Steve Robert’s prediction came true.
Earlier this season, the girls? basketball head coach said games were going to be close ? within a 10-point margin ? and his team’s record would be prove of a successful season. And he was right.
‘The team had the competitive spirit and the desire to win, not letting a loss destroy them,? he said. ‘We actually had eight losses but those losses were to four teams and three of those losses were in the last five seconds.?
Except for a few games where the Lady Dragons stomped all over their competitors, most final scores within 10 points, and only a couple within 12.
‘One thing that the girls accomplished was that they improved every day, every single game. Each time we played a team the second time around, we had improved scores.?
Lady Dragon’s 12-8 regular season record came with a district title, when the girls beat Stoney Creek, 54-48, March 5. For the first time in the history of the program, the team won back-to-back championships, according to Roberts.
‘We played them earlier in the year and made some adjustments to shut out their leading scorer,? said Roberts of the title game. ‘We played a combination of zone and man-to-man defense to stop their offense. Their offense is a dribble-drive-kick-shoot kind of offense. Having our defenders stay with their offensive players reduces the risk that they’re open to take shots.?
In Lake Orion’s 38-year girls? basketball program, Lady Dragons have taken the district title only three times with all three happening in the last four years.
‘If you look at [this team’s] graduating class, they were part of the program for the last four years,? said Roberts. ‘Most seasons you start all over again [with players]. Coming in it was hard to repeat what we had the previous year, but when you compare this year to many of our other years, it’s quite an accomplishment.?
After winning the district crown, the Lady Dragon’s post season was ended in a game against Birmingham Marion ? second on the state ? during regional semi-finals.
Though the final score was 56-38, Roberts said it would have been another 10-point margin, had it not been for Birmingham’s quick 23-8 lead in the first quarter.
‘Their [lead scorer] was open and hitting shots,? He said.’Going against a highly talented team like that and being behind was a tall task to overcome. Our kids stayed right with them, hung in there. At one time we cut the score by 14. Take out the 23-8 start and it was a pretty competitive game.?
Lady Dragons were led in scoring by Alexis Haan’s 12 points. Jackie Hood added 11 points, and Marisa Secontine scored six.
The team finished the season with a 15-9 record.
Haan, who never missed a game and tied the school record for most career games with 72, won the team’s Iron Dragon award. She was also the free throw champion at 65 percent.
Haan and Hood were named all-league for the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) red division. Hood took the team’s Three-A award ? athleticism, academics and attitude ? with a 3.7 GPA. She was also the team’s rebounding champ with 7.1 per game.
Maddi Gagen won a Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan award with highest three-point shooting average in the state, at 47 percent.
Abby Richards took the team’s Player Award for being a teammate who looks out for fellow teammates more than herself.
Kara Menzie was the Dragon award winner, showing qualities of being a Dragon, working hard, being a team player and having a great attitude.
Sydney Bryce took the Sportsmanship award. And Marissa Secontine, who Roberts called a ‘big difference-maker this year, was named Most Improved.