By Jim Newell
Managing Editor
ORION TWP. — The Lake Orion varsity girls basketball team has had an up-and-down season, beginning with a 7-0 start.
The team them lost six in a row.
But head coach Bob Brydges always felt his team had talent, determination and heart.
“It’s tough to be where we’re at after we started 7-0. A six-game slide – I’ve never had that in the six years that I’ve been the varsity coach here. The longest losing streak we ever had was three games, ever, and that was my very first year here. So, we haven’t gone through this before so this is tougher but at the same time, it gives you a chance to take a step back, re-balance and try and figure out where you’re going from that,” said Brydges afer the six-game losing streak.
Lake Orion won six of their last seven games dating back to Feb. 13, a strong finish to the end of season. That streak included five consecutive victories over tough Oakland Activities Association opponents Clarkston, Oxford and Rochester high schools.
The Dragons finished the regular season on Friday with a 67-44 win over Avondale High School.
That win came after a tough 45-43 loss to Stoney Creek on Feb. 27.
Now, the team looks to make a run in districts beginning with the MHSAA District 29 seminfinal against Waterford Kettering (4-18) at 7 p.m. March 6 at Waterford Mott High School.
“Did we expect to win the OAA Red? No, we did not. Do we expect to contend in districts? Yes, we do. That goal is still there,’ Brydges said. “Both Waterford schools, Mott and Kettering, have already lost to an opponent that we beat by 35, so, we feel good about that. My expectation is that we’re playing that Friday night for a district championship against Clarkston at Waterford Mott High School.”
The Dragons finished the regular season 14-8 and are favored to win against Kettering.
Clarkston (16-6) plays Waterford Mott (9-13) in the other district semifinal.
Lake Orion previously beat Clarkston 49-48 at home on Feb. 13.
The winners of each semifinal move on to the district championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Waterford Mott High School.