a game, both teams love to pressure and create turnovers. Detroit Cass Tech forced five turnovers in their win last week over Macomb Dakota, one was taken back for a touchdown that changed the momentum of the game. Both offenses are averaging over 30 points per game in the playoffs (Detroit Cass Tech 32.6 points per game: Lake Orion 37.6 points per game)
Detroit Cass Tech Football Coach Thomas Wilcher said that his team was getting disrespected by the teams from the suburbs, giving them a very bad rap and playing in a very bad league. "Even though we have bad facilities we still have great players. More of our players go to Division One schools than anywhere. And the PSL still has the best two teams remaining in the playoffs." he said about the Detroit Public School League to reporters.
Wilcher also openly called both Detroit Cass Tech and Macomb Dakota the two best teams in Division One, even though people in Lake Orion and in Rockford would strongly disagree and think otherwise about those comments. "I thought these were the two best teams left in Division One" he added.
However Macomb Dakota Coach Mike Giannone thought otherwise about Wilcher's comments, "I'm not going to say that we were the two best teams because Lake Orion is awfully good, and it should be a great game next week" Giannone said to reporters.
To some these comments insults two of the four remaining teams in the State Playoffs in Division One, Lake Orion and also in Rockford. The Dragons and the Rams were in the State Finals in 2008, let's remember that. The other Detroit Public School team Wilcher mentioned was Detroit Crockett Tech, who is still alive in the Division Four playoffs, getting ready to play Williamston also at 1 PM on Saturday at Novi Detroit Catholic Central.
However the Oakland Activities Association does have another member of the league that is still alive in the State Playoffs beside the Dragons, that is Farmington Hills Harrison, the only team that beat the Dragons earlier in the season (28-6), The Hawks are in the Division Two playoffs, ranked number one in the state in Division Two, they get to play Grosse-Pointe South in the State Semifinals on Saturday at 1 PM at West Bloomfield.
This should be an interesting game on Saturday at Troy Athens at 1 PM, two green teams going at it (Both Orion and Detroit Cass Tech wear Green and White) with the chance of Ford Field on the line. The playoff surroundings do favor the Dragons, they played at Troy Athens earlier in the season, beating the Red Hawks 45-7. The Red Hawks do play in the same division and conference as the Dragons, the Oakland Activities Association and also this game is being played in Oakland County. This will Detroit Cass Tech's first game outside of Wayne County since week one when they beat Ann Arbor Pioneer in a wild one at Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti: Washtenaw County) in the Big Day Prep Showdown 44-42. GO GREEN.
The Dragon ladies can not seem to figure out how to beat Birmingham Marian, first it was girls basketball and now it is girls volleyball.
The Dragons fell to the Mustangs in three games in the regional finals Thursday Night at Oxford, the Dragons finished the year 42-16-5 this volleyball season. The ladies only lose two Seniors and return three fourths of their team for next season, great season ladies.
The Dragon Football team had to hang on this week and observe what happened to their starting quarterback Sean Charette. The Dragons had to overcome the adversity of losing Charette, and led by backup quarterback Cole Schaenzer, running back Marcus Stevenson, and a tough defense defeated the Utica Eisenhower Eagles 17-10 at Dragon Stadium on Friday night, capturing the team's third regional crown in 14 years.
The Dragons are happy to be moving on to the State Semifinals and also to have the confidence in backup quarterback Cole Schaenzer. Schaenzer played Wide Receiver this season but is the team's backup quarterback, it reminded us a few seasons ago in 2007 when starting quarterback Chris Lum went down with a shoulder injury, only to return before the playoffs, Ryan Broth moved from running back/wide receiver to play quarterback for the Dragons, then when Lum came back Broth moved from quarterback to running back for the playoffs. "We have confidence in Schaenzer" Dragon Coach Chris Bell said, about Schaenzer moving from Wide Receiver to Quarterback after the injury to Charette.
Charette left the Dragons regional final tilt to an ankle injury, his status is uncertain for their State semifinal match-up with Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday at 1 PM at Troy Athens. The Dragon starting quarterback said that he will play next week against Detroit Cass Tech but it is uncertain if he will play or not on Saturday. "We'll see with Sean. We'll get him treatment and see how the week of practice goes." Bell added on Charette's ankle injury.
The Dragons are not satisfied with this win over Utica Eisenhower, if they can knock off Detroit Cass Tech on Saturday then the Dragons would return to Ford Field for the second time in three years. The winner of this game will face either Rockford, who had to escape Howell (31-27) or Plymouth who has the two biggest upsets of the State Tournament when they went on the road and upset top ranked Plymouth Canton (17-7) at Canton in the district finals and then went to Novi and upset the seventh ranked team in the State and defending State Champions Novi-Detroit Catholic Central 9-7 in the regional finals last week.
The Oakland Activities Association Red Division Champion Dragons are now 11-1 on the season, and prepare to face one of their toughest foes in unbeaten (12-0), the Detroit Public School League Champions, and the second best team in the State in the regular season the Detroit Cass Technical, Technicians, better known as Detroit Cass Tech, the Dragons were the sixth best team in the State.
In the regular season Detroit Cass Tech beat a few teams that made the playoffs from the Detroit Public School League and their only non league game, (Ann Arbor Pioneer 44-42 in Week One, Detroit Southeastern 42-0 in Week Four, Detroit Martin Luther King 25-0 in Week Five, Detroit Mumford 34-6 in Week Six, Detroit Cody 41-14 in Week Eight, and won the Detroit Public School League Championship over Detroit Crockett Tech 41-7 in Week Nine.) Detroit Cass Tech already has playoff wins over Detroit Southeastern (35-0), Dearborn Fordson (32-13), and now Macomb Dakota (31-19) to the victims of the Technicians.
Detroit Cass Tech brings in one of the best offenses in the State, averaging 32.8 points per game in the playoffs, while only allowing 10.6 points per game in the post season. They also have one of the state's best quarterbacks in Keith Moore. Moore has thrown for seven touchdowns in the last two games for the Technicians, (five vs Dearborn Fordson and two vs Macomb Dakota)
Detroit Cass Tech also has some speed-esters in running back Christian Burks, and defensive back/wide receiver Royce Jenkins-Stone. Burks scored twice of 21 and 54 yards in their win over Macomb Dakota, his 54 yard touchdown it sealed the game for Detroit Cass Tech. Burke finished with 249 yards on 18 carries Jenkins-Stone picked off an interception along with his partner and crime Terry Richardson.
Detroit Cass Tech had two interceptions in their win over Macomb Dakota. Also the Technicians have another wide receiver in Coach Thomas Wilcher's son, Kishan Wilcher. Wilcher has played very well for the Technicians powerful offense, including catching an 82 yard touchdown pass against Macomb Dakota last week.
Detroit Cass Tech also has a good defense along with the Dragons, in the playoffs both Detroit Cass Tech and the Dragons have allowed only ten points a game, both teams love to pressure and create turnovers. Detroit Cass Tech forced five turnovers in their win last week over Macomb Dakota, one was taken back for a touchdown that changed the momentum of the game. Both offenses are averaging over 30 points per game in the playoffs (Detroit Cass Tech 32.6 points per game: Lake Orion 37.6 points per game)
Detroit Cass Tech Football Coach Thomas Wilcher said that his team was getting disrespected by the teams from the suburbs, giving them a very bad rap and playing in a very bad league. "Even though we have bad facilities we still have great players. More of our players go to Division One schools than anywhere. And the PSL still has the best two teams remaining in the playoffs." he said about the Detroit Public School League to reporters.
Wilcher also openly called both Detroit Cass Tech and Macomb Dakota the two best teams in Division One, even though people in Lake Orion and in Rockford would strongly disagree and think otherwise about those comments. "I thought these were the two best teams left in Division One" he added.
However Macomb Dakota Coach Mike Giannone thought otherwise about Wilcher's comments, "I'm not going to say that we were the two best teams because Lake Orion is awfully good, and it should be a great game next week" Giannone said to reporters.
To some these comments insults two of the four remaining teams in the State Playoffs in Division One, Lake Orion and also in Rockford. The Dragons and the Rams were in the State Finals in 2008, let's remember that. The other Detroit Public School team Wilcher mentioned was Detroit Crockett Tech, who is still alive in the Division Four playoffs, getting ready to play Williamston also at 1 PM on Saturday at Novi Detroit Catholic Central.
However the Oakland Activities Association does have another member of the league that is still alive in the State Playoffs beside the Dragons, that is Farmington Hills Harrison, the only team that beat the Dragons earlier in the season (28-6), The Hawks are in the Division Two playoffs, ranked number one in the state in Division Two, they get to play Grosse-Pointe South in the State Semifinals on Saturday at 1 PM at West Bloomfield.
This should be an interesting game on Saturday at Troy Athens at 1 PM, two green teams going at it (Both Orion and Detroit Cass Tech wear Green and White) with the chance of Ford Field on the line. The playoff surroundings do favor the Dragons, they played at Troy Athens earlier in the season, beating the Red Hawks 45-7. The Red Hawks do play in the same division and conference as the Dragons, the Oakland Activities Association and also this game is being played in Oakland County. This will Detroit Cass Tech's first game outside of Wayne County since week one when they beat Ann Arbor Pioneer in a wild one at Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti: Washtenaw County) in the Big Day Prep Showdown 44-42. GO GREEN.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Dragon Volleyball on a Roll, and first regional final since 1988
Written, Wedensday November 10th, at 12:55 PM
Wow, what a roll the Dragon Volleyball team has been on these days.
The days of girls basketball season is upon us and the Dragon ladies are having their best volleyball season in years.
Last week the Dragons captured their first volleyball district championship in 15 years, when they swept Rochester 3-0 with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-15 win. They also had a tough five game stretch with Rochester Adams, needing the final game to move to the finals, and in the pre district they knocked off Romeo in three gamess.
On Tuesday the Dragons entered the regional semifinals at Oxford. They took on the Yellow Jackets of Auburn Hills Avondale in the first regional semifinal matchup of the day at Oxford. Avondale won their district at Waterford Kettering, in the process in the championship game the Yellow Jackets knocked the Captians out of the tournament in the process winning at their own gym.
Avondale was no match for the Dragons in the first two games, as the Dragons outscored them 50-20 in a span of two games. Game three changed everything however, the Yellow Jackets started to believe again, they held off a furious Dragon rally and upset the Dragons 25-23. However Game four was dominated by the Dragons, the Dragons restored order in the process, attacking them early and often during the game. They finished off the Yellow Jackets 25-15 and advanced to their first regional final in 22 years.
Orion now stands at 41-15-5 overall, and now will play defending state champion Birmingham Marian (65-5-5) on Thursday night at Oxford at 7 PM. Almost every volleyball expert has the Mustangs as the favorite in this matchup but the Mustangs have had some injury concerns heading into the postseason. This is one of Orion's most taltened team's, this will be a good one. Could this be the Dragons's chance to really do something special and pull off what would be the biggest upset in the state of Michigan?, we'll find out.
What a roll, but will the roll run out on Thursday Night at Oxford, hope not. GO GREEN.
Wow, what a roll the Dragon Volleyball team has been on these days.
The days of girls basketball season is upon us and the Dragon ladies are having their best volleyball season in years.
Last week the Dragons captured their first volleyball district championship in 15 years, when they swept Rochester 3-0 with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-15 win. They also had a tough five game stretch with Rochester Adams, needing the final game to move to the finals, and in the pre district they knocked off Romeo in three gamess.
On Tuesday the Dragons entered the regional semifinals at Oxford. They took on the Yellow Jackets of Auburn Hills Avondale in the first regional semifinal matchup of the day at Oxford. Avondale won their district at Waterford Kettering, in the process in the championship game the Yellow Jackets knocked the Captians out of the tournament in the process winning at their own gym.
Avondale was no match for the Dragons in the first two games, as the Dragons outscored them 50-20 in a span of two games. Game three changed everything however, the Yellow Jackets started to believe again, they held off a furious Dragon rally and upset the Dragons 25-23. However Game four was dominated by the Dragons, the Dragons restored order in the process, attacking them early and often during the game. They finished off the Yellow Jackets 25-15 and advanced to their first regional final in 22 years.
Orion now stands at 41-15-5 overall, and now will play defending state champion Birmingham Marian (65-5-5) on Thursday night at Oxford at 7 PM. Almost every volleyball expert has the Mustangs as the favorite in this matchup but the Mustangs have had some injury concerns heading into the postseason. This is one of Orion's most taltened team's, this will be a good one. Could this be the Dragons's chance to really do something special and pull off what would be the biggest upset in the state of Michigan?, we'll find out.
What a roll, but will the roll run out on Thursday Night at Oxford, hope not. GO GREEN.
Dragons Beat Grand Blanc, win sixth District Crown in 11 years
Written Wedensday, November 10th at 12:30 PM
The Lake Orion Dragons came into Friday's home district championship game with Grand Blanc determinded to put yet another banner to the walls of Lake Orion High School.
This week they did just that. The Dragons went on and hammered the Bobcats 54-14 to win their sixth district championship in 11 years. Orion is now 10-1, and moves on to the Regional Finals, where they will host Utica Eisenhower (also 10-1) on Friday Night at 7 PM.
The Eagles got their revenge on Romeo at Swinehart Field on Friday, after suffering their only loss of the season at the hands of the Bulldogs, the Eagles and Bulldogs had to settle things in overtime. In the overtime session, the Eagles scored first and took a 36-29 lead in the process, as Romeo tried to answer, they were picked off by the Eagles defense, and the players stormed the field in happiness of beating the Bulldogs, it was the Eagles first district championship since 2003.
Eisenhower has had some nice wins coming into the Friday night showdown, they went on the road and knocked off Macomb Dakota 10-9 in the process. Friday should be a good one, as the Eagles brings one of the hottest quarterbacks in the state in sophomore quarterback Joe Zerafa, who threw for three touchdowns last week in their win over Romeo.
However the Dragons have a quarterback of their own in Sean Charette, Charette is 6-2 as a starter in the playoffs, one of those wins was over Eisenhower in 2008, when the Dragons needed a late touchdown from running back Branden Oakes to beat the Eagles 7-0 at Orion.
This game will be very interesting on Friday night at Orion, as two traditional teams go at it with the winner either meeting Macomb Dakota (9-2) or Detroit Cass Tech (11-0) in the State Semifinals for Division One. (Both Macomb Dakota and Detroit Cass Tech will play their Regional Final on Saturday at 1 PM in Detroit.) GO GREEN.
The Lake Orion Dragons came into Friday's home district championship game with Grand Blanc determinded to put yet another banner to the walls of Lake Orion High School.
This week they did just that. The Dragons went on and hammered the Bobcats 54-14 to win their sixth district championship in 11 years. Orion is now 10-1, and moves on to the Regional Finals, where they will host Utica Eisenhower (also 10-1) on Friday Night at 7 PM.
The Eagles got their revenge on Romeo at Swinehart Field on Friday, after suffering their only loss of the season at the hands of the Bulldogs, the Eagles and Bulldogs had to settle things in overtime. In the overtime session, the Eagles scored first and took a 36-29 lead in the process, as Romeo tried to answer, they were picked off by the Eagles defense, and the players stormed the field in happiness of beating the Bulldogs, it was the Eagles first district championship since 2003.
Eisenhower has had some nice wins coming into the Friday night showdown, they went on the road and knocked off Macomb Dakota 10-9 in the process. Friday should be a good one, as the Eagles brings one of the hottest quarterbacks in the state in sophomore quarterback Joe Zerafa, who threw for three touchdowns last week in their win over Romeo.
However the Dragons have a quarterback of their own in Sean Charette, Charette is 6-2 as a starter in the playoffs, one of those wins was over Eisenhower in 2008, when the Dragons needed a late touchdown from running back Branden Oakes to beat the Eagles 7-0 at Orion.
This game will be very interesting on Friday night at Orion, as two traditional teams go at it with the winner either meeting Macomb Dakota (9-2) or Detroit Cass Tech (11-0) in the State Semifinals for Division One. (Both Macomb Dakota and Detroit Cass Tech will play their Regional Final on Saturday at 1 PM in Detroit.) GO GREEN.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Dragons beat Clarkston to win the Red, Davison in Round One. Also preview of Grand Blanc.
Written Saturday October 30th, at 8:00 PM
What a two weeks to be a Dragons fan
One you take down your arch rival and then win a first round playoff game the next week, both games were at Dragon Stadium by the way.
