By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
AVON PARK - For most, it's not the best way to get your season, nor coaching tenure, started.
For first-year Lake Placid basketball coach John Million, Friday's 86-27 loss to Orlando's The First Academy in the opener of the Avon Park Tip-Off Classic, had its' positives.
"We knew it would be tough and we were a little outmanned," he said. "But I saw some good things. The kids kept hustling and playing hard right through to the end, which, with this type of game, is sometimes hard to do."
That they did, and showed a determination that will serve them well throughout the season, as well as some good shooting and overall team quickness.
It just wasn't as evident against a team of the class of the Royals, ranked 18th in the state entering the season.
"But that's okay, facing a team like that right off the bat," Million said. "It really shows the kids the level the have to play at, the hard work they need to do to be competitive."
That, and the team can take solace in the fact that things will be a lot more evenly matched as the season continues.
The Dragons welcome that next step Monday with a road date at LaBelle, before enjoying the rest of the Thanksgiving break and facing DeSoto at home Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Sunday, November 18, 2012 - www.newssun.com/SUN-11-18-12-LPBB