Lake Oconee Academy got its second region victory of the season last week with a win over Aquinas.
The Titans routed the Fighting Irish 58-31 on Saturday and snapped a four-game losing skid.
Lake Oconee Academy head coach Josiah Rechenbach acknowledged that he feels as if his team has taken a turn for the better since returning from a holiday tournament in Tennessee last month.
“Ever since coming back from Tennessee, I’m feeling good about the direction my guys are headed in,” Rechenbach said. “Lately, in the last two weeks, they’ve answered the question of if we can play to the standard that we have set for them. But now it’s about if they will do it consistently. Over the last two to three weeks, our guys are starting to click and the pieces are starting to fit together.”
While Lake Oconee Academy went 1-3 on the trip to Tennessee, the team bonded. The Titans returned to face Warren County, falling 66-45 to the Screaming Devils on Jan 5. They then lost to Greene County the following day, although after a full week off, they knocked off Aquinas on Jan. 13.
“A couple of our guys are playing their best individual games, which is great,” Rechenbach added. “When you’ve got a few guys playing like that, and the pieces are fitting together, you can accomplish some cool things. So, at this point in the season, we’re worried about getting better.”
Lake Oconee Academy sophomore James Wright shined in the win over the Fighting Irish. He finished with a team-high 16 points and eight assists. He had five rebounds and had five steals as well.
Wright proved why he was the Titans’ floor general that night. He controlled the tempo of the game and directed the LOA offense in such a manner that made it hard for Aquinas’ defense to stop.
“From the point guard position, you can’t ask for much more than that,” Rechenbach said of Wright’s performance. “And he’s leading us in charges taken, so his development has been huge for us.”
However, against Aquinas, Wright wasn’t the only player that had a productive game. Freshman Jaden Hillsman had a career game, registering his first-ever double-double with 16 points and 14 boards.
Junior Torrin Maddox was firing on all cylinders, connecting on five 3-pointers, and ending up with 15 points.
“When guys are playing at that level, it all starts on the defensive end. Our defense was really strong that night, specifically in the first half versus Aquinas,” Rechenbach said. “I’m pleased with the direction we’re headed in, but I am hoping that we continue to stay hungry and keep fighting.”
Lake Oconee Academy (4-10, 2-3 Class A Division II Region 8) dropped a game by Washington-Wilkes on Tuesday. The Titans return to action this Friday at home against Warren County.