That's what happened to the Dragons Varsity football team as they defeated the Clarkston Wolves 28-7 last Friday night to win the OAA Red for the third time in five years.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association's state playoffs drew their pairings of each match-up from division's one through eight. The Dragons are in division one because the state goes by enrollment when they determine playoff seeds, in a form of 32 teams. The Dragons drew the Davison Cardinals in the first round, also the Dragons were placed in region three, district one, a pairing with Davison, Grand Blanc, and Clarkston in one region, while in the other region were, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, Rochester, and Utica. Davison came in with a 7-2 record after suffering a set back last week to Grand Blanc 10-7. In the other side of the draw in the region Grand Blanc drew Clarkston, at Clarkston.
The Dragons had no problem with the Cardinals, outscoring them 33-7 after three quarters, the Dragons went on to win their first round playoff game 42-7 over the Cardinals and move on to the second round.
The Dragons now move on to the second round, which to all of us is the District Championship game and the round of 16 to you Basketball minds. The Dragons will play the Bobcats of Grand Blanc. Grand Blanc comes into the showdown with the Dragons at 7-3 overall, The Bobcats are not intimated playing the Dragons, especially on the road. The Bobcats have played on the road so many times, traveling down to Livingston County, and into Oakland County, as well as games in Genesee County, which is their home county. Much of that is what conference Grand Blanc plays in. Grand Blanc plays in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, they compete against the likes of Hartland, Howell, Milford, Plymouth-Canton, Brighton, and Lakeland. About two seasons ago in 2009, the Bobcats moved to the Kensington Lakes Activities Association from the Big Nine Conference, to play in a conference and not risk being an independent.
The Bobcats have been a desperate team, starting the year at 2-3, and their star running back and Michigan recruit Justice Hayes was lost for the season to a broken wrist he suffered in their week three overtime loss (42-35) at Milford. Grand Blanc's losses this season, have been to playoff teams. Their first one was to state ranked Canton (62-20, road), Milford (42-35, overtime, road), and Howell (28-14, road)
However the Bobcats do have another running back that the Division One schools are looking at, especially Michigan in junior Detrick Goff. Goff had 15 carries for 102 yards in their 38-14 destruction of the Wolves. The Bobcats led 24-7 after the first half, and never looked back over the Wolves.
Also lets not forget Grand Blanc also has a passing game led by senior quarterback Ryan Morley and they have a strong receiving core. Morley was 16 for 19 for 168 yards of total offense with three touchdown passes. The Bobcats had 363 yards of total offense over a tough Wolves defense. The Bobcats defense had two turnovers from the Wolves however that set the tempo of the game in the first half, one led to a Grand Blanc score, while the other one had a 17 yard touchdown return that gave the Bobcats a 14-0 lead and never looked back.
Expect a good game Friday Night at Orion between two rivals, who don't like each other. Both teams have had a history of knocking the other out of the playoffs in the last 40 years or so that these two proud teams have met. GO GREEN, and a Happy Halloween.
What a two weeks to be a Dragons fan
One you take down your arch rival and then win a first round playoff game the next week, both games were at Dragon Stadium by the way.
That's what happened to the Dragons Varsity football team as they defeated the Clarkston Wolves 28-7 last Friday night to win the OAA Red for the third time in five years.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association's state playoffs drew their pairings of each match-up from division's one through eight. The Dragons are in division one because the state goes by enrollment when they determine playoff seeds, in a form of 32 teams. The Dragons drew the Davison Cardinals in the first round, also the Dragons were placed in region three, district one, a pairing with Davison, Grand Blanc, and Clarkston in one region, while in the other region were, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, Rochester, and Utica. Davison came in with a 7-2 record after suffering a set back last week to Grand Blanc 10-7. In the other side of the draw in the region Grand Blanc drew Clarkston, at Clarkston.
The Dragons had no problem with the Cardinals, outscoring them 33-7 after three quarters, the Dragons went on to win their first round playoff game 42-7 over the Cardinals and move on to the second round.
The Dragons now move on to the second round, which to all of us is the District Championship game and the round of 16 to you Basketball minds. The Dragons will play the Bobcats of Grand Blanc. Grand Blanc comes into the showdown with the Dragons at 7-3 overall, The Bobcats are not intimated playing the Dragons, especially on the road. The Bobcats have played on the road so many times, traveling down to Livingston County, and into Oakland County, as well as games in Genesee County, which is their home county. Much of that is what conference Grand Blanc plays in. Grand Blanc plays in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, they compete against the likes of Hartland, Howell, Milford, Plymouth-Canton, Brighton, and Lakeland. About two seasons ago in 2009, the Bobcats moved to the Kensington Lakes Activities Association from the Big Nine Conference, to play in a conference and not risk being an independent.
The Bobcats have been a desperate team, starting the year at 2-3, and their star running back and Michigan recruit Justice Hayes was lost for the season to a broken wrist he suffered in their week three overtime loss (42-35) at Milford. Grand Blanc's losses this season, have been to playoff teams. Their first one was to state ranked Canton (62-20, road), Milford (42-35, overtime, road), and Howell (28-14, road)
However the Bobcats do have another running back that the Division One schools are looking at, especially Michigan in junior Detrick Goff. Goff had 15 carries for 102 yards in their 38-14 destruction of the Wolves. The Bobcats led 24-7 after the first half, and never looked back over the Wolves.
Also lets not forget Grand Blanc also has a passing game led by senior quarterback Ryan Morley and they have a strong receiving core. Morley was 16 for 19 for 168 yards of total offense with three touchdown passes. The Bobcats had 363 yards of total offense over a tough Wolves defense. The Bobcats defense had two turnovers from the Wolves however that set the tempo of the game in the first half, one led to a Grand Blanc score, while the other one had a 17 yard touchdown return that gave the Bobcats a 14-0 lead and never looked back.
Expect a good game Friday Night at Orion between two rivals, who don't like each other. Both teams have had a history of knocking the other out of the playoffs in the last 40 years or so that these two proud teams have met. GO GREEN, and a Happy Halloween.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Dragons fall this week at Harrison
Written, Tuesday October 19th, at 8:30 PM
Hello fans once again in the Dragons Den, sorry I've haven't been writing for a few weeks now because of my busy schedule at Oakland and what has been going on throughout Lake Orion.
This week the Dragons went to Farmington Hills for a 40 year anniversary of Farmington Hills Harrison High School and it's only known coach John Herrington.
The Hawks wouldn't disappoint the home fans as they came in the number one team in division two while the Dragons were number two in division one. The Hawks steamrolled the Dragons in a surprising 28-6 victory on Saturday afternoon sending the Dragons to their first loss of the season.
This week the Dragons are now 7-1, all ready playoff bound, and if the season ended today the Dragons would be on the road to Romeo and to Clarkston at some point because of playoff points. The Wolves have 96, the Bulldogs have 93, while the Dragons have 91.
Thankfully the Dragons have another game yet to play, it's bragging rights, and it's for the OAA Red title. That showdown is set for Friday Night at 7 PM with Clarkston at Lake Orion. Clarkston enters the game also 7-1, there only loss was to Adams in week one. The Wolves are led by a strong defense, and their offense has came along as the season went on. This should be an interesting contest. JV and Freshman teams respectably are a combined 39-1, if you count that the Dragons play two Freshman teams, this should be war on Thursday at Clarkston Jr High and Clarkston respectably. The other freshman team will play Oxford on Thursday afternoon at Lake Orion to close out their season. GO GREEN.
Hello fans once again in the Dragons Den, sorry I've haven't been writing for a few weeks now because of my busy schedule at Oakland and what has been going on throughout Lake Orion.
This week the Dragons went to Farmington Hills for a 40 year anniversary of Farmington Hills Harrison High School and it's only known coach John Herrington.
The Hawks wouldn't disappoint the home fans as they came in the number one team in division two while the Dragons were number two in division one. The Hawks steamrolled the Dragons in a surprising 28-6 victory on Saturday afternoon sending the Dragons to their first loss of the season.
This week the Dragons are now 7-1, all ready playoff bound, and if the season ended today the Dragons would be on the road to Romeo and to Clarkston at some point because of playoff points. The Wolves have 96, the Bulldogs have 93, while the Dragons have 91.
Thankfully the Dragons have another game yet to play, it's bragging rights, and it's for the OAA Red title. That showdown is set for Friday Night at 7 PM with Clarkston at Lake Orion. Clarkston enters the game also 7-1, there only loss was to Adams in week one. The Wolves are led by a strong defense, and their offense has came along as the season went on. This should be an interesting contest. JV and Freshman teams respectably are a combined 39-1, if you count that the Dragons play two Freshman teams, this should be war on Thursday at Clarkston Jr High and Clarkston respectably. The other freshman team will play Oxford on Thursday afternoon at Lake Orion to close out their season. GO GREEN.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Dragons storm past West Bloomfield, suffer devestating setback in Freshman
Written Monday September 20th, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Well this week the Dragon program suffered an very unusual and unfortunate result, a loss. This week it was the Dragon freshman green team who took the loss, hard and it was to one of it's arch rivals, Rochester Adams on Wednesday Afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
At halftime the Dragons trailed 21-12, they were being out gained and out matched, then in the third quarter the fireworks started to spark.
The Dragons stormed to a 24-21 lead after two touchdowns from quarterback Conner Grant, however on one play Adams quarterback Matt Sokol took it to the end-zone and ten seconds later it was 28-24 Highlanders heading to the fourth quarter. Orion then answered and took a 31-28 lead, but then Adams answered again to take a 34-31 lead early in the fourth.
Neither defense could stop one another, it went to a back and fourth seesaw, just like every Dragon/Highlander match-up, Orion answered thanks to running back Zach Arnold, who's carrier day on the ground kept the Dragons in it until the very end. He was part of the fourth quarter rally that gave the Dragons a 38-34 lead with four minutes left in the game.
But that wasn't the drama yet. On a fourth an 23 from the 20 yard line, the Dragons bailed out the Highlanders, giving them a 30 yard gain, then Adams (3-1) went down the field, and nailed a winning touchdown score with 14 seconds left in the game, to stun the Dragons 41-38 in a highly contested shootout.
This is a really tough loss for the Dragons, they fell to 3-1 in the season, the team gets ready for Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The freshman white team traveled to West Bloomfield, and took on the Lakers, it wasn't much of a contest, in the first quarter the Dragons defense stopped the Lakers at the one yard line, leading to a Dragon score. The Dragons were led by quarterback Kyle Bell, who orchestrated a 41-14 victory over the Lakers, to keep the freshman white team "undefeated" at 4-0.
The freshman white team will merge once again with the green team as they host Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The JV team didn't seem to have any trouble in their contest with the Lakers, as running back Storm Hudson stole the show. Hudson ran for three touchdowns, leading to a Dragons 53-7 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday night at West Bloomfield. The JV are now 4-0 in the season, and 3-0 in the OAA Red.
The next action for the JV is set for Thursday night as Royal Oak comes a calling to the Dragons Lair, kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
This week the Dragons Varsity welcomed the Lakers of West Bloomfield for an unusual showdown played on a school night at the Dragons Lair on Thursday night.
The first quarter was ready to be a shootout, neither defense wasn't playing well, it was 21-14 Orion at one point. At one point the Dragons couldn't stop Lakers quarterback Phil Brown, who torched the Dragons with two passing touchdowns, however the Lakers could not stop Orion quarterback Sean Charette, who has two touchdowns but also had two interceptions in the end-zone.
However in the second quarter Orion responded, blitzkrieg the Lakers for four touchdowns (28 points), they also took quarterback Phil Brown out of the game with a shoulder injury, and after the half it was 49-14 in favor of the Dragons. The Dragons added one more touchdown in the second half and cruised to a 56-14 victory, to remain perfect.
Lake Orion is now 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the OAA Red this season. They also move up in the state rankings for Division One. The Dragons are now number three in Division One following Rockford's 26-23 loss to Grand Haven on Friday night. The Dragons trail Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Plymouth Canton in the rankings.
Next week the Dragons travel to win less Royal Oak (0-4, 0-3 OAA Red) for a showdown with the Ravens, kickoff is set for 7 PM.
Well this week the Dragon program suffered an very unusual and unfortunate result, a loss. This week it was the Dragon freshman green team who took the loss, hard and it was to one of it's arch rivals, Rochester Adams on Wednesday Afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
At halftime the Dragons trailed 21-12, they were being out gained and out matched, then in the third quarter the fireworks started to spark.
The Dragons stormed to a 24-21 lead after two touchdowns from quarterback Conner Grant, however on one play Adams quarterback Matt Sokol took it to the end-zone and ten seconds later it was 28-24 Highlanders heading to the fourth quarter. Orion then answered and took a 31-28 lead, but then Adams answered again to take a 34-31 lead early in the fourth.
Neither defense could stop one another, it went to a back and fourth seesaw, just like every Dragon/Highlander match-up, Orion answered thanks to running back Zach Arnold, who's carrier day on the ground kept the Dragons in it until the very end. He was part of the fourth quarter rally that gave the Dragons a 38-34 lead with four minutes left in the game.
But that wasn't the drama yet. On a fourth an 23 from the 20 yard line, the Dragons bailed out the Highlanders, giving them a 30 yard gain, then Adams (3-1) went down the field, and nailed a winning touchdown score with 14 seconds left in the game, to stun the Dragons 41-38 in a highly contested shootout.
This is a really tough loss for the Dragons, they fell to 3-1 in the season, the team gets ready for Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The freshman white team traveled to West Bloomfield, and took on the Lakers, it wasn't much of a contest, in the first quarter the Dragons defense stopped the Lakers at the one yard line, leading to a Dragon score. The Dragons were led by quarterback Kyle Bell, who orchestrated a 41-14 victory over the Lakers, to keep the freshman white team "undefeated" at 4-0.
The freshman white team will merge once again with the green team as they host Royal Oak on Thursday afternoon at the Dragons Lair.
The JV team didn't seem to have any trouble in their contest with the Lakers, as running back Storm Hudson stole the show. Hudson ran for three touchdowns, leading to a Dragons 53-7 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday night at West Bloomfield. The JV are now 4-0 in the season, and 3-0 in the OAA Red.
The next action for the JV is set for Thursday night as Royal Oak comes a calling to the Dragons Lair, kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
This week the Dragons Varsity welcomed the Lakers of West Bloomfield for an unusual showdown played on a school night at the Dragons Lair on Thursday night.
The first quarter was ready to be a shootout, neither defense wasn't playing well, it was 21-14 Orion at one point. At one point the Dragons couldn't stop Lakers quarterback Phil Brown, who torched the Dragons with two passing touchdowns, however the Lakers could not stop Orion quarterback Sean Charette, who has two touchdowns but also had two interceptions in the end-zone.
However in the second quarter Orion responded, blitzkrieg the Lakers for four touchdowns (28 points), they also took quarterback Phil Brown out of the game with a shoulder injury, and after the half it was 49-14 in favor of the Dragons. The Dragons added one more touchdown in the second half and cruised to a 56-14 victory, to remain perfect.
Lake Orion is now 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the OAA Red this season. They also move up in the state rankings for Division One. The Dragons are now number three in Division One following Rockford's 26-23 loss to Grand Haven on Friday night. The Dragons trail Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Plymouth Canton in the rankings.
Next week the Dragons travel to win less Royal Oak (0-4, 0-3 OAA Red) for a showdown with the Ravens, kickoff is set for 7 PM.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Wisner Stadium, plus recap from Pontiac
Written, Sunday September 12th at 8:48 PM
Ah a glorious day, at Wisner Stadium, all the history, since it opened up in 1941, Wisner had Detroit Lions scrimmages back in the day, when the Lions played in Pontiac, it also had field turf donated to them by the St. Louis Rams during their run to the Super Bowl, but what would take place Friday Night, would be one that fans of Lake Orion would love to see at Wisner Stadium when they competed against an upstart Pontiac Phoenix team, but here is some information about the Phoenix.
Pontiac was a school that was formed in 2009, when budget cuts forced then schools Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central to merge into one high school. They changed the colors from the Northern Red and White, and Central Orange and Black to the Purple and Grey that represented the Phoenix. Pontiac in their first season went 7-2, and shared the OAA Blue title, they went on to host Utica Eisenhower in the playoffs at Wisner Stadium, they lost but a new program was forming and came together.
The Phoenix then went up two divisions from the Blue to the Red, every expert around Metro-Detroit predicted Pontiac would finish in the bottom of the league, but they have continued time and time again to prove their doubters wrong, it started with Southfield-Lathrup on the road, and the Phoenix won that game 27-16, then a shocker when Troy Athens came to Wisner Stadium for what was to be a huge showdown with Troy Athens, Athens was suppose to be an improved team, and this was one of their better teams, however Pontiac didn't care, they routed the Red Hawks out of Wisner Stadium with a 42-3 shellacking. The win meant Pontiac was 2-0, entering their biggest challenge of their young history, a showdown with state-ranked and powerhouse Lake Orion at Wisner Stadium.
