Wednesday’s preps: Quinn Robak’s big game lifts shorthanded Waterford Lakes to victory

Sometimes a basketball season is all about survival.

Waterford Lakes girls coach Steve Robak learned that lesson again during a 49-42 win at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep on Wednesday night.

“The biggest thing we’re facing right now is injuries,” Robak said. “We’ve got two starters out and two other contributors in (walking) boots. Depending on the day, we’re missing four or five girls.”

The missing include junior shooting guard Brooklyn Robak, Steve Robak’s niece and last season’s leading scorer.

Against Notre Dame (1-4), Robak’s daughter, Quinn, did her best to replace Brooklyn’s scoring, leading Lakes with 34 points.

“Quinn was getting to the basket early and getting to the free-throw line,” Steve Robak said. “We were up 19 at half, but they shadowed her in the third quarter and we entered the fourth with only a three-point lead. She scored 11 in the fourth when we really needed it. We had to put the ball in her hands, and she delivered.”

Lakes (3-3) couldn’t stop Justina Gaynor, who led Notre Dame with 20 points. Plus, several Lakes players were in danger of fouling out. An injury to Lakes wing Isabelle Kline in the third quarter further endangered the lead. Kline returned in the fourth and finished with 10 points.

“She (Kline) is one of our seniors and she knocked down a couple big threes,” Robak said. “All night we were trying to keep the ball in her and Quinn’s hands because we had a crew on the floor that just hadn’t had a lot of playing time.”

But relief is on the horizon for Robak. Brooklyn Robak is almost recovered from her concussion and the plan is for her to start practicing next week with a possible return to games in January along with the other missing starter, Lexi Koenig.

“Quinn’s (big) games are nice, but we’d like to be a lot more balanced in our offense,” Robak said.

Lakes’s next opportunity to achieve that balance will come on Jan. 6 when it begins Catholic League play at home against Madison Heights Bishop Foley (3-2), which finished second in its division last season behind Lakes.

Late surge pushes Shrine past WOLL in Catholic League opener

SHRINE 51, OUR LADY OF THE LAKES 46

For Our Lady of the Lakes (1-2), Ross posted a game-high 23 points, while senior Patrick Morgan added 12.

“Ross is an outstanding player for them. He’s one of the best players in the Catholic League,” [Knights coach Jim] Skaggs said.

Prep Roundup: Waterford Our Lady runs past Clawson

WATERFORD OUR LADY 48, CLAWSON 36

The Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes girls basketball team earned a 48-36 win at home over Clawson on Monday evening.

Quinn Robak scored 25 points to lead the Lakers in the victory while Isabelle Kline scored 16.

Monday, December 16

3:30pm – Varsity Coed Bowling @ Cabrini
7:00pm –  Varsity Girls Basketball vs Clawson

Tuesday, December 17

5:30pm –  JV Boys Basketball @ Shrine
7:00pm –  Varsity Boys Basketball @ Shrine

Wednesday, December 18

5:30pm –  Varsity Girls Basketball @ Notre Dame Prep

Thursday, December 19

2:45pm –  Varsity Coed Bowling @ Austin Catholic

Saturday, December 21

11:00am –  CYO 5/6 Boys #2 basketball verses Refuge
11:00am –  CYO 7/8 Boys basketball verses Refuge
12:00pm – CYO 5/6 Boys #1 basketball verses Refuge
12:15pm – CYO 7/8 Girls Basketball verses St Mary MC

Educating students in grades PreK through 12 for over 60 years, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School provides an educational experience grounded in Catholic Tradition, personal discipline and academic excellence. We offer small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios in a safe and secure family-oriented community. Weekly Mass complements a fully integrated one-to-one iPad program, championship athletics, K-12 robotics program, before and after school care, and much more!