Written Thursday May 7th at 12:15 PM
The divisions for the boys and girls basketball divisions are out and they are interesting if you are a Dragons fan.
The divisions are a four/six format So we will go with the Boys First.
Red:
Clarkston
North Farmington
Southfield
Lathrup
Adams
Troy Athens
White:
Pontiac
Avondale
Oak Park
West Bloomfield
Troy
Bloomfield Hills
Blue:
ORION
Oxford
Stoney Creek
Rochester
Seaholm
Farmington
Gold:
Harrison
Hazel Park
Ferndale
Berkley
Royal Oak
Groves
I think the division the Dragons are in is a nice division, they have a chance to win the crown. Rochester and Stoney Creek will be solid but Farmington, Oxford, and Seaholm will be solid. Expect this race to be interesting this winter.
Girls:
Red:
Lathrup
Harrison
Clarkston
Adams
Stoney Creek
Oxford
White:
ORION
Bloomfield Hills
North Farmington
Troy
West Bloomfield
Royal Oak
Blue:
Seaholm
Farmington
Rochester
Oak Park
Southfield
Avondale
Gold:
Pontiac
Hazel Park
Groves
Ferndale
Berkley
Troy Athens
I look at the White as being a three team maybe four team race between North Farmington, West Bloomfield, Orion, and Bloomfield Hills but at the end of the day, I think this could be a two team race though between the Raiders and Dragons.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Dragons will look Different in 2015-2016.
Written Thursday May 7th, at 11:30 AM
The Orion Dragons will be looking for their fourth boys basketball coach in seven seasons on Wednesday when coach Tom Risi stepped down Wednesday after suffering a tough 4-16 season in 2014-2015.
Risi led the Dragons to the state quarterfinals in 2012 and gave Orion their first district title in 28 years and first regional title since 1925 in 2012.
Possible Candidates:
With Risi's resignation it means that Orion Athletic Director, Bill Reiss will be looking for a new coach. It wouldn't be surprising at all, that these seven would be in the running for the job. The Orion job is a good job with three middle schools forming one big school. It is possible that Reiss would look elsewhere but these seven coaches do come into mind when looking for the best candidate.
1. Steve DeHart: DeHart is the current Junior Varsity coach for the Dragons. He is also known in the football routs as well as one of the freshman coaches and his kids are in district. DeHart has been successful on Junior Varsity in the last three seasons, including an 18-2 mark with this upcoming senior class. He knows the players well and is well respected by them. Risi was unproven as a varsity coach when he got the job and look what happened there, it could be possible that Reiss moves everyone up like he did with the girls volleyball program when Ross Talbot left for Oxford.
2. Dwayne Graves: The media (MiPrepZone and the Detroit News) will be all over this story if Graves chooses to come home and coach his alumni school. Graves is a 1994 Orion graduate and has had success coaching at Bloomfield Hills Lahser (three seasons) and one and a half seasons at Bloomfield Hills until an ugly incident cost him his job. He brings championship experience as he took the Blackhawks to the State title game in 2013-2014. Graves does have some friends in the school as Bob Brydges his childhood friend is the current Girls Freshman Basketball Coach. Graves would be a huge hire and give Orion creditably right away.
3. Randy Maynard: Maynard brings experience to the fold with his AAU background and was the former Freshman Basketball coach at Orion in 2010-2011. Also remember Maynard has a son in Drew and a daughter in Dawn and they know the basketball background and have had successful basketball careers. Also Maynard knows the players very well as well.
4. Steve Laidlaw: The former Oxford Varsity and current Avondale Junior Varsity coach has had an interest in running the Dragons program. Laidlaw brings varsity experience and has done very well since being forced out of Oxford. He has had success at Avondale as the team's Junior Varsity coach and an assistant under Tim Morton.
5. Al Katolla: Katolla has experience at Oak Park, he has been all over the program from Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman. It could be interesting if he gets the job and if he wants it considering the situation at Oak Park.