The Dragons came in as the favorite in the match up, got the scoring going quickly with a field goal by kicker Kyle Searlie that gave the Dragons a 3-0 lead. Then on the kickoff the Dragons used an onside kick, and recovered, that set up the team's next score. On the next play Orion quarterback Sean Charette connected with slot receiver Dan Ney for a 41 yard pass for touchdown, the point after touchdown kick was blocked but the Dragons had a 9-0 lead. The Dragons did make a defensive stand however, when Pontiac drove the field toward the Dragons two yard line, when they fumbled the ball and the ball went out of bounds in the end zone, marking a touch back to the 20 yard line.
The Phoenix responded in the second quarter as quarterback Johnathan Sneed connected with receiver Patrick Johnson on a 33 yard touchdown pass, making the score 9-7 in favor of the Dragons. However Orion responded, going down the field and on a fourth down and goal to go, Charette found wide receiver Zach Zott for a eight yard touchdown pass to give the Dragons a nine point lead at 16-7 with six minutes left in the half. The scoring wasn't done yet, as Pontiac was driving down the field, Sneed was being pressured on a fourth down and two by the Dragons defense, was intercepted by defensive end Marc Ljuljdjuraj who took the ball 69 yards to the end zone for another Dragon touchdown, the lead increased to 23-7, and that was the score at the half.
The second half was dominated by Dragons running back Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson rushed for three touchdowns, 41, 69, and 74 yards respectably. Stevenson finished with 216 yards on 11 carries. The Varsity went on and won 44-13 over the Phoenix to improve to 3-0 on the season, and 2-0 in the OAA Red. Pontiac falls to 2-1, and 1-1 in the season. The Dragons will return home and play West Bloomfield on Thursday night due to West Bloomfield celebrating the Jewish Holiday "Yom Kippur"
The Dragon Junior Varsity this week took on Pontiac, the team steamrolled to a 48-9 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium, behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Derrick DeLaura, and a potent offense led by running back Storm Hudson, and receivers Chaz Miller, and Joe Deneau, the team is now 3-0, and 2-0 in the Red. Next week the team will travel to West Bloomfield and take on the Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Freshman Dragons also took on Pontiac this week, the Dragons rolled to a 33-6 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium. The Dragons were lead by a combination of players, who pressured Pontiac all day long. Both Freshman teams stand at 3-0, with the green team being 2-0 against the Red, while the white team is 1-0 in the White with their win over Oxford. The Dragons will split their squads up next week at the Green team travels to West Bloomfield for a showdown against the Lakers on Wednesday, while the White team hosts 2-1, 2-0 OAA White, Rochester Adams on Wednesday at Dragon Stadium.
Well we'll see you next week for your complete football coverage throughout the season.
Ah a glorious day, at Wisner Stadium, all the history, since it opened up in 1941, Wisner had Detroit Lions scrimmages back in the day, when the Lions played in Pontiac, it also had field turf donated to them by the St. Louis Rams during their run to the Super Bowl, but what would take place Friday Night, would be one that fans of Lake Orion would love to see at Wisner Stadium when they competed against an upstart Pontiac Phoenix team, but here is some information about the Phoenix.
Pontiac was a school that was formed in 2009, when budget cuts forced then schools Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central to merge into one high school. They changed the colors from the Northern Red and White, and Central Orange and Black to the Purple and Grey that represented the Phoenix. Pontiac in their first season went 7-2, and shared the OAA Blue title, they went on to host Utica Eisenhower in the playoffs at Wisner Stadium, they lost but a new program was forming and came together.
The Phoenix then went up two divisions from the Blue to the Red, every expert around Metro-Detroit predicted Pontiac would finish in the bottom of the league, but they have continued time and time again to prove their doubters wrong, it started with Southfield-Lathrup on the road, and the Phoenix won that game 27-16, then a shocker when Troy Athens came to Wisner Stadium for what was to be a huge showdown with Troy Athens, Athens was suppose to be an improved team, and this was one of their better teams, however Pontiac didn't care, they routed the Red Hawks out of Wisner Stadium with a 42-3 shellacking. The win meant Pontiac was 2-0, entering their biggest challenge of their young history, a showdown with state-ranked and powerhouse Lake Orion at Wisner Stadium.
The Dragons came in as the favorite in the match up, got the scoring going quickly with a field goal by kicker Kyle Searlie that gave the Dragons a 3-0 lead. Then on the kickoff the Dragons used an onside kick, and recovered, that set up the team's next score. On the next play Orion quarterback Sean Charette connected with slot receiver Dan Ney for a 41 yard pass for touchdown, the point after touchdown kick was blocked but the Dragons had a 9-0 lead. The Dragons did make a defensive stand however, when Pontiac drove the field toward the Dragons two yard line, when they fumbled the ball and the ball went out of bounds in the end zone, marking a touch back to the 20 yard line.
The Phoenix responded in the second quarter as quarterback Johnathan Sneed connected with receiver Patrick Johnson on a 33 yard touchdown pass, making the score 9-7 in favor of the Dragons. However Orion responded, going down the field and on a fourth down and goal to go, Charette found wide receiver Zach Zott for a eight yard touchdown pass to give the Dragons a nine point lead at 16-7 with six minutes left in the half. The scoring wasn't done yet, as Pontiac was driving down the field, Sneed was being pressured on a fourth down and two by the Dragons defense, was intercepted by defensive end Marc Ljuljdjuraj who took the ball 69 yards to the end zone for another Dragon touchdown, the lead increased to 23-7, and that was the score at the half.
The second half was dominated by Dragons running back Marcus Stevenson, Stevenson rushed for three touchdowns, 41, 69, and 74 yards respectably. Stevenson finished with 216 yards on 11 carries. The Varsity went on and won 44-13 over the Phoenix to improve to 3-0 on the season, and 2-0 in the OAA Red. Pontiac falls to 2-1, and 1-1 in the season. The Dragons will return home and play West Bloomfield on Thursday night due to West Bloomfield celebrating the Jewish Holiday "Yom Kippur"
The Dragon Junior Varsity this week took on Pontiac, the team steamrolled to a 48-9 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium, behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Derrick DeLaura, and a potent offense led by running back Storm Hudson, and receivers Chaz Miller, and Joe Deneau, the team is now 3-0, and 2-0 in the Red. Next week the team will travel to West Bloomfield and take on the Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Freshman Dragons also took on Pontiac this week, the Dragons rolled to a 33-6 victory over the Phoenix at Dragon Stadium. The Dragons were lead by a combination of players, who pressured Pontiac all day long. Both Freshman teams stand at 3-0, with the green team being 2-0 against the Red, while the white team is 1-0 in the White with their win over Oxford. The Dragons will split their squads up next week at the Green team travels to West Bloomfield for a showdown against the Lakers on Wednesday, while the White team hosts 2-1, 2-0 OAA White, Rochester Adams on Wednesday at Dragon Stadium.
Well we'll see you next week for your complete football coverage throughout the season.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dragons now 2-0, plus shocking upsets spark the Den
Written Tuesday September 7th, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Welcome this week inside the Den for more coverage of Dragon Football, after the week against Oxford and surprising results around the area, the Dragon football program didn't want a let down to occur after the upsets around the State this week. They took on Rochester this week, hoping to avoid a letdown heading into their huge week three showdown with upstart Pontiac. But first with the upsets around the state.
Macomb Dakota's 17-10 loss to Romeo wasn't shocking. Romeo has some athletes, even though they lost to Troy 31-7 to start the season. I guess Dakota was looking head to Chippewa Valley was some kind of an understatement. Everybody thought coming into the season Dakota was going to be the kings of the MAC Red, they can still be. The Cougars beat Muskegon two weeks ago, at home. But now with this loss, it gets tighter in the MAC Red.
This season the MAC Red is down this season, Warren Mott (a playoff team from last year) lost to Troy Athens 32-19, and Troy Athens got beat by Pontiac 42-3 last week. Chippewa Valley lost to Dearborn 42-14 at home, add Romeo's loss in there to Troy. Sterling Heights Stevenson got pounded by Howell 35-0 in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Ypsilanti, and Utica Eisenhower won a tight 23-16 battle against arch rival Utica Ford at Sterling Heights Stevenson. It looks like this, Dakota, Utica Eisenhower, and Romeo are the three top teams in the MAC Red this season. What does this do with the Dragons, you ask? well in playoff points. If the Dragons can run the table in the OAA Red then the Dragons don't have to leave the confines of Lake Orion until the State semifinals in the playoffs and if they go east.
The Varsity team took the field on Friday night, hoping to avoid a letdown against the Falcons of Rochester, at Rochester High School. There wasn't no doubt that they avoided a letdown from the Oxford game. Orion rolled with a multiple attack to a 36-7 victory over Rochester, given the fact at one point in the second quarter the Dragons only led 13-7 but Orion answered by scoring 23 unanswered points, leaving the victory well in doubt. The Varsity is 2-0 in the season and 1-0 in the OAA Red, they have a big showdown with the upstart and rising Pontiac Phoenix. The Phoenix are also 2-0 after wins over Southfield Lathrup (27-16) and a shocking beating of Troy Athens (42-3) on Friday night at legionary Wisner Stadium, kickoff is set for 7 PM. Everybody has said that this will be Pontiac's biggest game of their young program's history since the merger of both Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central.
The JV program took on Rochester at Dragon Stadium on Thursday night. The Dragons rolled 41-9 in the process. The game was an ugly one throughout. The Dragons could not get the mercy rule on the Falcons as the Falcons answered Dragon scores in both the second and fourth quarters. The Dragon JV are now 2-0 and 1-0 in the OAA Red host Pontiac on Thursday night at 6:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
The Freshman program split their team into two teams this week. The White team played Fraser and the Green team took on Rochester, both games were at Dragon Stadium. The White team rolled over Fraser, 48-0, just with one offensive play the Dragons were leading 20-0 after the end of the first quarter. The Dragons rolled on against the Ramblers with a total dominating performance in the shutout over Fraser. The Green team took on Rochester, they survived a scare, in rout to a 33-12 victory over the Falcons. Rochester's two touchdowns came on the kickoff. Both teams are now 2-0, with the Green being 1-0 in the OAA Red on the season, and will merge back together for a showdown on Thursday with Pontiac at 4:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
Welcome this week inside the Den for more coverage of Dragon Football, after the week against Oxford and surprising results around the area, the Dragon football program didn't want a let down to occur after the upsets around the State this week. They took on Rochester this week, hoping to avoid a letdown heading into their huge week three showdown with upstart Pontiac. But first with the upsets around the state.
Macomb Dakota's 17-10 loss to Romeo wasn't shocking. Romeo has some athletes, even though they lost to Troy 31-7 to start the season. I guess Dakota was looking head to Chippewa Valley was some kind of an understatement. Everybody thought coming into the season Dakota was going to be the kings of the MAC Red, they can still be. The Cougars beat Muskegon two weeks ago, at home. But now with this loss, it gets tighter in the MAC Red.
This season the MAC Red is down this season, Warren Mott (a playoff team from last year) lost to Troy Athens 32-19, and Troy Athens got beat by Pontiac 42-3 last week. Chippewa Valley lost to Dearborn 42-14 at home, add Romeo's loss in there to Troy. Sterling Heights Stevenson got pounded by Howell 35-0 in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Ypsilanti, and Utica Eisenhower won a tight 23-16 battle against arch rival Utica Ford at Sterling Heights Stevenson. It looks like this, Dakota, Utica Eisenhower, and Romeo are the three top teams in the MAC Red this season. What does this do with the Dragons, you ask? well in playoff points. If the Dragons can run the table in the OAA Red then the Dragons don't have to leave the confines of Lake Orion until the State semifinals in the playoffs and if they go east.
The Varsity team took the field on Friday night, hoping to avoid a letdown against the Falcons of Rochester, at Rochester High School. There wasn't no doubt that they avoided a letdown from the Oxford game. Orion rolled with a multiple attack to a 36-7 victory over Rochester, given the fact at one point in the second quarter the Dragons only led 13-7 but Orion answered by scoring 23 unanswered points, leaving the victory well in doubt. The Varsity is 2-0 in the season and 1-0 in the OAA Red, they have a big showdown with the upstart and rising Pontiac Phoenix. The Phoenix are also 2-0 after wins over Southfield Lathrup (27-16) and a shocking beating of Troy Athens (42-3) on Friday night at legionary Wisner Stadium, kickoff is set for 7 PM. Everybody has said that this will be Pontiac's biggest game of their young program's history since the merger of both Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central.
The JV program took on Rochester at Dragon Stadium on Thursday night. The Dragons rolled 41-9 in the process. The game was an ugly one throughout. The Dragons could not get the mercy rule on the Falcons as the Falcons answered Dragon scores in both the second and fourth quarters. The Dragon JV are now 2-0 and 1-0 in the OAA Red host Pontiac on Thursday night at 6:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
The Freshman program split their team into two teams this week. The White team played Fraser and the Green team took on Rochester, both games were at Dragon Stadium. The White team rolled over Fraser, 48-0, just with one offensive play the Dragons were leading 20-0 after the end of the first quarter. The Dragons rolled on against the Ramblers with a total dominating performance in the shutout over Fraser. The Green team took on Rochester, they survived a scare, in rout to a 33-12 victory over the Falcons. Rochester's two touchdowns came on the kickoff. Both teams are now 2-0, with the Green being 1-0 in the OAA Red on the season, and will merge back together for a showdown on Thursday with Pontiac at 4:30 PM at Dragon Stadium.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Dragon Domination
Written Saturday August 28th, at 12:03 AM
Thursday Afternoon was the start of something special, the rivalry had came back for the first time in 27 years.
Friday Night was perfect, if you were a Dragon. Welcome to the OAA, Oxford.
In the first meeting of two crosstown rivals, only separated by seven miles, north of M-24, the Oxford Wildcats entered Lake Orion, and faced the Dragons for the first time since the 34-6 beat down that the Wildcats handed the Dragons in 1983. But Friday night things were different, much different.
Thursday afternoon saw the perfect storm roll through for Oxford, in form of the Dragons. Orion played sound offense, and made life difficult for the Wildcat offense and defense. The Dragons rolled 43-0, they are now 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Thursday night saw the Dragons struggle throughout the game with mistakes and penalties. It was only 14-7 at the half due to the errors of the team. The Dragons pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 14-0, in rout to a 28-7 victory over Oxford, and is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Like I said, Friday night was perfect, the weather was perfect, and both schools had overflowing crowds. The atmosphere of the rivalry lived up to the hype. There was a submarine sandwich competition between Oxford's football team, and Lake Orion's hockey team. The contest was won by Oxford, however the football games were won by Lake Orion.
The Dragons won the game, in a blow-out fashion, like what happened to them in 1983 by the Wildcats 34-6. Orion won 45-6 this time around, meaning they took home the Double-O trophy (a trophy made from a boot)
2011 will be at Oxford, and that game too should get the hype it deserves.
The Dragons (1-0, 0-0: OAA Red) next action is next Friday night, when they travel to Rochester and take on the Rochester Falcons. Rochester comes in 1-0, 0-0 in the OAA Red after beating Lance Cruse North 28-0 in Macomb County on Friday night. The Freshman split their teams, the Green team will play Rochester at Lake Orion, while the White team plays at Frasier on Thursday, while the JV team plays Rochester on Thursday night at Lake Orion.
Thursday Afternoon was the start of something special, the rivalry had came back for the first time in 27 years.
Friday Night was perfect, if you were a Dragon. Welcome to the OAA, Oxford.
In the first meeting of two crosstown rivals, only separated by seven miles, north of M-24, the Oxford Wildcats entered Lake Orion, and faced the Dragons for the first time since the 34-6 beat down that the Wildcats handed the Dragons in 1983. But Friday night things were different, much different.
Thursday afternoon saw the perfect storm roll through for Oxford, in form of the Dragons. Orion played sound offense, and made life difficult for the Wildcat offense and defense. The Dragons rolled 43-0, they are now 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Thursday night saw the Dragons struggle throughout the game with mistakes and penalties. It was only 14-7 at the half due to the errors of the team. The Dragons pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 14-0, in rout to a 28-7 victory over Oxford, and is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the OAA Red.
