Bobcats’ Orr a model of hard work (03-01-11)

Chauncey Orr has the ability to make things appear easy on the basketball floor.
But what’s gotten the Bowling Green High School senior to where he is now has been nothing short of hard
work.
Orr has gone from being a shy move-in and admittedly out of shape as a freshman, to becoming the Bobcats’
all-time leading scorer, helping lead BG to a 17-3 record this season and its second ever Northern Lakes
League title.
"I think in my freshman year I was so out of shape. I went through injuries and it was just a tough
year for me," said Orr, who at age 17 is a year young for his grade. "I just told myself after
that year that I’ve got to work to get better.
"I think these past couple years, us as seniors have grown and we’ve just stuck together. I think
that’s what made us successful … We’ve just stuck together and worked hard to get to this point where
we’re at."
The son of BGSU head coach and former NBA player Louis Orr, expectations have been high since Orr first
moved to BG from New Jersey before his freshman year.
"I had already taken my test to get into Seton Hall Prep (in New Jersey)," Orr said. "I
was like, ‘Wow. We’re making this move?’ My dad explained to me that God was going to bring us through.
I just listened to him and I knew wherever we moved my family was always supportive of me. So they
helped me get through it.
"When I met (BGHS head coach Von Graffin) I saw that he was a pretty cool guy, so that perked my
interest to come here too," he added. "It was a tough move … But I think I got through it
because of my teammates. They helped me get through it and accepted me."
Orr has steadily left his mark on the program, a career that won’t soon be forgotten by fans of Bobcat
basketball. The results Orr have put up individually are hard to ignore, and the 6-foot-4 wing has done
a bit of everything for the BG.
He surpassed Josh Almanson as the school’s all-time leading scorer at the beginning of this season and
now has 1,382 points in 82 career games, an average of 16.9 points per game. He’s a two-time first-team
All-NLL selection and was an honorable mention All-Ohio pick last season.
Also a quality ball-handler, Orr is shooting 83 percent from the free-throw line and averaging 6.9
rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season.
"The greatest thing that Chauncey brings to the floor is he’s so versatile," Graffin said.
"He can score on your 6-8 post player. He can shoot over your 5-10 guard on the outside. His
versatility, his ability to do so many different things, makes him that much stronger than others.
"He’s so well-rounded and he’s a joy to have," Graffin added. "Being around the BGSU
program, I think he’s seen how hard young men have to work … He knows what he needs to get done and
he’s in the process of doing that."
Orr is a part of a Bobcat senior class that has grown as a group since entering high school. Along with
BG’s five other seniors – Alex Augsburger, Max Beattie, Xavier Brown, Kurt Fairchild, and Bill Peet –
the class has been the driving force to BG’s first NLL title since 2003.
Brown, who also started for BG as a freshman and is just 45 points shy of 1,000 for his career, has seen
his teammate grow since he first arrived.
"I really didn’t know much about him. I knew his dad was the coach. I knew that he played over in
New Jersey and that he was pretty good," Brown said. "We’ve been best friends ever since. The
connection clicked pretty quick.
"He’s always been a good, solid, fundamental player. But what I’ve really seen is his physicality
grow. I already know if he’s not working out with me, he’s in the gym by himself," added Brown.
"He’s a great teammate. He’s quiet like a silent assassin. But at that same time if somebody’s open
he’s going to get them the ball."
Orr and the Bobcats still have unfinished business this season, namely making a run in the tournament. BG
has a bye and faces the winner of Perrysburg and Lima Senior in the Division I sectional final at
Liberty-Benton on Friday.
"Last year we knew that we stubbed our toe, so this year there was none of that," Orr said.
"We’re not going to let up yet. We’re going to work as hard as we can and go as long as we
can."
As for his basketball future and the question that everyone seems to be asking, Orr said he is still
contemplating where he will play college basketball.
"I just keep working. Without the support of my team I couldn’t have got here without them or
without the coaching staff that we have. They’ve pushed me and I thank them for that, because without
them I wouldn’t have had anything like this," Orr said. "I definitely want to play at the
highest level I can. I think throughout these next years I’m going to form into a different player, and
I should if I keep working.
"BG is a possibility. Me and my dad have had some long talks about it, but I just want to wait out
my decision. I’ve got a few other schools I want to look at before I make my decision."
Whatever that decision is, Orr is sure to bring a positive presence, as well as a pretty good basketball
player, to his school of choice.