By Megan Kelley

Review Writer

The Lake Orion Field House was packed to the rafters for the annual Special Olympics basketball game on Friday.

Students filled the bleachers to cheer on their fellow Dragons as they took on the Oxford Paws team.

Lake Orion was looking to keep their winning streak alive after beating the Paws 31-28 on Oxford’s court Feb. 22.

Among the many Dragon supporters were Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, Director of Special Education at the Pine Tree Center Julie Gutman, LOCS School Board President Birgit McQuiston and LOCS superintendent Marion Ginopolis.

“It’s incredible, I never miss this,” said Ginopolis who showed her Dragon spirit by wearing a ‘Queen of the Dragons’ shirt.

Senior Jason Donaven performed the national anthem before LOHS teachers Jim Manzo and Kevin Kopec, the referees for the matchup, signaled the beginning of the game.

Oxford won the tipoff and quickly scored the first few baskets, putting Lake Orion behind after the first quarter.

The Dragons stepped up their game in the second quarter scoring a few more baskets and closing the gap.

Halftime brought some extra fun with LOHS faculty participating in bubble soccer. Teams of four competed to score a goal while knocking each other over to gain control.

In a red versus yellow match up, the red team was able to score an unlikely goal to take the win over the yellow team and seasoned vet Donald McLaughlin.

The excitement was turned back yet again to the main event, the basketball game.

The third quarter was a turning point for Lake Orion. The team amped up the defensive pressure while the Dragons’ Dashawn Gallimore sunk several three pointers in a row helping the Dragons to pull away from the Paws team.

Going into the fourth quarter, Lake Orion was up 26-14 and there was no looking back.

As time ticked down, it was clear the Dragons would maintain their streak against the Paws.

At the final buzzer, Lake Orion’s athletes rushed onto the floor to celebrate their 32-20 win.

“I think we played good,” said Lake Orion player Jessica Loxley-Smith. “We played two games. One at Oxford and one here and we won both!”

The Special Olympics basketball game is an annual event put on by Lake Orion’s Leadership class to kick off charity week.

This year, money raised during the week will go to Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Throughout the week of March 18 students will be able participate in a number of themed dress days, as well as have the chance to donate to Leader Dogs for the Blind during the week, starting with $1 Lucky Charms cereal breakfasts on Monday and ending with Lunch Raffles on Friday.