Like I said, Friday night was perfect, the weather was perfect, and both schools had overflowing crowds. The atmosphere of the rivalry lived up to the hype. There was a submarine sandwich competition between Oxford's football team, and Lake Orion's hockey team. The contest was won by Oxford, however the football games were won by Lake Orion.
The Dragons won the game, in a blow-out fashion, like what happened to them in 1983 by the Wildcats 34-6. Orion won 45-6 this time around, meaning they took home the Double-O trophy (a trophy made from a boot)
2011 will be at Oxford, and that game too should get the hype it deserves.
The Dragons (1-0, 0-0: OAA Red) next action is next Friday night, when they travel to Rochester and take on the Rochester Falcons. Rochester comes in 1-0, 0-0 in the OAA Red after beating Lance Cruse North 28-0 in Macomb County on Friday night. The Freshman split their teams, the Green team will play Rochester at Lake Orion, while the White team plays at Frasier on Thursday, while the JV team plays Rochester on Thursday night at Lake Orion.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
OAA Football Preview
Written Tuesday August 10th, at 6:50 PM
Hello everybody, welcome back to another campaign of Lake Orion football for the 2010 season. Anyway here is my season preview with predictions of the upcoming 2010 season, with top five games for the entire Oakland Activities Association along with who has the easiest and toughest schedules around the OAA. So I wish everybody the best of luck and enjoy coverage of the Dragons throughout the upcoming season.
The 2010 Oakland Activities Association Preview:
OAA Red:
2009 Champion: Clarkston: 12-1 (7-0 OAA Red): Lost to Sterling Heights Stevenson 37-35, MHSAA State Semifinals
Notable Playoff Teams:
Lake Orion: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Red): Lost to Clarkston 17-7, District First Round
Troy: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Red): Lost to Warren Mott 35-21, District First Round
Pontiac: 7-3 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Lake Orion: The Dragons should be 5-0 heading into their homecoming game with Troy. They do have some early tests in the middle of that five game stretch when they travel to Wisner for a test against Pontiac, then West Bloomfield comes to Orion for a week four showdown. The first three of their five games are against teams that finished 2009 with losing records (Oxford @ home, @ Rochester, @ Royal Oak). The schedule after Troy doesn’t get any easier for the Dragons, with games at Troy Athens, (likely at Adams), and a home date with Clarkston.
Nightmare Schedule: Clarkston: The Wolves lost a lot from their 2009 State Semifinalist team when they lost a heartbreaker admit some controversy against Sterling Heights Stevenson. They have to replace a lot from that team that was one win away from the State Championship game. The schedule is going to be tough early, three of their first five will be at home, and that’s the good news. Adams, West Bloomfield, and Troy come to the Wolves Den but they also have to travel to Troy Athens and Pontiac during that stretch, it won’t be easy. Clarkston should get a break for two weeks with Royal Oak and Rochester, but week eight could be interesting, depending on the draw, if they get either Southfield or Harrison. Week nine, is always week nine when the Wolves and Dragons get together for their annual rivalry game.
Red Projections:
Lake Orion
Clarkston
West Bloomfield
Troy
Troy Athens
Pontiac
Rochester
Royal Oak
Top 5 Games:
1. Clarkston @ Lake Orion- Game determines a lot every year, this season wouldn’t be any different
2. West Bloomfield @ Troy- Playoff spot could be on the line in this one
3. Clarkston @ Troy Athens- Hawks win could tell a lot about this team
4. Lake Orion @ Pontiac- This game will tell a lot about the Phoenix
5. West Bloomfield @ Clarkston- The last time the Lakers were at Clarkston it was a shootout, and it was in double overtime, could it be possible again???
OAA White:
2009 Champion: Rochester Adams: 8-3 (7-0 OAA White): Lost to Birmingham Brother Rice 24-7, District Finals.
Notable Playoff Teams:
Southfield: 8-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost to Warren De La Salle 24-6, MHSAA State Semifinals
Harrison: 7-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost 20-14 to Southfield, District Finals
Farmington: 6-4 (4-3 OAA White): Lost to Harrison 28-0, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Stoney Creek: The Cougars have it easy for the first two games of the season, both road games at Port Huron Northern, and at Oak Park. Their home opener against Harrison will be interesting, it will tell a lot about their season, plus last season Harrison beat Stoney Creek 24-21, that cost them a shot at the playoffs. The Cougars home schedule is very manageable after the Harrison game, can’t say much about their road slate with Lathrup, Southfield, and Adams on the schedule.
Nightmare Schedule: Oxford: Welcome to the OAA, Oxford. The Wildcats this season are coming out of the Flint Metro League to the OAA. They will be very competitive in their new league, but the scheduling makers did not give the Wildcats any leeway to start off. Oxford has to start off at Lake Orion, a neighborhood rivalry that will finally be played for the first time since 1984. After the Orion game, the Wildcats play the White schedule and they host a very talented Lathrup team. Farmington on the road should also be interesting, and then games against Stoney Creek (road), Harrison (home), Adams (home), and Southfield (road) could determine Oxford’s season. Then the Wildcats have two home games to close out their 2010 season, the red opponent and then Oak Park to close it out, what a way to enter the league.
White Projections:
Adams
Southfield
Harrison
Southfield-Lathrup
Stoney Creek
Oxford
Farmington
Oak Park
Top 5 Games:
1. Southfield @ Adams- League title will be determined by this game
2. Southfield @ Harrison- Last year Harrison won the regular season game but Southfield took the playoff game
3. Adams @ Lathrup- This is Lathrup’s statement game if they win this one it could go a long way
4. Harrison @ Stoney Creek-Motivation for the Cougars will be very high in this one
5. Southfield @ Lathrup- This rivalry is always close between the two Southfield schools
OAA Blue:
2009 Co-Champions: Hazel Park: 8-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost 50-48 to Detroit Crockett, District Finals. Pontiac: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Notable Playoff Teams:
Berkley: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Southfield 26-10, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Ferndale: The Eagles this season has probably the easiest path to the OAA Blue title then their three toughest rivals, Hazel Park, Avondale, and Berkley. Avondale, Hazel Park, and Berkley all travel to Ferndale. Their toughest road game appears to be at Seaholm otherwise it should be smooth sailing for the Eagles, if they win their home games.
Nightmare Schedule: North Farmington: Raider nation be very afraid, theirs no room for error this 2010 season. The Raiders have most of the bottom feeders at home, which is good, but Ferndale is on that slate as well. The road schedule is treacherous with Seaholm to open up the season. It doesn’t get any better for the Raiders, with more road games at Berkley, Avondale, and Hazel Park. North Farmington’s best chance at a win could come when they go to Waterford and play Kettering in week nine. The road could be very treacherous along the way for the Raiders.
OAA Blue Projections:
Ferndale
Avondale
Berkley
Hazel Park
Seaholm
Lahser
Groves
Andover
North Farmington
Top 5 Games:
1. Avondale @ Ferndale- League title implications on this game
2. Berkley @ Ferndale- This is a statement game for the Bears if they win this one, league title could be in their grasp
3. Hazel Park @ Ferndale- Hazel Park made the playoffs last season, hopes could very well rest on this game
4. Berkley @ Avondale- Always interesting to say the least
5. Berkley @ Hazel Park- Could determine if both or none of these teams have a shot at the OAA Blue title.
Hello everybody, welcome back to another campaign of Lake Orion football for the 2010 season. Anyway here is my season preview with predictions of the upcoming 2010 season, with top five games for the entire Oakland Activities Association along with who has the easiest and toughest schedules around the OAA. So I wish everybody the best of luck and enjoy coverage of the Dragons throughout the upcoming season.
The 2010 Oakland Activities Association Preview:
OAA Red:
2009 Champion: Clarkston: 12-1 (7-0 OAA Red): Lost to Sterling Heights Stevenson 37-35, MHSAA State Semifinals
Notable Playoff Teams:
Lake Orion: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Red): Lost to Clarkston 17-7, District First Round
Troy: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Red): Lost to Warren Mott 35-21, District First Round
Pontiac: 7-3 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Lake Orion: The Dragons should be 5-0 heading into their homecoming game with Troy. They do have some early tests in the middle of that five game stretch when they travel to Wisner for a test against Pontiac, then West Bloomfield comes to Orion for a week four showdown. The first three of their five games are against teams that finished 2009 with losing records (Oxford @ home, @ Rochester, @ Royal Oak). The schedule after Troy doesn’t get any easier for the Dragons, with games at Troy Athens, (likely at Adams), and a home date with Clarkston.
Nightmare Schedule: Clarkston: The Wolves lost a lot from their 2009 State Semifinalist team when they lost a heartbreaker admit some controversy against Sterling Heights Stevenson. They have to replace a lot from that team that was one win away from the State Championship game. The schedule is going to be tough early, three of their first five will be at home, and that’s the good news. Adams, West Bloomfield, and Troy come to the Wolves Den but they also have to travel to Troy Athens and Pontiac during that stretch, it won’t be easy. Clarkston should get a break for two weeks with Royal Oak and Rochester, but week eight could be interesting, depending on the draw, if they get either Southfield or Harrison. Week nine, is always week nine when the Wolves and Dragons get together for their annual rivalry game.
Red Projections:
Lake Orion
Clarkston
West Bloomfield
Troy
Troy Athens
Pontiac
Rochester
Royal Oak
Top 5 Games:
1. Clarkston @ Lake Orion- Game determines a lot every year, this season wouldn’t be any different
2. West Bloomfield @ Troy- Playoff spot could be on the line in this one
3. Clarkston @ Troy Athens- Hawks win could tell a lot about this team
4. Lake Orion @ Pontiac- This game will tell a lot about the Phoenix
5. West Bloomfield @ Clarkston- The last time the Lakers were at Clarkston it was a shootout, and it was in double overtime, could it be possible again???
OAA White:
2009 Champion: Rochester Adams: 8-3 (7-0 OAA White): Lost to Birmingham Brother Rice 24-7, District Finals.
Notable Playoff Teams:
Southfield: 8-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost to Warren De La Salle 24-6, MHSAA State Semifinals
Harrison: 7-4 (5-2 OAA White): Lost 20-14 to Southfield, District Finals
Farmington: 6-4 (4-3 OAA White): Lost to Harrison 28-0, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Stoney Creek: The Cougars have it easy for the first two games of the season, both road games at Port Huron Northern, and at Oak Park. Their home opener against Harrison will be interesting, it will tell a lot about their season, plus last season Harrison beat Stoney Creek 24-21, that cost them a shot at the playoffs. The Cougars home schedule is very manageable after the Harrison game, can’t say much about their road slate with Lathrup, Southfield, and Adams on the schedule.
Nightmare Schedule: Oxford: Welcome to the OAA, Oxford. The Wildcats this season are coming out of the Flint Metro League to the OAA. They will be very competitive in their new league, but the scheduling makers did not give the Wildcats any leeway to start off. Oxford has to start off at Lake Orion, a neighborhood rivalry that will finally be played for the first time since 1984. After the Orion game, the Wildcats play the White schedule and they host a very talented Lathrup team. Farmington on the road should also be interesting, and then games against Stoney Creek (road), Harrison (home), Adams (home), and Southfield (road) could determine Oxford’s season. Then the Wildcats have two home games to close out their 2010 season, the red opponent and then Oak Park to close it out, what a way to enter the league.
White Projections:
Adams
Southfield
Harrison
Southfield-Lathrup
Stoney Creek
Oxford
Farmington
Oak Park
Top 5 Games:
1. Southfield @ Adams- League title will be determined by this game
2. Southfield @ Harrison- Last year Harrison won the regular season game but Southfield took the playoff game
3. Adams @ Lathrup- This is Lathrup’s statement game if they win this one it could go a long way
4. Harrison @ Stoney Creek-Motivation for the Cougars will be very high in this one
5. Southfield @ Lathrup- This rivalry is always close between the two Southfield schools
OAA Blue:
2009 Co-Champions: Hazel Park: 8-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost 50-48 to Detroit Crockett, District Finals. Pontiac: 7-3 (6-1 OAA Blue): Lost to Utica Eisenhower 35-6, District First Round
Notable Playoff Teams:
Berkley: 6-4 (4-3 OAA Blue): Lost to Southfield 26-10, District First Round
Dream Schedule: Ferndale: The Eagles this season has probably the easiest path to the OAA Blue title then their three toughest rivals, Hazel Park, Avondale, and Berkley. Avondale, Hazel Park, and Berkley all travel to Ferndale. Their toughest road game appears to be at Seaholm otherwise it should be smooth sailing for the Eagles, if they win their home games.
Nightmare Schedule: North Farmington: Raider nation be very afraid, theirs no room for error this 2010 season. The Raiders have most of the bottom feeders at home, which is good, but Ferndale is on that slate as well. The road schedule is treacherous with Seaholm to open up the season. It doesn’t get any better for the Raiders, with more road games at Berkley, Avondale, and Hazel Park. North Farmington’s best chance at a win could come when they go to Waterford and play Kettering in week nine. The road could be very treacherous along the way for the Raiders.
OAA Blue Projections:
Ferndale
Avondale
Berkley
Hazel Park
Seaholm
Lahser
Groves
Andover
North Farmington
Top 5 Games:
1. Avondale @ Ferndale- League title implications on this game
2. Berkley @ Ferndale- This is a statement game for the Bears if they win this one, league title could be in their grasp
3. Hazel Park @ Ferndale- Hazel Park made the playoffs last season, hopes could very well rest on this game
4. Berkley @ Avondale- Always interesting to say the least
5. Berkley @ Hazel Park- Could determine if both or none of these teams have a shot at the OAA Blue title.
Friday, May 7, 2010
My take on the Orion/Oxford Game
Written Friday May 7th, at 11:20 PM
Ah one fall day will change everything we seek when it comes to the words three miles apart, only these three miles separate Lake Orion and Oxford, but the rivalry is starting back up again, and memories for me, spill to the bottom of my heart about how this rivalry is one of the most nastiest in the state of Michigan, when it comes to history, and also school pride is on the line as well.
Well I recall the good old days of going to the Orion/Oxford football camps, wearing my dark green football helmet without pads, seeing those blue helmets with the gold trim and it lit a fire in me seeing them. I always wanted to beat them so bad, in my first ever scrimmage against Oxford I recovered a fumble, and made a key stop on a fourth down, preventing a touchdown. My teammates stormed on me, when I made that recovery, and it gave me a sense of pride that day at the old Oxford High School (Now Oxford Middle School.) However as time flew, I always wondered when will there ever be a time when Orion and Oxford would play in a regular season football game?
Well Orion and Oxford is about to go at it again, only this time Oxford enters the Oakland Activities Association from the Flint Metro League, and for the first time since 1984 these two football programs will meet in a regular season tilt. That tilt is opening Friday night when the Wildcats will travel to Lake Orion and face the Dragons.
There has been a lot of bad blood between the two programs, even at the camps don't get me wrong. There were fights all over the place, everybody wanted a piece of each other, especially when we lined up to battle, being a defensive lineman during my three years of playing football. You knew that once you saw the yellow and the blue, that you wanted to hurt them, and they wanted to hurt you back, because you were a Dragon, and you wore the dark green helmet.
Only time will tell how this old rivalry will renew in a twist, nobody knows if there will be riots or pure hate, but for the first time these two rivals will get it on in 26 years. Who will win? we'll know August 27th that's for sure.
Ah one fall day will change everything we seek when it comes to the words three miles apart, only these three miles separate Lake Orion and Oxford, but the rivalry is starting back up again, and memories for me, spill to the bottom of my heart about how this rivalry is one of the most nastiest in the state of Michigan, when it comes to history, and also school pride is on the line as well.
Well I recall the good old days of going to the Orion/Oxford football camps, wearing my dark green football helmet without pads, seeing those blue helmets with the gold trim and it lit a fire in me seeing them. I always wanted to beat them so bad, in my first ever scrimmage against Oxford I recovered a fumble, and made a key stop on a fourth down, preventing a touchdown. My teammates stormed on me, when I made that recovery, and it gave me a sense of pride that day at the old Oxford High School (Now Oxford Middle School.) However as time flew, I always wondered when will there ever be a time when Orion and Oxford would play in a regular season football game?
Well Orion and Oxford is about to go at it again, only this time Oxford enters the Oakland Activities Association from the Flint Metro League, and for the first time since 1984 these two football programs will meet in a regular season tilt. That tilt is opening Friday night when the Wildcats will travel to Lake Orion and face the Dragons.
There has been a lot of bad blood between the two programs, even at the camps don't get me wrong. There were fights all over the place, everybody wanted a piece of each other, especially when we lined up to battle, being a defensive lineman during my three years of playing football. You knew that once you saw the yellow and the blue, that you wanted to hurt them, and they wanted to hurt you back, because you were a Dragon, and you wore the dark green helmet.