6. Jim Manzo: Manzo was a former Dragons player in the 1980's and former Varsity Basketball coach until 2008. He has had successful seasons at Waldon and on the Varsity level as well and he knows the players well since he is in the school everyday as a math teacher. The question will be is will he come back???
7. Jack Lingeman: Lingeman was in the running for the job in 2011 before it went to Risi and he was a good coach at Scripps. It is possible he could make a run at the job.
We'll see what happens with the coaching situation keep updated with the Dragons Den Blog and OAA Now for complete updates.
The Orion Dragons will be looking for their fourth boys basketball coach in seven seasons on Wednesday when coach Tom Risi stepped down Wednesday after suffering a tough 4-16 season in 2014-2015.
Risi led the Dragons to the state quarterfinals in 2012 and gave Orion their first district title in 28 years and first regional title since 1925 in 2012.
Possible Candidates:
With Risi's resignation it means that Orion Athletic Director, Bill Reiss will be looking for a new coach. It wouldn't be surprising at all, that these seven would be in the running for the job. The Orion job is a good job with three middle schools forming one big school. It is possible that Reiss would look elsewhere but these seven coaches do come into mind when looking for the best candidate.
1. Steve DeHart: DeHart is the current Junior Varsity coach for the Dragons. He is also known in the football routs as well as one of the freshman coaches and his kids are in district. DeHart has been successful on Junior Varsity in the last three seasons, including an 18-2 mark with this upcoming senior class. He knows the players well and is well respected by them. Risi was unproven as a varsity coach when he got the job and look what happened there, it could be possible that Reiss moves everyone up like he did with the girls volleyball program when Ross Talbot left for Oxford.
2. Dwayne Graves: The media (MiPrepZone and the Detroit News) will be all over this story if Graves chooses to come home and coach his alumni school. Graves is a 1994 Orion graduate and has had success coaching at Bloomfield Hills Lahser (three seasons) and one and a half seasons at Bloomfield Hills until an ugly incident cost him his job. He brings championship experience as he took the Blackhawks to the State title game in 2013-2014. Graves does have some friends in the school as Bob Brydges his childhood friend is the current Girls Freshman Basketball Coach. Graves would be a huge hire and give Orion creditably right away.
3. Randy Maynard: Maynard brings experience to the fold with his AAU background and was the former Freshman Basketball coach at Orion in 2010-2011. Also remember Maynard has a son in Drew and a daughter in Dawn and they know the basketball background and have had successful basketball careers. Also Maynard knows the players very well as well.
4. Steve Laidlaw: The former Oxford Varsity and current Avondale Junior Varsity coach has had an interest in running the Dragons program. Laidlaw brings varsity experience and has done very well since being forced out of Oxford. He has had success at Avondale as the team's Junior Varsity coach and an assistant under Tim Morton.
5. Al Katolla: Katolla has experience at Oak Park, he has been all over the program from Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman. It could be interesting if he gets the job and if he wants it considering the situation at Oak Park.
6. Jim Manzo: Manzo was a former Dragons player in the 1980's and former Varsity Basketball coach until 2008. He has had successful seasons at Waldon and on the Varsity level as well and he knows the players well since he is in the school everyday as a math teacher. The question will be is will he come back???
7. Jack Lingeman: Lingeman was in the running for the job in 2011 before it went to Risi and he was a good coach at Scripps. It is possible he could make a run at the job.
We'll see what happens with the coaching situation keep updated with the Dragons Den Blog and OAA Now for complete updates.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Dragons Softball Preview.
Written Saturday April 11th. at 1:30 PM
This season's Dragon softball team will be an interesting team to watch from a team that lost to Romeo in the regional final a year ago. This team will still have the offense to score runs and solid pitching to make them a dangerous threat this season for manager Joe Woytira.
What makes this year's team scary is that they only have three seniors on the roster whom won two Red titles and could be in line to make a State title playoff run. The team that could get in the way of that goal is Clarkston as the Wolves are solid, and experienced as well.
