Orr clinch share of Red North-West with win over Lane

Orr is no stranger to overcoming adversity.

After starting the season 3-3, the Spartans now sit at 15-7, are on a six game win streak. and have returned to the form that makes them one of the top teams in class 2A.

Friday evenings 72-53 win over Lane was the latest in the string of victories, and despite the seemingly lopsided scoreline, Orr had to overcome an injury to star guard Sherif Kenney, to take down a tough Indians squad.

“It’s been tough for us with a lot of injuries but we’re headed in the right direction,” said Orr head coach Lou Adams. “We caught steam late so hopefully we keep it going.”

Before leaving with an injury midway through the third quarter, Orr ran their offense entirely through Kenney.

Although the senior only finished with with eight points, he made an impact in other areas of the game distributing the ball extremely well to the tune of four assists, while also grabbing four rebounds.

“We pulled it together we rely on Kenney so much,” said Adams. “It hurt us a little bit but it helped us too, trying to find the identity of the rest of the team. Losing Kenedy tonight was big but we played well.”

Orr would build up a double digit lead early in the third quarter before Lane began to make a run.

Utilizing tremendous vision from the high post, senior Vuk Djuric (12 points, five assists) found Johnny Colombo (16 points, two blocks) for back to back three pointers to bring the Indians within four.

“It’s a tremendous atmosphere,” said Adams in reference to playing at Lane. “It’s (Lane’s program) built already, not building. It’s like Cameron Indoor.”

The two teams battled back and forth for awhile, until Coach Adams put post Greg Outlaw on the ball.

Outlaw forced Lane’s guards into uncomfortable situations and forced Lane’s guards into turnovers on numerous occasions.

The defensive adjustment also led to some easy run outs for Outlaw who finished with a team high 16 points.

“He’s probably one of the strongest players in the post, but he can shoot it well, and has good footwork too,” said Adams.

Lane would never within single digits for the rest of the contest, as foul trouble and frustration cause Orr to run away with the game in the fourth quarter.

Orr will finish up the conference slate next Wednesday with a West Side matchup vs. Marshall. Lane will travel to Whitney Young to see if they have some magic left in this season before playing in the Public League playoffs.