Only time will tell how this old rivalry will renew in a twist, nobody knows if there will be riots or pure hate, but for the first time these two rivals will get it on in 26 years. Who will win? we'll know August 27th that's for sure.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Shot-Put Teams Preview for Middle School Track
Written Friday April 2nd at 6:42 PM
This blog is about one of the best shot-put rivalries throughout the city of Lake Orion, in the Middle School level. Three coaches that will work hard and try to bring their respective Middle School’s the Lake Orion City Championship in the shot-put for their respective track teams. This rivalry may have the feelings of something for years to come.
Enter the three shot-put coaches who were on the 2001-2002 Scripps Middle School team (under coaches Gail Miller, who coaches Scripps, and Carl Zookowski, who coaches at Oakview), and the 2003 Shot-Put team for Lake Orion High School as freshman under the teachings of Ryan Irish, Mike Hatch, and Stan Ford. They have brought greatness and success to their respective schools, in forms of winning, and proving who the best Middle School throughout Lake Orion is. One owns a Summit League Championship in Basketball at his respective University and currently holds the girl’s city championship crown represents the green and gray. Another one is a body builder who represents the green and light green. While the other one is the holder of the boy’s city meet championship, and the current boy’s shot-put Oakland County champion, that represents the green and black.
The first shot-put coach is Anthony Taormina, who coaches at Waldon Middle School. In his year in a half at Waldon, Ant has turned an already experienced but not disciplined shot-put team into a much sound disciplined and fundamental team with his knowledge and experience under the Irish and Rutledge era. Before Ant got to Waldon in May, the Waldon boy’s shot-put team last season only had three throwers, but increased in numbers once he got there. He made a very good team into a better team, and under Coach Pam Craft the sky is high for him. Waldon’s girls were also experienced and got better as well, including winning the City championship last season under Ant’s watch. The challenge this year for the newly crowned Summit League manager of the year is to rebuild the girl’s shot-put team from scratch after losing a lot of his girls to the High School, it will take some time to do so. On the boys side Ant is loaded once again and deep, led by Kevin Flynn, but Ant’s challenge in the boys will be finding a supporting cast for Flynn. Maybe some championship hardware in the near future for Waldon is in the boy’s side of the shot-put this season.
The next coach is Ben Knight, who coaches at Oakview Middle School. In his third year at Oakview, Ben is trying to rebound after a heartbreaking City Championship loss to Ant and his Waldon team in the girl’s side of the shot-put last season. Ben will likely to promote open competition and use his body building experience to help his girls get back to championship glory as they did in 2008, but it will be tough, he lost a lot of experience as well in that side of the shot-put, especially Maddie Osentowski to the High School. On the boys side Ben will be led by Josh Duncan, but his challenge will be finding a supporting cast to make sure he gets those points in that side of the meet. Ben also lost a lot of Boys from last season to the High School, this year could be very interesting at Oakview, as Ben and his close friend, in Oakview Sprint Coach, Ian Witherspoon try to pick up the peaces and reload Oakview shot-put teams back to shot-put dominance.
The last coach is Sammy Taormina, who coaches at Scripps Middle School. In his third year at Scripps, Sammy has made Scripps into an Oakland County power in shot-put, with the championships in both the City and the Oakland County Championship teams last year under Alex Lewis and John Yeglinski. Now with both of them gone to the High School, Sammy has to pick up the peaces and rebuild the boy’s shot-put team, if they have a chance at competing for another City or another Oakland County Championship. Sammy does not have that true superstar, unlike last year when he had Yeglinski and Lewis, but he also has the knowledge of his head coach Gail Miller, and the Irish and Rutledge era to back him up. In the girls side Sammy had a young team last season, most of his girls were seventh graders, and only had one eighth grader in Marissa Gonzalez. Now with Gonzalez gone to High School, Sammy has to count on the girls who went through the experience and some recruits to bring his girls shot-put team back. This season Scripps is very deep in numbers in both boys and girls in shot-put but depth alone can not win meets in shot-put, as they have to produce, and they have too if Sammy wants to have his shot-put teams compete for the city and maybe the Oakland County Championship.
All three shot-put teams do have some holes in their respective teams, as they prepare for the Regular Season on April 23rd, but we’ll find out a lot about them before the City meet occurs at Oakview on May 20th. So stay tuned
This blog is about one of the best shot-put rivalries throughout the city of Lake Orion, in the Middle School level. Three coaches that will work hard and try to bring their respective Middle School’s the Lake Orion City Championship in the shot-put for their respective track teams. This rivalry may have the feelings of something for years to come.
Enter the three shot-put coaches who were on the 2001-2002 Scripps Middle School team (under coaches Gail Miller, who coaches Scripps, and Carl Zookowski, who coaches at Oakview), and the 2003 Shot-Put team for Lake Orion High School as freshman under the teachings of Ryan Irish, Mike Hatch, and Stan Ford. They have brought greatness and success to their respective schools, in forms of winning, and proving who the best Middle School throughout Lake Orion is. One owns a Summit League Championship in Basketball at his respective University and currently holds the girl’s city championship crown represents the green and gray. Another one is a body builder who represents the green and light green. While the other one is the holder of the boy’s city meet championship, and the current boy’s shot-put Oakland County champion, that represents the green and black.
The first shot-put coach is Anthony Taormina, who coaches at Waldon Middle School. In his year in a half at Waldon, Ant has turned an already experienced but not disciplined shot-put team into a much sound disciplined and fundamental team with his knowledge and experience under the Irish and Rutledge era. Before Ant got to Waldon in May, the Waldon boy’s shot-put team last season only had three throwers, but increased in numbers once he got there. He made a very good team into a better team, and under Coach Pam Craft the sky is high for him. Waldon’s girls were also experienced and got better as well, including winning the City championship last season under Ant’s watch. The challenge this year for the newly crowned Summit League manager of the year is to rebuild the girl’s shot-put team from scratch after losing a lot of his girls to the High School, it will take some time to do so. On the boys side Ant is loaded once again and deep, led by Kevin Flynn, but Ant’s challenge in the boys will be finding a supporting cast for Flynn. Maybe some championship hardware in the near future for Waldon is in the boy’s side of the shot-put this season.
The next coach is Ben Knight, who coaches at Oakview Middle School. In his third year at Oakview, Ben is trying to rebound after a heartbreaking City Championship loss to Ant and his Waldon team in the girl’s side of the shot-put last season. Ben will likely to promote open competition and use his body building experience to help his girls get back to championship glory as they did in 2008, but it will be tough, he lost a lot of experience as well in that side of the shot-put, especially Maddie Osentowski to the High School. On the boys side Ben will be led by Josh Duncan, but his challenge will be finding a supporting cast to make sure he gets those points in that side of the meet. Ben also lost a lot of Boys from last season to the High School, this year could be very interesting at Oakview, as Ben and his close friend, in Oakview Sprint Coach, Ian Witherspoon try to pick up the peaces and reload Oakview shot-put teams back to shot-put dominance.
The last coach is Sammy Taormina, who coaches at Scripps Middle School. In his third year at Scripps, Sammy has made Scripps into an Oakland County power in shot-put, with the championships in both the City and the Oakland County Championship teams last year under Alex Lewis and John Yeglinski. Now with both of them gone to the High School, Sammy has to pick up the peaces and rebuild the boy’s shot-put team, if they have a chance at competing for another City or another Oakland County Championship. Sammy does not have that true superstar, unlike last year when he had Yeglinski and Lewis, but he also has the knowledge of his head coach Gail Miller, and the Irish and Rutledge era to back him up. In the girls side Sammy had a young team last season, most of his girls were seventh graders, and only had one eighth grader in Marissa Gonzalez. Now with Gonzalez gone to High School, Sammy has to count on the girls who went through the experience and some recruits to bring his girls shot-put team back. This season Scripps is very deep in numbers in both boys and girls in shot-put but depth alone can not win meets in shot-put, as they have to produce, and they have too if Sammy wants to have his shot-put teams compete for the city and maybe the Oakland County Championship.
All three shot-put teams do have some holes in their respective teams, as they prepare for the Regular Season on April 23rd, but we’ll find out a lot about them before the City meet occurs at Oakview on May 20th. So stay tuned
Monday, March 15, 2010
Both Boys and Girls seasons end in a sore note
Written Monday March 15th at 11:47 PM
The Den would like to Congratulate the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Men's basketball team on winning the Summit League championship and compete in the upcoming NCAA Tournament this weekend.
Well both Orion's boys and girls basketball seasons are over, the girls basketball team suffered a painful loss at Troy Athens High School to second ranked Birmingham Marian, while the boys basketball team suffered a tough loss to arch rival Clarkston in the District Finals at Clarkston High School.
The girls basketball team came into the highly anticipated regional semifinal match up with second ranked Birmingham Marian with some confidence after winning the district championship on it's home court over the Stoney Creek Cougars 54-48. However the first quarter had the same painful memories as what happened to the Dragons in the State semifinal game against fifth ranked Benton Harbor last season, Benton Harbor pressured the Dragons like crazy and outscored the Dragons in the first half in Ypsilanti, in rout to a 65-45 win for the Tigers over the Dragons. Also not forget that Benton Harbor's two best players Debra Meeks and Illinois player Destiny Williams combined for 57 of the Tigers 65 points, the Mustangs were more balanced though.
It was very similar for the Dragons against the Mustangs on their defensive pressure, it was the same as Benton Harbor. Birmingham Marian's man defense pressured the Dragons like crazy forcing turnovers, and creating unforced errors, the Dragons turned the ball over 12 times in the first quarter, similar to Benton Harbor with the turnovers. The Dragons were outscored 23-8 to start the game, and Birmingham Marian did not let up. The Dragons trailed 35-16 at the half, and just could not recover in the second half against a tough Birmingham Marian defense. Birmingham Marian went onto defeat the Dragons 56-38, and moved on to the regional final against fourth ranked Detroit Renaissance, they were 22-1 overall until they played and fell to Detroit Renaissance in the regional final 41-33 to close their season 22-2 overall. The Dragons were led by Alexis Haan's 12 points and Jackie Hood's 11 points. The Dragons finished the season 15-9 overall and 6-8 in the OAA Red, congrats ladies on a good season.
The boys basketball team entered districts with some momentum after the 66-49 victory over Troy to close out the regular season. The first round of districts put the Dragons against the Stoney Creek Cougars. The Cougars came into the contest 15-5 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White division were suffering from a disastrous loss to Rochester at home to close out it's regular season. Stoney Creek also beat the Dragons twice in the regular season (68-49 at Stoney Creek, and 61-55 at Lake Orion, despite the fact the Cougars led 40-18 at the half in that game.) The first round game, wasn't much of a game, as it was much of a shocker only in a positive way if your a Dragon fan.
The Dragons sent shock waves not only to their fans, but also Cougars, Wolves, and Highlanders fans as they shockingly took down the Cougars 64-34. The Dragons took advantage of Stoney Creek's cold shooting and went hot from the field. Orion went up 16-6 and then 35-15 at the half. Even though the Dragons wore their home white's, they were considered the VISITOR team at Clarkston and that's how the Dragons like it. The second half did not provide any mercy for the Cougars either, as they were outscored 13-4 at the end of the third quarter, and trailed 48-19 after three quarters. The fourth quarter proved to be interesting but the Dragons still outscored the Cougars 16-15, and won by a shocking 30 points. The Dragons were led by Alex Mayo's 23 points, and Derek Schrauben's 17 points, Ian Monk added nine points for Orion. Stoney Creek finished the year 15-6 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White. The Dragons moved on to take on Rochester who eliminated the Oxford Wildcats 55-41 at Rochester High School for their showdown in the district semifinals.
The district semifinal took place at Clarkston High School between Orion and Rochester. The Dragons took the season series with the Falcons (68-61 in double overtime at Lake Orion, and 52-47 at Rochester.) The Falcons enter the game at 6-15 overall, and 2-12 in the OAA White division, they had nothing to lose because they were an underdog coming to the game against the Dragons. The basketball game was ugly throughout, Orion was considered the HOME team on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard in this one and was wearing the home white yet again. The Dragons only led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, which sent shock waves because the Dragons scored 64 against Stoney Creek and the Cougars are a better team than the Falcons based on the regular season and 22-18 at the half, which also shocked even more people because Rochester came into the game only winning six games in 21 tries.
Mostly the reason why the score was that low was thanks to Rochester's pressure defense, which for some reason has given the Dragons trouble in their previous two meetings. The second half went back and fourth, as each team traded baskets. The Falcons took the lead on three occasions in the second half (28-27, 33-32, and 35-33) before the Dragons pulled away late in the fourth quarter for the victory in the district semifinals, a hard fought 47-41 win over the Falcons. The free throw line was a nightmare for the Dragons, even their shooting percentage was also a disaster but the Dragons found a way to win ugly. Rochester finished it's season 6-16 overall and 2-11 in the OAA White. Derek Schrauben led the Dragons with 22 points, Alex Mayo only scored eight points, as they moved into the district finals with arch rival Clarkston in the Wolves home gym, who beat Romeo 50-41 in the district semifinals, and Rochester Adams 66-55 in the first round of districts.
The district finals was a perfect atmosphere between not only the Dragons and the Wolves, but also the LO-Zone and the Clarkston Jungle. The rivalry was renewed. Clarkston entered the game 17-5 overall, and 10-4 in the OAA Red division. Both the Dragons and the Wolves wanted this game real bad. The Dragons motivation was they wanted to prove the doubters wrong that beating Clarkston would prove that the Dragons are back, it would also heal the football losses to Clarkston on the Wolves football field on two occasions and also the regional final would be at Lake Orion if the Dragons won. Clarkston's motivation was to give legendary head coach Dan Fife his 17th consecutive district title, and also head back to the State semifinals where the Wolves fell to Kalamazoo Central, who lost to Detroit Pershing in the State championship game last season.
The Dragons on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard wore Green and was the VISITOR, something they were used to at Clarkston. The first quarter proved to be a battle of wills between the Dragons and the Wolves. The Dragons controlled the tempo of the game early, and took an 8-7 lead, shocking the Jungle and Wolves fans who believed that the game could be a blow-out like last season's game was. The second quarter was also evenly matched as well, only the Wolves took the second quarter (13-11) and a one point lead 20-19 at the half. But the Dragons were in it with Clarkston, a change from last year's disaster were the Dragons only scored 25 points the entire game in a 57-25 Wolves beat down at Waterford Mott in the district final. The third quarter was also an evenly matched quarter on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard, only the Dragons could not take the lead at the end of the third quarter, despite the Dragons had numerous leads throughout the first, second, and third quarters. It was 31-30 Wolves score after three quarters.
Sadly what was yet to come proved to be a disastrous one for the Dragons, the fourth quarter. The Dragons has had four of their nine losses came in the fourth quarter alone were they were outscored badly (Southfield, Adams, Seaholm, and Clarkston.) The fourth quarter the Wolves outscored the Dragons 17-6, and made the Dragons panic, as they missed shots while Clarkston started to make their shots against the Dragons zone. Clarkston went on to a 48-36 victory over the Dragons and win their 17th district championship in a row. For the Dragons it was another painful loss to it's arch rival and it ends their revival season. Orion finished the year 14-9 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White. Clarkston hit eight three-pointers, the entire game. The Dragons hit three three-pointers. Alex Mayo led the Dragons with 11 points, while Derek Schrauben, and Ian Monk added six points each in the loss to Clarkston.
The season of the boys basketball team couldn't have gone any better, or better known as the revival team. Gone is the 4-18 season of 2008-2009 and it's disastrous tenure. A new coach in Mike Shafkalis was named after the disastrous season, some questioned the hiring after his junior varsity record in 2008-2009 but then again, his junior varsity team was depleted thanks to the call ups to varsity. The coaching change proved to be the right fit for not only Lake Orion, but also the community itself, and the players, most of them played under then coach Lance Davis and that disastrous season, believed in the new system that Shafkalis put in and also the culture change in Lake Orion. The Dragons started the season 1-3 but went 13-6 after that, which proved that the Dragons are a tough team to handle in the OAA White, while taking Seaholm to overtime at Lake Orion (scoring 78 points in a loss), proving their toughness, grit, and will to win. Also add the fact the Dragons freshman and junior varsity teams combined for a 32-7 record (JV 14-6, Freshman 18-1.)