Alex Carpenter is a utility player, also a girls basketball player. Carpenter has a lot of speed on the base-paths and is expected to have a solid season. She batted close to 500 and scored 57 runs. Carpenter can steal bases and play anywhere on the field.
Megan Hall at first base also a former girls basketball player has the power and is solid defensively. Hall had a 405 batting average last season.
Carly McGee is a good third baseman and is expected to continue where she left off last season, she had 24 runs batted in and a 458 batting average.
Rachel Dolland is the shortstop. She had a 433 batting average, 36 runs batted in and 39 runs from a season ago. Dolland will be the team's most dangerous hitter this season.
Sophomore Shelby Misiak is expected to do more this season than she did last season. Last season Misiak had a 321 batting average.
Junior pitcher Sierra Gonzales returns and is expected to continue to improve where she left off from a season ago.
If these players along with others contribute and stay healthy than this could be a special season in Orion once again but the question will be is can this team get to the promise land, we'll find out.
This season's Dragon softball team will be an interesting team to watch from a team that lost to Romeo in the regional final a year ago. This team will still have the offense to score runs and solid pitching to make them a dangerous threat this season for manager Joe Woytira.
What makes this year's team scary is that they only have three seniors on the roster whom won two Red titles and could be in line to make a State title playoff run. The team that could get in the way of that goal is Clarkston as the Wolves are solid, and experienced as well.
Alex Carpenter is a utility player, also a girls basketball player. Carpenter has a lot of speed on the base-paths and is expected to have a solid season. She batted close to 500 and scored 57 runs. Carpenter can steal bases and play anywhere on the field.
Megan Hall at first base also a former girls basketball player has the power and is solid defensively. Hall had a 405 batting average last season.
Carly McGee is a good third baseman and is expected to continue where she left off last season, she had 24 runs batted in and a 458 batting average.
Rachel Dolland is the shortstop. She had a 433 batting average, 36 runs batted in and 39 runs from a season ago. Dolland will be the team's most dangerous hitter this season.
Sophomore Shelby Misiak is expected to do more this season than she did last season. Last season Misiak had a 321 batting average.
Junior pitcher Sierra Gonzales returns and is expected to continue to improve where she left off from a season ago.
If these players along with others contribute and stay healthy than this could be a special season in Orion once again but the question will be is can this team get to the promise land, we'll find out.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Dragons Girls Basketball Recap.
Written Friday March 6th, at 1:45 PM
Opportunity's create new dreams. As I see that in the future of the Lake Orion Girls Basketball team.
As the 2014-2015 Girls Basketball season came to a close on Wednesday night when the lady Dragons lost to Rochester Adams 59-37 at home in the district semifinals. I learned a lot from this season, from who returns next season to who this team loses. Orion loses five seniors from this team.
As in the 2013-2014 season this team finished 12-8 before losing to Stoney Creek in the pre district at Clarkston. It was progress from the 4-16 season in 2012-2013.
Evelyn Wischmeyer and Delaney Haan will be the only returners from the 4-16 team coming back next season but a big piece is gone and that is Hannah Hamay.
Hamay missed most of her sophomore season with a shoulder injury and missed some time in her junior season to a concussion but missed one game due to sickness in her senior season. Her leadership, determination, and passion will be missed with this team.
What I learned is still this program has trouble winning the big game, like games they were favored they won, and when they weren't favored they lost. This season, the Dragons beat Bloomfield Hills twice but lost to Troy twice. One bad fourth quarter cost them the Clarkston game and the Lapeer game I thought was poorly officiated but Orion gave that game away. The Adams game proved that they aren't ready for the Red yet. I didn't think Oxford was that good but they had a lot of experience, I mean Jessica Murphy is a good player, her game is pattered to Drew Maynard however I didn't Murphy was as better than Maynard, Bethany Watterworth and the best opponent I saw in my career Jenna Bachrouge.
This team has a bright future and a lot coming back for coach Steve Roberts. However the Freshman and Junior Varsity teams were a combined 38-2 this season but the pieces were built two seasons ago and it is a stepping stone to next season.
