Lions first-year coach Brett Stewart said Oren is critical of herself to perform well, which can be a good thing.
“If she knows if something isn’t going well, she corrects it very quickly,” Stewart said. “She gets this drive just to take over. She plays very aggressive. She doesn’t let anyone push her around.”
Oren comes from a basketball family. Her brother, Justin, was a star player on the Lions’ boys team.
“We would always go to the gym and I’d rebound for him,” Oren said. “He’d always let me shoot when he was done. He’s always helping me after games.”
She’s been the Lions’ leader since she stepped onto the floor at Emmanuel. She averaged 18.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season and averaged 16.8 PPG as a freshman. Through three games this season, Oren is averaging 27 PPG.
“She’s starting to get more and more confidence,” Stewart said.
Although her jump shot is improving, Oren’s ability to penetrate is her main weapon on the floor.
“If my shots aren’t going in, I just try to take it to the hole,” Oren said.
“She takes things into her own hands and she’s able to create off the dribble,” Stewart said.
The Lions (1-2 overall) take on Dayton Christian in their first-ever Metro Buckeye Conference girls basketball game Thursday, Dec. 10. Oren was a starter on the Lions’ MBC champion volleyball squad this fall. She’s hoping to have the same kind of success this winter.
“Our team is doing really well, especially with new coaches,” Oren said. “We work hard in practice every day, so hopefully it will be a good season.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.
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