It’s been a tough week for the Lake Orion boys varsity basketball, losing three games in four nights last week before heading into the final week of the regular season.
Linden dominated the Dragons on Feb. 21, then the next night Lake Orion lost a heartbreaker to Birmingham Groves Feb. 22 after taking the lead late in the third quarter.
On Friday, Lake Orion trailed visiting Birmingham Groves 21-11 at halftime, a half in which the ball simply didn’t go in the basket, said Coach Jim Manzo.
The Dragons record now stands at 4-14.
Lake Orion headed into the final week of the regular season this week with tough games against Birmingham Seaholm on Tuesday after press time, and conclude the regular season with Senior Night at home against Rochester, 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Against the Birmingham Groves Falcons, the Dragons would storm back and eventually take a 2-point lead early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons responded and pulled out a 6-point victory, 46-40, putting them in a three-way tie for first place in the division.
“The Dragons were led by junior guard Jamie Lewis, who scored 14 points. Sophomore forward Hunter Sites continued his fine play, adding 11 points, while senior guard Steve Zmijewski turned in another gutty performance chipping in with 10 points,” Manzo said.
The Dragons now head to the final week of the regular season, traveling to Seaholm on Tuesday before wrapping up at home on Senior Night versus Rochester on Thursday.
On Feb. 22, playing their second game in as many nights, the Dragons found themselves down 10 points late in the first half against the Ravens of Royal Oak.
The green and white would end the first half on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to just two points at halftime, Manzo said.
Lake Orion would eventually take a one point lead late in the 3rd quarter before Royal Oak responded with three straight 3-pointers and would hang on for a 9-point victory. The Dragons had a chance to end the Ravens 9-game winning streak but came up just a bit short.

Lake Orion was led by Jamie Lewis, who scored 11 points. Steve Zmijewski added 9 points and freshman guard Jack Cummins chipped in with 6 points.
Linden dominated Lake Orion on Feb. 21, scoring 40 points in the first half en route to a 71-57 victory.
Linden would hit eight three point baskets for the game, six coming in the first half and seemed to have an answer each time the Dragons mounted a comeback, Manzo said.
The green and white were led by Jamie Lewis, who scored a game high 27 points. Hunter Sites added 10 points in the loss.
– Jim Newell