The 2009-2010 boys basketball team set the foundation for the future of Lake Orion boys basketball. Even though there are new players coming in for next season from the freshman and Junior Varsity teams respectably, the foundation is already in place thanks to this team. This team won it's fans back, and the Orion, Clarkston game proved it, the LO-Zone was crazy, even tailgating before the game against Clarkston, next year they will be back in full force and likely could give Clarkston another run for it's money in districts. Next season expect the Dragons to compete in the OAA Red, they have enough talent to compete, work, determination, and win in the Red. Also they could give teams like Clarkston, Southfield, Southfield Lathrup, Avondale, Pontiac, North Farmington, and West Bloomfield a run for their money if they joined the Red. The future is bright in Lake Orion, and three things proved it, coaching, having fun, and just going out and giving it your all, that's all you can ask for. Congrats on a great season guys.
The Den would like to Congratulate the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Men's basketball team on winning the Summit League championship and compete in the upcoming NCAA Tournament this weekend.
Well both Orion's boys and girls basketball seasons are over, the girls basketball team suffered a painful loss at Troy Athens High School to second ranked Birmingham Marian, while the boys basketball team suffered a tough loss to arch rival Clarkston in the District Finals at Clarkston High School.
The girls basketball team came into the highly anticipated regional semifinal match up with second ranked Birmingham Marian with some confidence after winning the district championship on it's home court over the Stoney Creek Cougars 54-48. However the first quarter had the same painful memories as what happened to the Dragons in the State semifinal game against fifth ranked Benton Harbor last season, Benton Harbor pressured the Dragons like crazy and outscored the Dragons in the first half in Ypsilanti, in rout to a 65-45 win for the Tigers over the Dragons. Also not forget that Benton Harbor's two best players Debra Meeks and Illinois player Destiny Williams combined for 57 of the Tigers 65 points, the Mustangs were more balanced though.
It was very similar for the Dragons against the Mustangs on their defensive pressure, it was the same as Benton Harbor. Birmingham Marian's man defense pressured the Dragons like crazy forcing turnovers, and creating unforced errors, the Dragons turned the ball over 12 times in the first quarter, similar to Benton Harbor with the turnovers. The Dragons were outscored 23-8 to start the game, and Birmingham Marian did not let up. The Dragons trailed 35-16 at the half, and just could not recover in the second half against a tough Birmingham Marian defense. Birmingham Marian went onto defeat the Dragons 56-38, and moved on to the regional final against fourth ranked Detroit Renaissance, they were 22-1 overall until they played and fell to Detroit Renaissance in the regional final 41-33 to close their season 22-2 overall. The Dragons were led by Alexis Haan's 12 points and Jackie Hood's 11 points. The Dragons finished the season 15-9 overall and 6-8 in the OAA Red, congrats ladies on a good season.
The boys basketball team entered districts with some momentum after the 66-49 victory over Troy to close out the regular season. The first round of districts put the Dragons against the Stoney Creek Cougars. The Cougars came into the contest 15-5 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White division were suffering from a disastrous loss to Rochester at home to close out it's regular season. Stoney Creek also beat the Dragons twice in the regular season (68-49 at Stoney Creek, and 61-55 at Lake Orion, despite the fact the Cougars led 40-18 at the half in that game.) The first round game, wasn't much of a game, as it was much of a shocker only in a positive way if your a Dragon fan.
The Dragons sent shock waves not only to their fans, but also Cougars, Wolves, and Highlanders fans as they shockingly took down the Cougars 64-34. The Dragons took advantage of Stoney Creek's cold shooting and went hot from the field. Orion went up 16-6 and then 35-15 at the half. Even though the Dragons wore their home white's, they were considered the VISITOR team at Clarkston and that's how the Dragons like it. The second half did not provide any mercy for the Cougars either, as they were outscored 13-4 at the end of the third quarter, and trailed 48-19 after three quarters. The fourth quarter proved to be interesting but the Dragons still outscored the Cougars 16-15, and won by a shocking 30 points. The Dragons were led by Alex Mayo's 23 points, and Derek Schrauben's 17 points, Ian Monk added nine points for Orion. Stoney Creek finished the year 15-6 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White. The Dragons moved on to take on Rochester who eliminated the Oxford Wildcats 55-41 at Rochester High School for their showdown in the district semifinals.
The district semifinal took place at Clarkston High School between Orion and Rochester. The Dragons took the season series with the Falcons (68-61 in double overtime at Lake Orion, and 52-47 at Rochester.) The Falcons enter the game at 6-15 overall, and 2-12 in the OAA White division, they had nothing to lose because they were an underdog coming to the game against the Dragons. The basketball game was ugly throughout, Orion was considered the HOME team on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard in this one and was wearing the home white yet again. The Dragons only led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, which sent shock waves because the Dragons scored 64 against Stoney Creek and the Cougars are a better team than the Falcons based on the regular season and 22-18 at the half, which also shocked even more people because Rochester came into the game only winning six games in 21 tries.
Mostly the reason why the score was that low was thanks to Rochester's pressure defense, which for some reason has given the Dragons trouble in their previous two meetings. The second half went back and fourth, as each team traded baskets. The Falcons took the lead on three occasions in the second half (28-27, 33-32, and 35-33) before the Dragons pulled away late in the fourth quarter for the victory in the district semifinals, a hard fought 47-41 win over the Falcons. The free throw line was a nightmare for the Dragons, even their shooting percentage was also a disaster but the Dragons found a way to win ugly. Rochester finished it's season 6-16 overall and 2-11 in the OAA White. Derek Schrauben led the Dragons with 22 points, Alex Mayo only scored eight points, as they moved into the district finals with arch rival Clarkston in the Wolves home gym, who beat Romeo 50-41 in the district semifinals, and Rochester Adams 66-55 in the first round of districts.
The district finals was a perfect atmosphere between not only the Dragons and the Wolves, but also the LO-Zone and the Clarkston Jungle. The rivalry was renewed. Clarkston entered the game 17-5 overall, and 10-4 in the OAA Red division. Both the Dragons and the Wolves wanted this game real bad. The Dragons motivation was they wanted to prove the doubters wrong that beating Clarkston would prove that the Dragons are back, it would also heal the football losses to Clarkston on the Wolves football field on two occasions and also the regional final would be at Lake Orion if the Dragons won. Clarkston's motivation was to give legendary head coach Dan Fife his 17th consecutive district title, and also head back to the State semifinals where the Wolves fell to Kalamazoo Central, who lost to Detroit Pershing in the State championship game last season.
The Dragons on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard wore Green and was the VISITOR, something they were used to at Clarkston. The first quarter proved to be a battle of wills between the Dragons and the Wolves. The Dragons controlled the tempo of the game early, and took an 8-7 lead, shocking the Jungle and Wolves fans who believed that the game could be a blow-out like last season's game was. The second quarter was also evenly matched as well, only the Wolves took the second quarter (13-11) and a one point lead 20-19 at the half. But the Dragons were in it with Clarkston, a change from last year's disaster were the Dragons only scored 25 points the entire game in a 57-25 Wolves beat down at Waterford Mott in the district final. The third quarter was also an evenly matched quarter on the Clarkston Wolves scoreboard, only the Dragons could not take the lead at the end of the third quarter, despite the Dragons had numerous leads throughout the first, second, and third quarters. It was 31-30 Wolves score after three quarters.
Sadly what was yet to come proved to be a disastrous one for the Dragons, the fourth quarter. The Dragons has had four of their nine losses came in the fourth quarter alone were they were outscored badly (Southfield, Adams, Seaholm, and Clarkston.) The fourth quarter the Wolves outscored the Dragons 17-6, and made the Dragons panic, as they missed shots while Clarkston started to make their shots against the Dragons zone. Clarkston went on to a 48-36 victory over the Dragons and win their 17th district championship in a row. For the Dragons it was another painful loss to it's arch rival and it ends their revival season. Orion finished the year 14-9 overall and 9-5 in the OAA White. Clarkston hit eight three-pointers, the entire game. The Dragons hit three three-pointers. Alex Mayo led the Dragons with 11 points, while Derek Schrauben, and Ian Monk added six points each in the loss to Clarkston.
The season of the boys basketball team couldn't have gone any better, or better known as the revival team. Gone is the 4-18 season of 2008-2009 and it's disastrous tenure. A new coach in Mike Shafkalis was named after the disastrous season, some questioned the hiring after his junior varsity record in 2008-2009 but then again, his junior varsity team was depleted thanks to the call ups to varsity. The coaching change proved to be the right fit for not only Lake Orion, but also the community itself, and the players, most of them played under then coach Lance Davis and that disastrous season, believed in the new system that Shafkalis put in and also the culture change in Lake Orion. The Dragons started the season 1-3 but went 13-6 after that, which proved that the Dragons are a tough team to handle in the OAA White, while taking Seaholm to overtime at Lake Orion (scoring 78 points in a loss), proving their toughness, grit, and will to win. Also add the fact the Dragons freshman and junior varsity teams combined for a 32-7 record (JV 14-6, Freshman 18-1.)
The 2009-2010 boys basketball team set the foundation for the future of Lake Orion boys basketball. Even though there are new players coming in for next season from the freshman and Junior Varsity teams respectably, the foundation is already in place thanks to this team. This team won it's fans back, and the Orion, Clarkston game proved it, the LO-Zone was crazy, even tailgating before the game against Clarkston, next year they will be back in full force and likely could give Clarkston another run for it's money in districts. Next season expect the Dragons to compete in the OAA Red, they have enough talent to compete, work, determination, and win in the Red. Also they could give teams like Clarkston, Southfield, Southfield Lathrup, Avondale, Pontiac, North Farmington, and West Bloomfield a run for their money if they joined the Red. The future is bright in Lake Orion, and three things proved it, coaching, having fun, and just going out and giving it your all, that's all you can ask for. Congrats on a great season guys.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Dragon Ladies can Celebrate District Crown
Written Saturday March 6th, at 12:55 AM
In a phase a few weeks ago that wasn't even possible, the Lake Orion girls basketball team can finally celebrate their third district crown in four years. But the week wasn't that easy for the ladies if they wanted to get the prize. They had to go through the Rochester schools to gain the prize that they desired.
On Monday the ladies took on Rochester Adams in the first round of the district tournament and the first of the Rochester schools. Adams entered the game, at 12-8, and 9-5 in the OAA White. Adams proved to be no match as the Dragons outscored the Highlanders 29-9 in the first half, in rout to a 29-9 halftime lead. The Dragons went on to defeat the Highlanders 57-41 thanks to small forward Jackie Hood's 15 points, power forward Marisa Secontine added 13 points along with center Alexis Haan also adding 13 points. Shooting guard Jessica Lang scored 17 points to lead the Highlanders in the defeat.
On Wednesday if there wasn't a day the Dragons were looking forward to, it was Wednesday night and it was the Rochester Falcons in the district semifinals, the second of the Rochester schools. Earlier in the season the Falcons, who entered the game 10-10 and 9-5 in the OAA Red beat the Dragons twice, 47-32 at Rochester and 60-53 at Lake Orion. Things got crazy before the game even started, when the Falcons coaching staff demanded that they sit on the home side of the bench, because they were the home team in the bracket, and were wearing the white jerseys to prove it. However since the game was played at Lake Orion, the Dragons chose to sit on their normal bench, which would also help the clock, there is also a rule that the host school is always the home team even if they are the visitor on the scoreboard because of the home court. Both Rochester's Athletic Director and Orion Athletic Director Bill Reiss settled it, by making Lake Orion the home team in the book and have the bench, despite the fact that they were wearing their road green jerseys.
Rochester also had the returning Megan Heiden playing in just her second game back from a suspension for walking out on her coaching staff and teammates during their game against the Troy Colts. Many people thought it would be a distraction since she was on the court. In her first game back from suspension she torched Pontiac, scoring 18 points in a 49-39 win over the Phoenix on Senior's night at Rochester, but that was then now to the game. The Dragons were on fire early, outscoring the Falcons 10-4 in the first quarter, but the Falcons hung in there only trailing 20-17 at the half. The Dragons then went on a 13-7 run and ended the third quarter up 33-24 on their hated OAA Red rivals. Rochester then had an answer for the Dragons run, led by their point guard Ashley Keyes. The Falcons went on a 8-2 run and cut the Dragons lead to 35-32 with 3:07 left in the game, but that is how close the Falcons got to the Dragons. Orion then went on a 11-6 run to close out the game and get sweet revenge by knocking the Falcons out of the playoffs with a 46-38 victory. Hood led the Dragon attack with a double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds, Haan added 12 points and eight boards for Orion. Keyes had 15 points, and Heiden added ten points for the Falcons in the defeat.
On Friday night the Dragons were back in the a familiar place, the district championship game and it was against an old foe the Dragons beat earlier in the season 61-51, the Stoney Creek Cougars, the third and final Rochester school remaining in the districts. Stoney Creek came into play with a 15-7 record and 11-3 in the OAA White. The Cougars were also the co-OAA White division champions along with Auburn Hills Avondale and Troy Athens. Also it was the Cougars first ever trip to the district finals, so they hope it would be a memorable one for them. Stoney Creek was also led by super sophomore Gabby Yurik, who in the game at Stoney Creek torched the Dragons with 27 points, most her shots coming from the three point line.
The Cougars are a team that likes to shoot three pointers, and do them very well, but they also have an inside game in center Lauren Vagt, and she played well early in the district finals. Stoney Creek fed her the ball and she made them. Vagt scored the Cougars first eight points of the game, and also all the first quarter points for the Cougars. However the Dragons had an answer in the form of power forward Marisa Secontine. Secontine was hot early for the Dragons, scoring their first eight points to match Vagt. However a three pointer, and the only three pointer of the game by shooting guard Maddi Gagen and a added 9-0 run gave the Dragons some breathing room as they took an early 17-8 lead after the end of the first quarter.
Stoney Creek then made a run in the second quarter, quickly getting the Dragon lead back down to single digits, lead by Yurik. The Cougars outscored the Dragons 16-12 in the quarter but still trailed the Dragons 29-24 at the half. The third quarter was all Dragons, the Cougars went ice cold, especially with their three point shooting. The Dragons lead then increased from five back to 12 to start the fourth quarter. The Dragons lead 39-27 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Cougars started to get hot, with the three ball, but the Dragons matched them point for point in a six minute span, then Orion started missing shots, and saw their lead dissipate from 12 to three points at 49-46 with two minutes remaining in the game. The Dragons responded by going five for six at the free throw line late, and escaping with the district championship with a 54-48 victory over the Cougars in the process. Secontine lead all scorers with 19 points, Haan added eight points, and Hood added 14 points for the Dragons. Yurik added 15 points, and Vagt added 12 points for the Cougars in the defeat.
The Dragons are now the 2010 District 30 Champions, and are now 15-8 overall. The team is now in a brutal regional with state powerhouses fourth ranked Detroit Renaissance, second ranked Birmingham Marian, and also add Waterford Mott in that region, it's loaded. The Dragons will take on second ranked Birmingham Marian Tuesday night at 8 PM at Troy Athens High School. The Mustangs come in 21-1, with their only loss to Plymouth Canton, so this should be an interesting game between the OAA and the Catholic League. GO GREEN.
In a phase a few weeks ago that wasn't even possible, the Lake Orion girls basketball team can finally celebrate their third district crown in four years. But the week wasn't that easy for the ladies if they wanted to get the prize. They had to go through the Rochester schools to gain the prize that they desired.
On Monday the ladies took on Rochester Adams in the first round of the district tournament and the first of the Rochester schools. Adams entered the game, at 12-8, and 9-5 in the OAA White. Adams proved to be no match as the Dragons outscored the Highlanders 29-9 in the first half, in rout to a 29-9 halftime lead. The Dragons went on to defeat the Highlanders 57-41 thanks to small forward Jackie Hood's 15 points, power forward Marisa Secontine added 13 points along with center Alexis Haan also adding 13 points. Shooting guard Jessica Lang scored 17 points to lead the Highlanders in the defeat.
On Wednesday if there wasn't a day the Dragons were looking forward to, it was Wednesday night and it was the Rochester Falcons in the district semifinals, the second of the Rochester schools. Earlier in the season the Falcons, who entered the game 10-10 and 9-5 in the OAA Red beat the Dragons twice, 47-32 at Rochester and 60-53 at Lake Orion. Things got crazy before the game even started, when the Falcons coaching staff demanded that they sit on the home side of the bench, because they were the home team in the bracket, and were wearing the white jerseys to prove it. However since the game was played at Lake Orion, the Dragons chose to sit on their normal bench, which would also help the clock, there is also a rule that the host school is always the home team even if they are the visitor on the scoreboard because of the home court. Both Rochester's Athletic Director and Orion Athletic Director Bill Reiss settled it, by making Lake Orion the home team in the book and have the bench, despite the fact that they were wearing their road green jerseys.
