GIRLS BASKETBALL: Lake Orion Baptist finally breaks through with first MACS Division I state championship
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
SAGINAW — A streak ended on Saturday and perhaps a new tradition began at the same time.
Lake Orion Baptist ended Midland Calvary Baptist’s reign as the four-time defending Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state champions in girls basketball.
And it took a late rally to pull off the upset.
The third-seeded Lions captured their first-ever state title in the sport Saturday night by rallying for a 35-33 victory over the top-seeded Kings in the MACS Division I state championship game at Saginaw Swan Valley High School.
“We finally did it,” beamed veteran Lake Orion Baptist coach Janet Noruk, who started the Lions’ program in the fall of 2002 when the school opened its doors. “We worked so hard and never gave up. We knew we could compete with them. It was an amazing comeback.”
Lake Orion Baptist captured its first Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state championship with a 35-33 victory over Midland Calvary Baptist. Donated Photo | Jon Brundage
Lake Orion Baptist (12-6) finished as the MACS Division I state runner-up in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and then lost to Midland Calvary Baptist in last year’s title game, 59-50.The Lions have also reached the state semifinals several other times over in the 17-year span.
Senior guard Lauren Brundage drilled two three-pointers and senior guard Keegan Cameron hit three late free throws — all in the final 2:37 — for Lake Orion Baptist, which outscored the Kings 10-4 in the fourth quarter.
It ended a dominating run by Midland Calvary Baptist, which had won four straight MACS-I state titles in girls basketball, girls volleyball and girls soccer — a complete stronghold on girls sports in the governing body’s state tournaments for small Christian schools.
Lake Orion Baptist senior guard Lauren Brundage lets this three-point attempt fly during Saturday’s MACS Division I state finals. Donated Photo | Jon Brundage
“It was the little school beating the big school,” noted Noruk. “Here we are a small school with 29 high school students going against a school that is much, much larger than we are and we found a way to beat them. That’s a testament to the girls and how hard they work and how they competed.”
Midland Calvary Baptist (12-7) took its largest lead at 29-22 with 3:01 to go in the third quarter and looked to pull away. The Lions pulled to within four at 29-25 at the end of the third quarter, setting the stage for the comeback.
Calvary Baptist sophomore guard Caroline Holdeman converted a lay-up to put the Kings up 31-26 with 3:59 to go. The Lions outscored Calvary Baptist 9-2 after that point.
Brundage, who finished with 13 points on the strength of four three-pointers, hit her third trey of the night with 2:37 left in the fourth to pull the Lions to within 31-29. She nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 2:02 remaining.
Senior guard Keegan Cameron led Lake Orion Baptist with a game-high 16 points in a 35-33 win over Midland Calvary Baptist. Donated photo | Jon Brundage
Cameron had 12 points and 11 rebounds by the half, but was held in check with four three throws in the second half. Her final three points came from the charity stripe inside the final minute of play to seal the deal.
The four-time All-Wolverine Christian Conference Red Division selection and unanimous League MVP in the regular season this winter set the career scoring mark at Lake Orion Baptist over the past four years with more than 1,300 points. The 5-foot-8 Cameron finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds in her encore performance.
“She’s such a strong player, definitely our go to player. But this was a complete team win,” said Noruk. “I think the defensive job that Emily Brindisi did on their (post) player Bailee (Hunger) was great. She didn’t let her take the ball inside. Her six points were in the second quarter and she did a great job fronting her and not letting her score inside. Her points were all from near the free throw line. Our team defense was great in this game. We never really let them pull away and we shut them down in the fourth quarter.
“Our senior leadership this season was amazing. Our four seniors always set the tone with their work in practice and leading us in games,” continued Noruk. “I couldn’t be more happier, especially for the seniors. We kept getting better and better each year and to finally win a state title is a great accomplishment. We’ve been close a few times.”
Keegan Cameron preps for a 3-point attempt during Saturday’s state finals. Donated Photo | Jon Brundage
Midland Calvary led just 11-10 after the first quarter and 18-17 at the half. Caroline Holdeman finished with nine points and five rebounds, Vivian Befus and Cassidy Holdeman both scored eight points and Hunger scored six with 19 rebounds for the Kings.
Lake Orion Baptist girls basketball coach Janet Noruk celebrates by clipping the nets following the school’s MACS Division I state championship. Donated Photo | Jon Brundage
In the state semifinals on Feb. 28, Cameron scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, five steals and three assists in leading the Lions to a 54-50 upset of second-seeded Davison Faith Baptist.
Wolverine Christian Conference champion Faith Baptist swept Lake Orion Baptist in the regular season. In the postseason, the Lions gained their measure of revenge.
Brundage chipped in with 13 points, Jessie Noruk and Emily Brindisi both added nine points and Gabrielle Strunk scored six for Lake Orion Baptist.
Anna Ahrens scored 15 for Faith Baptist.
Trailing 29-22 at the half, Lake Orion Baptist went on a 21-9 run in the third quarter the take a 43-38 advantage into the fourth period. Faith Baptist held a 12-11 edge in the fourth quarter, but the Lions stalled out plenty of the final minute to hold onto the lead.
Mad rush: Members of Lake Orion Baptist’s girls basketball raise the trophy high after claiming the MACS Division I state title. Donated Photo | Jon Brundage.
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