BOYS BASKETBALL: Fast start propels Rochester Hills Christian past Lake Orion Baptist in MACS state tournament
BY DAN STICKRADT
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ROCHESTER HILLS — Even as the top-ranked school in the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I circles, Rochester Hills Christian still showed its youth sometimes.
Fortunately for the Eagles, talent can usually overcome mistakes.
Rochester Hills Christian had its fair share of mental mistakes Friday in its MACS D-I second round contest, but the Eagles still rolled to a convincing 56-31 triumph over Lake Orion Baptist in a game played at Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
Rochester Hills (23-4) committed a season-high 20 turnovers and shot just 35.9 from the floor (24-for-67) without the services of a single three-pointer (0-for-12), but the sweltering Eagles defense was too much for Lake Orion Baptist (8-8) to overcome.
“We’re not using it as an excuse, but we are still young and young teams make mistakes,” offered Rochester Hills Christian veteran coach Jon Bronsing. “We usually play a lot better on the offensive end. But we played great defense with our start. We built the big lead and then we came out flat in the second half and only scored 16. That’s not how we play. We’ve had games where we’ve scored in the 80s and 90s. I am pleased with the way we started the game.”
Rochester Hills Christian closed the first quarter on a 14-1 run and led 21-5 at the end of the first period. The Eagles led by as many as 29 points (38-9) with 1:37 left in the second quarter on a free throw by sophomore point guard Kaloh Holmes.
The 6-foot-2 Holmes was held to just five points — 20 below his average — but still dished out 10 assists with nine rebounds and three steals for RHC.
Four Eagles scored in double figures, with 6-6 junior center Alex Coury collecting 12 points and 12 rebounds, junior guard Adam Patton contributing 12 points, 11 rebounds and six steals, freshman guard Devin Barrack chipped in with 11 points and seven boards, and senior forward Steven Taylor added 10 points for Rochester Hills Christian.
“We’ll have to play much better in our next game,” said Bronsing. “But I think when we play with focus for four quarters, we’re tough to beat. Kaloh had an off night offensively, but he gets everybody involved. He’s had a great season. But it’s a tribute to all of the players when your leading scorer is held to only five but we still win by over 20.”
Lake Orion Baptist turned the ball over a season-high 29 times and finished the night a chilly 12-for-50 (24 percent) from the floor.
Senior forward Mike Spezak finished with eight points and eight rebounds for the Lions, who held a 19-16 scoring edge in the second half. Junior forward Paul Slezak added eight rebounds and three blocks, while junior guard Bradley Browne six points and six rebounds.
“This wasn’t us. Were normally more competitive than this,” sighed Lake Orion Baptist coach Tom Rowe. “We’re usually the ones that get after it (defensively) and hit shots. We got off to that slow start. We made some adjustments (in the second half) but it was too late.”
The Eagles will play Davison Faith Baptist in the third round of the MACS Division I tournament on Feb. 23 at Vassar Juanita Christian.
“We’ll be ready and I’m sure we’ll be more focused for that game,” added Bronsing.
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