Rochester also had the returning Megan Heiden playing in just her second game back from a suspension for walking out on her coaching staff and teammates during their game against the Troy Colts. Many people thought it would be a distraction since she was on the court. In her first game back from suspension she torched Pontiac, scoring 18 points in a 49-39 win over the Phoenix on Senior's night at Rochester, but that was then now to the game. The Dragons were on fire early, outscoring the Falcons 10-4 in the first quarter, but the Falcons hung in there only trailing 20-17 at the half. The Dragons then went on a 13-7 run and ended the third quarter up 33-24 on their hated OAA Red rivals. Rochester then had an answer for the Dragons run, led by their point guard Ashley Keyes. The Falcons went on a 8-2 run and cut the Dragons lead to 35-32 with 3:07 left in the game, but that is how close the Falcons got to the Dragons. Orion then went on a 11-6 run to close out the game and get sweet revenge by knocking the Falcons out of the playoffs with a 46-38 victory. Hood led the Dragon attack with a double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds, Haan added 12 points and eight boards for Orion. Keyes had 15 points, and Heiden added ten points for the Falcons in the defeat.
On Friday night the Dragons were back in the a familiar place, the district championship game and it was against an old foe the Dragons beat earlier in the season 61-51, the Stoney Creek Cougars, the third and final Rochester school remaining in the districts. Stoney Creek came into play with a 15-7 record and 11-3 in the OAA White. The Cougars were also the co-OAA White division champions along with Auburn Hills Avondale and Troy Athens. Also it was the Cougars first ever trip to the district finals, so they hope it would be a memorable one for them. Stoney Creek was also led by super sophomore Gabby Yurik, who in the game at Stoney Creek torched the Dragons with 27 points, most her shots coming from the three point line.
The Cougars are a team that likes to shoot three pointers, and do them very well, but they also have an inside game in center Lauren Vagt, and she played well early in the district finals. Stoney Creek fed her the ball and she made them. Vagt scored the Cougars first eight points of the game, and also all the first quarter points for the Cougars. However the Dragons had an answer in the form of power forward Marisa Secontine. Secontine was hot early for the Dragons, scoring their first eight points to match Vagt. However a three pointer, and the only three pointer of the game by shooting guard Maddi Gagen and a added 9-0 run gave the Dragons some breathing room as they took an early 17-8 lead after the end of the first quarter.
Stoney Creek then made a run in the second quarter, quickly getting the Dragon lead back down to single digits, lead by Yurik. The Cougars outscored the Dragons 16-12 in the quarter but still trailed the Dragons 29-24 at the half. The third quarter was all Dragons, the Cougars went ice cold, especially with their three point shooting. The Dragons lead then increased from five back to 12 to start the fourth quarter. The Dragons lead 39-27 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Cougars started to get hot, with the three ball, but the Dragons matched them point for point in a six minute span, then Orion started missing shots, and saw their lead dissipate from 12 to three points at 49-46 with two minutes remaining in the game. The Dragons responded by going five for six at the free throw line late, and escaping with the district championship with a 54-48 victory over the Cougars in the process. Secontine lead all scorers with 19 points, Haan added eight points, and Hood added 14 points for the Dragons. Yurik added 15 points, and Vagt added 12 points for the Cougars in the defeat.
The Dragons are now the 2010 District 30 Champions, and are now 15-8 overall. The team is now in a brutal regional with state powerhouses fourth ranked Detroit Renaissance, second ranked Birmingham Marian, and also add Waterford Mott in that region, it's loaded. The Dragons will take on second ranked Birmingham Marian Tuesday night at 8 PM at Troy Athens High School. The Mustangs come in 21-1, with their only loss to Plymouth Canton, so this should be an interesting game between the OAA and the Catholic League. GO GREEN.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Heartbreak in Girls AGAIN, but win two of three, while the Boys go 1-2 in three games
Written Saturday February 27th, at 12:48 AM
Hey all, sorry about last week, but it's been pretty hectic with the basketball seasons winding down, ah playoff basketball, fever is in the air and nothing could come what has happened in the last two weeks of the season.
Lets start with the Dragon Ladies. The Ladies came into their final three games of the season after suffering not one but two heartbreaking losses to the two top teams in the OAA Red, Southfield Lathrup 50-48 on Wednesday on a tough fade away jumper, and to North Farmington 49-48 last Thursday Night on a fast break contested lay up.
Everything was perfect for the Dragons to win the game against North Farmington, they held Oakland University recruit Jenna Bachrouche to zero, you heard it right zero points the entire game. Plus add another Courtney Zott moment from last season, when Orion shooting guard Maddi Gagen gave the Dragons a 48-47 lead with 9.6 seconds remaining in the game. However there was one main difference from last year's game, that gave Orion the 55-54 win over North Farmington and this years game. It was the fact that the Raiders scored to win the game as time expired with 2.5 seconds left in the game, and this time the Raiders broke the Dragons hearts yet again as the Raiders stormed the court and celebrated their miraculous win, while the Dragons watched.
Still stinging from the loss to North Farmington, the Dragons suffered yet another tough and painful loss. This painful loss came on Wednesday night at the hands of Southfield Lathrup, only this time it wasn't a contested lay up that would beat the Dragons, it would be a tough fade away jumper that would beat the Dragons, once it hit the net was nothing Orion could have done to defend it, as time ran out. It sealed the win for the Chargers as they stormed the court in celebration and beat the Dragons 50-48, it also broke the Dragons hearts yet again.
Two home losses in a span of six days, wait a minute let me say that again, it was two heartbreaking losses for the Dragons that went down to the final buzzer, and also add the Pontiac loss at Sy Green Gym, which also went to overtime, in which the Dragons had a chance to win that game, that game counts as three heartbreaking losses for this team.
However before the Lathrup heartbreak on Wednesday, the Dragons had a game on Tuesday night at home. They used a balanced scoring attack of Jackie Hood, Alexis Haan, Maddi Gagen, Marissa Secontine, Alyssa Wesley, and Dana Schrauben against the last place in the OAA Red Lakers of West Bloomfield. The six players that were mentioned scored 52 of the team's 56 points, in rout to a 56-31 win over the Lakers. The Dragons defense also limited freshman star point guard Sydney Davis to just nine points in the contest and never let the Lakers play their style of game, at the Green House, unlike the last time these two teams met at West Bloomfield, the Dragons however won that game 59-49, and survived Sydney Davis 28 points.
On Friday in the last regular season game of the season the Dragons traveled to Clarkston for a highly anticipated rivalry game with the Wolves of Clarkston. Clarkston entered the game 6-12 overall and 4-9 in the OAA Red. The rivalry is not only in Girls Basketball, but also in Football, Baseball, Track, Boys Basketball, Softball, etc. Also add the fact that the Dragons beat the Wolves 38-32 at the Green House prior to this match up. Rivalry said Clarkston's long time respective and beloved announcer Dale Ryan, "Just another day in the Lake Orion/Clarkston rivalry" and he was right, it was just another chapter of the Lake Orion/Clarkston rivalry that had to be played out.
It was pretty much an ugly game throughout. Both teams turned the ball over numerous times, the Dragons 26 turnovers to the Wolves 21 turnovers. The first half turnovers was also nightmarish (Lake Orion 14 first half turnovers to Clarkston's eight). The foul situation for the Dragons was also a tough go, the Dragons had three players (Hood, Haan, and Secontine) with two fouls each. However the Wolves had some trouble of their own with their star player Kaliegh Kenny, Kenny also had two fouls in the first half. The Dragons were only up a dismal 12-10 score at the half. The free throw shooting was just a nightmare to watch on both sides, especially in the first half with Orion going one for six, while Clarkston went two for six at the free throw line. For the whole game Orion went two for 11 on the free throw line, while Clarkston went five for 12 from the line, which won't win you a lot of games.
Orion went on a major run late in the third quarter, it turned out to be the difference maker in the game, thanks to a three pointer by Jamie Tasco that began a 16-5 run in the third quarter, and continued throughout into the fourth quarter to eventually close out the game. The Dragons went on and won by an ugly 28-17 victory over Clarkston, sending it's record to 12-8 overall and a tie for fourth place in the OAA Red with a 6-8 division record. Orion Center Marissa Secontine scored eight points to lead the Dragon attack in the victory over the Wolves.
The Dragons (12-8, 6-8 OAA Red) now enter districts with some momentum, as they prepare to host their district, when the Rochester Adams Highlanders (12-8, 9-5 OAA White) come a calling to the Green House on Monday night at 7 PM. Earlier in the season the Dragons defeated the Highlanders 46-33 at Adams. The winner of the Orion/Adams showdown will meet the returning Megan Heiden (who walked out during the Troy game) and her Rochester Falcons (11-9, 9-5 OAA Red) on Wednesday Night at the Green House. The other half of the district features the Oxford Wildcats (11-9, 11-7 Flint Metro League) taking on the Romeo Bulldogs (13-7, 6-4 Macomb Area Conference White) on Monday at the Dog Pound at Romeo High School. Also the Clarkston Wolves (6-14, 4-10 OAA Red) will take on the Stoney Creek Cougars (13-7,11-3 OAA White) at 5:30 PM on Monday Night at the Green House. Earlier in the season Clarkston beat Stoney Creek without their star player Kaleigh Kenny 46-45 at Clarkston, so two rematches on Monday should be interesting.
The JV ladies finished the 2009-2010 season 8-12, while the freshman ladies finished the season 4-13, good season ladies.
The Lake Orion Boys basketball team had a tough two game home stretch to hope to contend for an OAA White Championship, however that dream was broken by both Birmingham Seaholm and Stoney Creek. Then on Friday the team traveled to Troy to face off against the always dangerous Troy Athens Red Hawks.
The Dragon Boys fell in a showdown of titans last Tuesday night, 80-78 in overtime to Seaholm. Derek Schrauben led the charge with 24 points in the loss for the Dragons. Newly Michigan Football recruit Shawn Conway scored 31 points, with six three pointers to lead all scorers, Christian Pino scored 13 points, and Florida International recruit Richaud Pack scored 21 points for Seaholm. The game was tied 69-69 after four quarters requiring the overtime session. Seaholm took the lead for good after a huge three pointer by Pino to give them a 72-69 lead in the overtime session, however the Dragons kept battling back, and even getting back down to one, 79-78 with five seconds remaining in the overtime session but it wasn't enough and Seaholm took home a huge victory over the Dragons, as it moves one step closer to the OAA White championship.
After the tough loss to Seaholm, Orion took on Stoney Creek last Friday Night, a team that has given the Dragons fits everytime they play the Cougars. Earlier in the season the Cougars embarrassed the Dragons 68-49 at Stoney Creek, so everyone thought the Dragons would play a lot better this time around, well not exactly. Things got worse off the get go for the Dragons in the first half, especially in the second quarter. The first quarter the Dragons only trailed 16-12 to the Cougars, but the second quarter it was all Cougars. Stoney Creek went on a 24-6 run, led by their main catalyst in Jake Fortner. Fortner scored 12 of his 21 points in the second quarter, to give the Cougars a shocking and stunning 40-18 lead at the half. In the second half Orion worked it's way back from a 22 point deficit to cut it to five points with 14 seconds left in the game but it wasn't meant to be. The Dragons fell for the second time this season to the Cougars 61-55, what makes this loss worse is that Stoney Creek is the Dragons first round playoff opponent in two weeks at Clarkston.
After a week off, the Dragons had to rebound with a date against Troy Athens. However things did not go well again with the Dragons, they trailed 14-8 early in the second quarter. After a timeout Orion Coach Mike Shafkalis decided to see if they could run a fast pace type of game and bring all sorts of pressure on the Red Hawks, and cut into this deficit. It worked to perfection if your a Dragon fan, and they looked like a new team. The Dragons then went on a 13-3 run to close out the second quarter and take a 21-17 lead at half. The third quarter saw the Dragons go on a 14-2 run to start the third quarter, and take a 35-19 lead. However the Red Hawks had an answer of their own, they went on a 12-2 run of their own, cutting the Dragons lead to 37-31 early in the fourth quarter but it wasn't mean to be for the Red Hawks. The Dragons snapped their two game losing streak, winning 50-43 on the road at Troy Athens, in a game they needed desperately to gain some confidence heading into a big showdown with Rochester Adams on the road on Tuesday night. The Dragons were led by Alex Mayo's 15 points, Derek Schrauben's 13 points, and Ian Monk's eight points.
Orion now stands at 11-7 overall, and 8-4 in the OAA White, now plays second place Rochester Adams on Tuesday night. The Highlanders (14-4, 10-2 OAA White) blew out Berkley 78-48 on Friday night, after getting crushed by Clarkston 60-35 last Tuesday night. The Dragons do own a win over Adams 45-38, at Lake Orion, so this game is going to be interesting in that department. On Thursday they host the Troy Colts (7-11, 3-9 OAA White) for their last Boys Basketball game of the regular season before districts start at Clarkston next week against Stoney Creek. Thursday is also Seniors night as well.
The JV boys record is a mystery after suffering their fourth loss of the season to Troy Athens Friday night. They fell 52-42 to the Red Hawks, now their record is now 14-4 overall and 9-3 in the OAA White. The Freshman boys improved their record to 16-1, and 12-0 in the OAA White with a comfortable 65-40 win over Troy Athens on Thursday Afternoon. Both teams will travel to Adams and play the Highlanders at 4 PM and 5:30 respectably on Tuesday night and then the freshman travel to Troy for their last basketball game of the regular season against the Colts while the JV host Troy on Thursday.
This week should be an interesting one, of course districts start in the girls while the boys wait another week, well see you next week and GO GREEN.
Hey all, sorry about last week, but it's been pretty hectic with the basketball seasons winding down, ah playoff basketball, fever is in the air and nothing could come what has happened in the last two weeks of the season.
Lets start with the Dragon Ladies. The Ladies came into their final three games of the season after suffering not one but two heartbreaking losses to the two top teams in the OAA Red, Southfield Lathrup 50-48 on Wednesday on a tough fade away jumper, and to North Farmington 49-48 last Thursday Night on a fast break contested lay up.
Everything was perfect for the Dragons to win the game against North Farmington, they held Oakland University recruit Jenna Bachrouche to zero, you heard it right zero points the entire game. Plus add another Courtney Zott moment from last season, when Orion shooting guard Maddi Gagen gave the Dragons a 48-47 lead with 9.6 seconds remaining in the game. However there was one main difference from last year's game, that gave Orion the 55-54 win over North Farmington and this years game. It was the fact that the Raiders scored to win the game as time expired with 2.5 seconds left in the game, and this time the Raiders broke the Dragons hearts yet again as the Raiders stormed the court and celebrated their miraculous win, while the Dragons watched.
Still stinging from the loss to North Farmington, the Dragons suffered yet another tough and painful loss. This painful loss came on Wednesday night at the hands of Southfield Lathrup, only this time it wasn't a contested lay up that would beat the Dragons, it would be a tough fade away jumper that would beat the Dragons, once it hit the net was nothing Orion could have done to defend it, as time ran out. It sealed the win for the Chargers as they stormed the court in celebration and beat the Dragons 50-48, it also broke the Dragons hearts yet again.
Two home losses in a span of six days, wait a minute let me say that again, it was two heartbreaking losses for the Dragons that went down to the final buzzer, and also add the Pontiac loss at Sy Green Gym, which also went to overtime, in which the Dragons had a chance to win that game, that game counts as three heartbreaking losses for this team.
However before the Lathrup heartbreak on Wednesday, the Dragons had a game on Tuesday night at home. They used a balanced scoring attack of Jackie Hood, Alexis Haan, Maddi Gagen, Marissa Secontine, Alyssa Wesley, and Dana Schrauben against the last place in the OAA Red Lakers of West Bloomfield. The six players that were mentioned scored 52 of the team's 56 points, in rout to a 56-31 win over the Lakers. The Dragons defense also limited freshman star point guard Sydney Davis to just nine points in the contest and never let the Lakers play their style of game, at the Green House, unlike the last time these two teams met at West Bloomfield, the Dragons however won that game 59-49, and survived Sydney Davis 28 points.