It will not surprise me if this team is different next season.
I want to see this program head to Breslin and I think they will be in the future but right now this team and program still has a lot to prove if they want to get to where they want to go.
Opportunity's create new dreams. As I see that in the future of the Lake Orion Girls Basketball team.
As the 2014-2015 Girls Basketball season came to a close on Wednesday night when the lady Dragons lost to Rochester Adams 59-37 at home in the district semifinals. I learned a lot from this season, from who returns next season to who this team loses. Orion loses five seniors from this team.
As in the 2013-2014 season this team finished 12-8 before losing to Stoney Creek in the pre district at Clarkston. It was progress from the 4-16 season in 2012-2013.
Evelyn Wischmeyer and Delaney Haan will be the only returners from the 4-16 team coming back next season but a big piece is gone and that is Hannah Hamay.
Hamay missed most of her sophomore season with a shoulder injury and missed some time in her junior season to a concussion but missed one game due to sickness in her senior season. Her leadership, determination, and passion will be missed with this team.
What I learned is still this program has trouble winning the big game, like games they were favored they won, and when they weren't favored they lost. This season, the Dragons beat Bloomfield Hills twice but lost to Troy twice. One bad fourth quarter cost them the Clarkston game and the Lapeer game I thought was poorly officiated but Orion gave that game away. The Adams game proved that they aren't ready for the Red yet. I didn't think Oxford was that good but they had a lot of experience, I mean Jessica Murphy is a good player, her game is pattered to Drew Maynard however I didn't Murphy was as better than Maynard, Bethany Watterworth and the best opponent I saw in my career Jenna Bachrouge.
This team has a bright future and a lot coming back for coach Steve Roberts. However the Freshman and Junior Varsity teams were a combined 38-2 this season but the pieces were built two seasons ago and it is a stepping stone to next season.
It will not surprise me if this team is different next season.
I want to see this program head to Breslin and I think they will be in the future but right now this team and program still has a lot to prove if they want to get to where they want to go.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Orion Boys Struggling, Problems are Obvious.
Written Tuesday January 13th, at 2:00 PM
When looking at the daunting schedule the Orion Boys Basketball have had, you might have well said, well there is 0-8 right off the bat.
The first eight games were very daunting, having to play Oxford, Clarkston, Southfield, Adams, Lathrup, Stoney Creek, Bloomfield Hills, and Avondale. Later in the season you got Romeo, who is always a solid program in Macomb County.
Then you look at the league and you see Oak Park, Troy, Athens, and Pontiac. You have to play them all twice.
That's the schedule that the Orion Boys Basketball have to deal with.
The Dragons are a young team, lets look at that right there but are having some problems. In the team's four games the Dragons have allowed 65.5 points per game, which is not good. Offensively this team has struggled, only to average 45.5 points per game. Rebounding has also been a huge issue with this team, it has shown that this team has gotten crushed on the boards this season.
Orion lost a lot from last season's team and must do some sole searching. The schedule is no cake walk either and trust is also an issue with this team. When you look at last season's team trust wasn't an issue. This is an area that this team must fix if they want to make a run but coach Tom Risi knows a lot must change if this team wants to make that run.
Hope is not all lost with this team. Leaders must step up and take that role. Good teams have leaders who can take over and have an impact on the game.
Historically if Orion teams have had strong seasons the year prior then they do tend to struggle the next season and lets look at the 2011-2012 season the Dragons went 11-9 on the season but made a run and went to the State Quarterfinals.
The Dragons know what is ahead of them, mentally this schedule will get them stronger but its executing and getting wins that matter the most.
When looking at the daunting schedule the Orion Boys Basketball have had, you might have well said, well there is 0-8 right off the bat.
The first eight games were very daunting, having to play Oxford, Clarkston, Southfield, Adams, Lathrup, Stoney Creek, Bloomfield Hills, and Avondale. Later in the season you got Romeo, who is always a solid program in Macomb County.
Then you look at the league and you see Oak Park, Troy, Athens, and Pontiac. You have to play them all twice.
