Inside play dooms Our Lady in loss to Oakland Christian

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes fell last week in a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) district final to Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 56-39, at Clarkston Everest Collegiate.

The Lakers (14-8) lost by two to Oakland Christian back on Dec. 6, 2010, to open the season, and trailed 9-8 after the first quarter last Friday before being outscored by Oakland Christian, 15-5, in the second quarter. Our Lady trailed 24-13 at halftime, a deficit they were never able to erase.

“(Oakland Christian) shot 20 free throws, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and we shot 11 free throws in the game,” Our Lady Head Coach Sean Wightman said.

“They won in the paint and they have a lot of talent.”

Oakland Christian’s (21-1) win last Friday marked its fourth straight district title.

Austin Karbowski finished with 14 points for Our Lady while Garrett Ross had 12.

Prior to the district final, the Lakers defeated the Frankel Jewish Academy of West Bloomfield, 33-27.

The Lakers led 13-10 after the first quarter before taking a 17-16 halftime lead. The Lakers then took a 24-22 lead in the third quarter before going on an 8-5 run in the fourth.

Karbowski finished with 11 points.

“We knew it would be a tough game,” Wightman said. “(Frankel) plays a control, slow-pace game and they’re patient.”

The Lakers will graduate Karbowski, R.J. Buelter and Jared Ritch this spring after winning the Catholic League Intersectional Division title this season in Wightman’s second year as head coach.

“We’ll lose four seniors, but we have experienced players,” Wightman said. “If they work hard during the summer and do what’s asked of them, we should be competitive.”