On Friday in the last regular season game of the season the Dragons traveled to Clarkston for a highly anticipated rivalry game with the Wolves of Clarkston. Clarkston entered the game 6-12 overall and 4-9 in the OAA Red. The rivalry is not only in Girls Basketball, but also in Football, Baseball, Track, Boys Basketball, Softball, etc. Also add the fact that the Dragons beat the Wolves 38-32 at the Green House prior to this match up. Rivalry said Clarkston's long time respective and beloved announcer Dale Ryan, "Just another day in the Lake Orion/Clarkston rivalry" and he was right, it was just another chapter of the Lake Orion/Clarkston rivalry that had to be played out.
It was pretty much an ugly game throughout. Both teams turned the ball over numerous times, the Dragons 26 turnovers to the Wolves 21 turnovers. The first half turnovers was also nightmarish (Lake Orion 14 first half turnovers to Clarkston's eight). The foul situation for the Dragons was also a tough go, the Dragons had three players (Hood, Haan, and Secontine) with two fouls each. However the Wolves had some trouble of their own with their star player Kaliegh Kenny, Kenny also had two fouls in the first half. The Dragons were only up a dismal 12-10 score at the half. The free throw shooting was just a nightmare to watch on both sides, especially in the first half with Orion going one for six, while Clarkston went two for six at the free throw line. For the whole game Orion went two for 11 on the free throw line, while Clarkston went five for 12 from the line, which won't win you a lot of games.
Orion went on a major run late in the third quarter, it turned out to be the difference maker in the game, thanks to a three pointer by Jamie Tasco that began a 16-5 run in the third quarter, and continued throughout into the fourth quarter to eventually close out the game. The Dragons went on and won by an ugly 28-17 victory over Clarkston, sending it's record to 12-8 overall and a tie for fourth place in the OAA Red with a 6-8 division record. Orion Center Marissa Secontine scored eight points to lead the Dragon attack in the victory over the Wolves.
The Dragons (12-8, 6-8 OAA Red) now enter districts with some momentum, as they prepare to host their district, when the Rochester Adams Highlanders (12-8, 9-5 OAA White) come a calling to the Green House on Monday night at 7 PM. Earlier in the season the Dragons defeated the Highlanders 46-33 at Adams. The winner of the Orion/Adams showdown will meet the returning Megan Heiden (who walked out during the Troy game) and her Rochester Falcons (11-9, 9-5 OAA Red) on Wednesday Night at the Green House. The other half of the district features the Oxford Wildcats (11-9, 11-7 Flint Metro League) taking on the Romeo Bulldogs (13-7, 6-4 Macomb Area Conference White) on Monday at the Dog Pound at Romeo High School. Also the Clarkston Wolves (6-14, 4-10 OAA Red) will take on the Stoney Creek Cougars (13-7,11-3 OAA White) at 5:30 PM on Monday Night at the Green House. Earlier in the season Clarkston beat Stoney Creek without their star player Kaleigh Kenny 46-45 at Clarkston, so two rematches on Monday should be interesting.
The JV ladies finished the 2009-2010 season 8-12, while the freshman ladies finished the season 4-13, good season ladies.
The Lake Orion Boys basketball team had a tough two game home stretch to hope to contend for an OAA White Championship, however that dream was broken by both Birmingham Seaholm and Stoney Creek. Then on Friday the team traveled to Troy to face off against the always dangerous Troy Athens Red Hawks.
The Dragon Boys fell in a showdown of titans last Tuesday night, 80-78 in overtime to Seaholm. Derek Schrauben led the charge with 24 points in the loss for the Dragons. Newly Michigan Football recruit Shawn Conway scored 31 points, with six three pointers to lead all scorers, Christian Pino scored 13 points, and Florida International recruit Richaud Pack scored 21 points for Seaholm. The game was tied 69-69 after four quarters requiring the overtime session. Seaholm took the lead for good after a huge three pointer by Pino to give them a 72-69 lead in the overtime session, however the Dragons kept battling back, and even getting back down to one, 79-78 with five seconds remaining in the overtime session but it wasn't enough and Seaholm took home a huge victory over the Dragons, as it moves one step closer to the OAA White championship.
After the tough loss to Seaholm, Orion took on Stoney Creek last Friday Night, a team that has given the Dragons fits everytime they play the Cougars. Earlier in the season the Cougars embarrassed the Dragons 68-49 at Stoney Creek, so everyone thought the Dragons would play a lot better this time around, well not exactly. Things got worse off the get go for the Dragons in the first half, especially in the second quarter. The first quarter the Dragons only trailed 16-12 to the Cougars, but the second quarter it was all Cougars. Stoney Creek went on a 24-6 run, led by their main catalyst in Jake Fortner. Fortner scored 12 of his 21 points in the second quarter, to give the Cougars a shocking and stunning 40-18 lead at the half. In the second half Orion worked it's way back from a 22 point deficit to cut it to five points with 14 seconds left in the game but it wasn't meant to be. The Dragons fell for the second time this season to the Cougars 61-55, what makes this loss worse is that Stoney Creek is the Dragons first round playoff opponent in two weeks at Clarkston.
After a week off, the Dragons had to rebound with a date against Troy Athens. However things did not go well again with the Dragons, they trailed 14-8 early in the second quarter. After a timeout Orion Coach Mike Shafkalis decided to see if they could run a fast pace type of game and bring all sorts of pressure on the Red Hawks, and cut into this deficit. It worked to perfection if your a Dragon fan, and they looked like a new team. The Dragons then went on a 13-3 run to close out the second quarter and take a 21-17 lead at half. The third quarter saw the Dragons go on a 14-2 run to start the third quarter, and take a 35-19 lead. However the Red Hawks had an answer of their own, they went on a 12-2 run of their own, cutting the Dragons lead to 37-31 early in the fourth quarter but it wasn't mean to be for the Red Hawks. The Dragons snapped their two game losing streak, winning 50-43 on the road at Troy Athens, in a game they needed desperately to gain some confidence heading into a big showdown with Rochester Adams on the road on Tuesday night. The Dragons were led by Alex Mayo's 15 points, Derek Schrauben's 13 points, and Ian Monk's eight points.
Orion now stands at 11-7 overall, and 8-4 in the OAA White, now plays second place Rochester Adams on Tuesday night. The Highlanders (14-4, 10-2 OAA White) blew out Berkley 78-48 on Friday night, after getting crushed by Clarkston 60-35 last Tuesday night. The Dragons do own a win over Adams 45-38, at Lake Orion, so this game is going to be interesting in that department. On Thursday they host the Troy Colts (7-11, 3-9 OAA White) for their last Boys Basketball game of the regular season before districts start at Clarkston next week against Stoney Creek. Thursday is also Seniors night as well.
The JV boys record is a mystery after suffering their fourth loss of the season to Troy Athens Friday night. They fell 52-42 to the Red Hawks, now their record is now 14-4 overall and 9-3 in the OAA White. The Freshman boys improved their record to 16-1, and 12-0 in the OAA White with a comfortable 65-40 win over Troy Athens on Thursday Afternoon. Both teams will travel to Adams and play the Highlanders at 4 PM and 5:30 respectably on Tuesday night and then the freshman travel to Troy for their last basketball game of the regular season against the Colts while the JV host Troy on Thursday.
This week should be an interesting one, of course districts start in the girls while the boys wait another week, well see you next week and GO GREEN.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Boys and Girls get into double figures in wins
Written Monday February 15th at 8:04 PM
This week the Lake Orion Varsity Boys and Girls teams played one game each this week,the girls game with Southfield Lathrup was postponed to Wednesday February 24th because of Tuesday and Wednesday's snowstorm. The Boys traveled to Rochester to take on the Falcons on Thursday Night, and the Girls traveled to Troy to take on the improving Colts on Friday Night.
The Lake Orion Girls basketball team went into Troy, losers of two straight coming into the contest let out their own set of anger Friday Night, as they outscored the Colts 17-2 in the first quarter in rout to a 35-28 victory over the Colts. Dragon Center Alexis Haan had 12 points, while small forward Jackie Hood scored six points, and had ten rebounds. Shooting guard Maddi Gagen added six points, on two three pointers before leaving with an injury in the second quarter, and Jamie Tasco added six points and two blocks leading the Dragon attack. Liz Siepker had seven points and Karin Moss added six points off two three pointers for the Colts.
The Dragon ladies are now 10-6 overall, and 4-6 in OAA Red play. They play North Farmington on Thursday night at Lake Orion. The Raiders lead the Red, coming in at 12-3, and 9-1 in the OAA Red, with their only league loss to Rochester. They are led by Oakland University bound Center Jenna Bachroughe, along with Senior small forward Lyndsey Booker and Sophomore point guard Jasmine Harris. In the first meeting the Raiders beat the Dragons 57-45, after a technical foul against Alexis Haan cost the Dragons that one, after they were down 44-40 with six minutes left in that one.
The JV ladies suffered a heartbreaking loss to Troy 33-32, they are now 8-8 overall, and 4-6 in the OAA Red. The Freshman ladies also fell to Troy 35-23, after having chances in that game, now they are 4-10 overall, and 2-8 in the OAA Red. Both teams play North Farmington on Thursday with the Freshman traveling to North Farmington to play the Raiders while the JV host the Raiders for the early game.
The Dragons Boys basketball team traveled for their last game of a three game road trip against last place Rochester on Thursday night, but the Falcons did not play the role of a last place team and almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the OAA White standings. However it wasn't meant to be as the Dragons went into Rochester and beat the Falcons 52-47 in a hard fought game, in what could be a possible second place showdown in districts, if both teams get there. The Dragons did trail by four points on two occasions, 38-34, and 40-36 before coming from behind and winning the game.
The Dragons were led by Senior Center Ian Monk, who had 12 points, shooting guard Alex Mayo had a poor night offensively, but he was six for six at the free throw line and added nine points. Small forward Derek Schrauben added eight points. Point guard Steve Dolinski added seven points, and reserve forward Evan Dream hit two timely three pointers for the Dragons with six points. Nick Bradley, and Allante Thompson scored ten points each, while Billy Klotz added nine points and Nick O Neal's eight points led the Falcons attack.
The Dragon boys are now 10-5 overall and 7-2 in OAA White play. They now have two games this week, both games will be at Orion. They set up a big first place showdown in the OAA White Tuesday night with the 14-1 overall and 8-1 in the OAA White Birmingham Seaholm. The last time Seaholm played on a Tuesday they lost to Adams in a tough one 47-42 at Adams last Tuesday night. The Maples are led by Florida International recruit and Isiah Thomas idol in Senior shooting guard Richaud Pack, who averages about 25 points per game, his partner in crime in Junior Shawn Conway, who is one of the best centers and shot blockers in the OAA, also Bloomfield Hills Andover transfer point guard Christian Pino and Buddy Ellis are big helpers for the Maples attack. Earlier in the season the Dragons fell 62-54 at Seaholm, thanks to Pack's 26 points most of them were at the free throw line and Conway's 20 points in that game.
The next game after Seaholm could be a district preview with Stoney Creek on Friday night. Both Orion and Stoney Creek do play each other in the first round of the district playoffs at Clarkston in March. The Creek is coming in 11-3 overall in 6-3 in the OAA White. The Cougars are led by Senior hard working shooting guard Jake Fortner, who has carried them in a few games this season. The Cougars are also big in size and height, so this game could be interesting Friday night when it comes to rebounding. The last time they met it was a 19 point beat down by the Cougars 68-49, when the Dragons did not play well in that game, and only trailed 25-23 at halftime down at their place. Friday should fun at the Lake Orion Field House
The JV boys suffered a shocker to the Falcons, losing 61-53, being out rebounded and outplayed by the Falcons. The JV boys dropped to 13-2 overall, and 8-1 in OAA White play, while the Freshman boys defeated Rochester 67-45 at home, increasing their mark to 13-1 overall and 9-0 in OAA White play. Both teams will play Birmingham Seaholm on Tuesday, the freshman traveling to Seaholm, while the JV host the Maples. Then on Friday the freshman and JV boys teams will both be home when they play Stoney Creek.
This should be an interesting week, so GO GREEN.
This week the Lake Orion Varsity Boys and Girls teams played one game each this week,the girls game with Southfield Lathrup was postponed to Wednesday February 24th because of Tuesday and Wednesday's snowstorm. The Boys traveled to Rochester to take on the Falcons on Thursday Night, and the Girls traveled to Troy to take on the improving Colts on Friday Night.
The Lake Orion Girls basketball team went into Troy, losers of two straight coming into the contest let out their own set of anger Friday Night, as they outscored the Colts 17-2 in the first quarter in rout to a 35-28 victory over the Colts. Dragon Center Alexis Haan had 12 points, while small forward Jackie Hood scored six points, and had ten rebounds. Shooting guard Maddi Gagen added six points, on two three pointers before leaving with an injury in the second quarter, and Jamie Tasco added six points and two blocks leading the Dragon attack. Liz Siepker had seven points and Karin Moss added six points off two three pointers for the Colts.
The Dragon ladies are now 10-6 overall, and 4-6 in OAA Red play. They play North Farmington on Thursday night at Lake Orion. The Raiders lead the Red, coming in at 12-3, and 9-1 in the OAA Red, with their only league loss to Rochester. They are led by Oakland University bound Center Jenna Bachroughe, along with Senior small forward Lyndsey Booker and Sophomore point guard Jasmine Harris. In the first meeting the Raiders beat the Dragons 57-45, after a technical foul against Alexis Haan cost the Dragons that one, after they were down 44-40 with six minutes left in that one.
The JV ladies suffered a heartbreaking loss to Troy 33-32, they are now 8-8 overall, and 4-6 in the OAA Red. The Freshman ladies also fell to Troy 35-23, after having chances in that game, now they are 4-10 overall, and 2-8 in the OAA Red. Both teams play North Farmington on Thursday with the Freshman traveling to North Farmington to play the Raiders while the JV host the Raiders for the early game.
The Dragons Boys basketball team traveled for their last game of a three game road trip against last place Rochester on Thursday night, but the Falcons did not play the role of a last place team and almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the OAA White standings. However it wasn't meant to be as the Dragons went into Rochester and beat the Falcons 52-47 in a hard fought game, in what could be a possible second place showdown in districts, if both teams get there. The Dragons did trail by four points on two occasions, 38-34, and 40-36 before coming from behind and winning the game.
The Dragons were led by Senior Center Ian Monk, who had 12 points, shooting guard Alex Mayo had a poor night offensively, but he was six for six at the free throw line and added nine points. Small forward Derek Schrauben added eight points. Point guard Steve Dolinski added seven points, and reserve forward Evan Dream hit two timely three pointers for the Dragons with six points. Nick Bradley, and Allante Thompson scored ten points each, while Billy Klotz added nine points and Nick O Neal's eight points led the Falcons attack.
The Dragon boys are now 10-5 overall and 7-2 in OAA White play. They now have two games this week, both games will be at Orion. They set up a big first place showdown in the OAA White Tuesday night with the 14-1 overall and 8-1 in the OAA White Birmingham Seaholm. The last time Seaholm played on a Tuesday they lost to Adams in a tough one 47-42 at Adams last Tuesday night. The Maples are led by Florida International recruit and Isiah Thomas idol in Senior shooting guard Richaud Pack, who averages about 25 points per game, his partner in crime in Junior Shawn Conway, who is one of the best centers and shot blockers in the OAA, also Bloomfield Hills Andover transfer point guard Christian Pino and Buddy Ellis are big helpers for the Maples attack. Earlier in the season the Dragons fell 62-54 at Seaholm, thanks to Pack's 26 points most of them were at the free throw line and Conway's 20 points in that game.
The next game after Seaholm could be a district preview with Stoney Creek on Friday night. Both Orion and Stoney Creek do play each other in the first round of the district playoffs at Clarkston in March. The Creek is coming in 11-3 overall in 6-3 in the OAA White. The Cougars are led by Senior hard working shooting guard Jake Fortner, who has carried them in a few games this season. The Cougars are also big in size and height, so this game could be interesting Friday night when it comes to rebounding. The last time they met it was a 19 point beat down by the Cougars 68-49, when the Dragons did not play well in that game, and only trailed 25-23 at halftime down at their place. Friday should fun at the Lake Orion Field House
The JV boys suffered a shocker to the Falcons, losing 61-53, being out rebounded and outplayed by the Falcons. The JV boys dropped to 13-2 overall, and 8-1 in OAA White play, while the Freshman boys defeated Rochester 67-45 at home, increasing their mark to 13-1 overall and 9-0 in OAA White play. Both teams will play Birmingham Seaholm on Tuesday, the freshman traveling to Seaholm, while the JV host the Maples. Then on Friday the freshman and JV boys teams will both be home when they play Stoney Creek.
This should be an interesting week, so GO GREEN.
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