That's the schedule that the Orion Boys Basketball have to deal with.
The Dragons are a young team, lets look at that right there but are having some problems. In the team's four games the Dragons have allowed 65.5 points per game, which is not good. Offensively this team has struggled, only to average 45.5 points per game. Rebounding has also been a huge issue with this team, it has shown that this team has gotten crushed on the boards this season.
Orion lost a lot from last season's team and must do some sole searching. The schedule is no cake walk either and trust is also an issue with this team. When you look at last season's team trust wasn't an issue. This is an area that this team must fix if they want to make a run but coach Tom Risi knows a lot must change if this team wants to make that run.
Hope is not all lost with this team. Leaders must step up and take that role. Good teams have leaders who can take over and have an impact on the game.
Historically if Orion teams have had strong seasons the year prior then they do tend to struggle the next season and lets look at the 2011-2012 season the Dragons went 11-9 on the season but made a run and went to the State Quarterfinals.
The Dragons know what is ahead of them, mentally this schedule will get them stronger but its executing and getting wins that matter the most.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Opposite Directions
Written Friday January 9th, at 1:15 PM
Heading into the game on Thursday night, the Dragons knew it had a tough challenge with Clarkston's Marquette bound senior Erika Davenport.
Davenport scored 30 points, leading the Wolves to a 48-35 Girls Basketball win over Orion. It was the Dragons first loss of the season.
But also I look at two teams going opposite directions.
Orion has been here before, beating the teams they are suppose to beat and the lose to the teams that are suppose to lose. The Dragons were 12-8 last season but did not get that signature win a season ago.
I thought Orion played well for three quarters but foul trouble was the difference in the game and also Clarkston's defense showed up. They had a strong first half led by Sarah Voss, who had 11 of her 13 points in the second quarter. The Dragons led 23-16 at half.
Clarkston would then outscore Orion 32-12 in the second half but lets look at it from a different perspective.
The game told us that the two programs are going in opposite directions. The Wolves are so dependent on Davenport to carry them in games, which could be a huge problem if she gets shut down especially in league play. The Dragons are more balanced whether it's Hannah Hamay, Evelyn Wischmeyer, Delaney Haan, Cheyenne Lada-Sterling, Blair Stewart, or Sarah Voss carrying the load. Clarkston plays in the Red, Orion is in the White.
But it may not be long when Orion rejoins Clarkston in the Red.
In the Junior Varsity contest, the Dragons won 33-18. Despite the fact that Orion had a size mismatch against the much taller Wolves, the Dragons were balanced, they were the aggressive team and showed it on both sides of the floor. There was times that Clarkston's coach said that his team was scared of the Dragons and that was shocking to see. Got to give credit Orion coach Kevin Kopec and Courtney Kimmel, they had this team prepared for Clarkston.
In the Freshman contest, the words domination is an understatement. The Dragons dominated the Wolves 40-8 and led 28-2 at half. Orion had balanced scoring on the night and its a credit to coach Bob Brydges who returns back to the bench and has had successful coaching career at Bloomfield Hills Lahser along with his team.
The three games in Clarkston show two different programs going two different directions. One going up and one going down. Although it might not show this year, the games showed the direction both teams are going.
Heading into the game on Thursday night, the Dragons knew it had a tough challenge with Clarkston's Marquette bound senior Erika Davenport.
Davenport scored 30 points, leading the Wolves to a 48-35 Girls Basketball win over Orion. It was the Dragons first loss of the season.
But also I look at two teams going opposite directions.
Orion has been here before, beating the teams they are suppose to beat and the lose to the teams that are suppose to lose. The Dragons were 12-8 last season but did not get that signature win a season ago.
I thought Orion played well for three quarters but foul trouble was the difference in the game and also Clarkston's defense showed up. They had a strong first half led by Sarah Voss, who had 11 of her 13 points in the second quarter. The Dragons led 23-16 at half.
Clarkston would then outscore Orion 32-12 in the second half but lets look at it from a different perspective.
The game told us that the two programs are going in opposite directions. The Wolves are so dependent on Davenport to carry them in games, which could be a huge problem if she gets shut down especially in league play. The Dragons are more balanced whether it's Hannah Hamay, Evelyn Wischmeyer, Delaney Haan, Cheyenne Lada-Sterling, Blair Stewart, or Sarah Voss carrying the load. Clarkston plays in the Red, Orion is in the White.
But it may not be long when Orion rejoins Clarkston in the Red.
In the Junior Varsity contest, the Dragons won 33-18. Despite the fact that Orion had a size mismatch against the much taller Wolves, the Dragons were balanced, they were the aggressive team and showed it on both sides of the floor. There was times that Clarkston's coach said that his team was scared of the Dragons and that was shocking to see. Got to give credit Orion coach Kevin Kopec and Courtney Kimmel, they had this team prepared for Clarkston.
In the Freshman contest, the words domination is an understatement. The Dragons dominated the Wolves 40-8 and led 28-2 at half. Orion had balanced scoring on the night and its a credit to coach Bob Brydges who returns back to the bench and has had successful coaching career at Bloomfield Hills Lahser along with his team.
The three games in Clarkston show two different programs going two different directions. One going up and one going down. Although it might not show this year, the games showed the direction both teams are going.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Dragons Update.
Written Sunday January 4th, at 12:15 AM
Happy New Year to all of Orion,
The Dragons Girls Basketball team is off to a 4-0 start and have relied on Hannah Hamay and Evelyn Wischmeyer to carry the team so far and they might have to do so again. The schedule is going to get tough after the Farmington game as Orion will play Clarkston, Adams, and Seaholm and in between they will open up league play against Avondale. I believe that the Dragons will be tested against Clarkston and Adams and will see what they are made of and expect Orion to be in the league race all season long.
The Dragons wrestling team took tenth place in Oakland County a few weeks ago but there is high expectations for first year coach Jeff Smart. Smart who is an assistant coach with the Orion Junior Varsity Football team and has a deep crew this season. Orion dropped down a division from the Red to the White. The White is manageable but will have teams like West Bloomfield, Pontiac, and Southfield to deal with this season.
The Dragons Boys Basketball team is off to a tough 0-2 start to start the season. The schedule is brutal though with Orion having to play Oxford, Adams, Clarkston, Southfield, Lathrup, Bloomfield Hills, and Stoney Creek early and that's not league play yet. The Dragons backcourt is solid led by Joe Turnbull and Elmalik Martin. Expect the Dragons boys to be tested mentally during the season.
Nothing much on Cheerleading, Bowling, and Power-lifting. Enjoy 2015 folks in Dragons Country.
Happy New Year to all of Orion,
The Dragons Girls Basketball team is off to a 4-0 start and have relied on Hannah Hamay and Evelyn Wischmeyer to carry the team so far and they might have to do so again. The schedule is going to get tough after the Farmington game as Orion will play Clarkston, Adams, and Seaholm and in between they will open up league play against Avondale. I believe that the Dragons will be tested against Clarkston and Adams and will see what they are made of and expect Orion to be in the league race all season long.
The Dragons wrestling team took tenth place in Oakland County a few weeks ago but there is high expectations for first year coach Jeff Smart. Smart who is an assistant coach with the Orion Junior Varsity Football team and has a deep crew this season. Orion dropped down a division from the Red to the White. The White is manageable but will have teams like West Bloomfield, Pontiac, and Southfield to deal with this season.
The Dragons Boys Basketball team is off to a tough 0-2 start to start the season. The schedule is brutal though with Orion having to play Oxford, Adams, Clarkston, Southfield, Lathrup, Bloomfield Hills, and Stoney Creek early and that's not league play yet. The Dragons backcourt is solid led by Joe Turnbull and Elmalik Martin. Expect the Dragons boys to be tested mentally during the season.
Nothing much on Cheerleading, Bowling, and Power-lifting. Enjoy 2015 folks in Dragons Country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
