The Clarkston girls basketball team got familiar with the words ‘Nip? and ‘Tuck? last week.
The Wolves came within four points of upsetting No. 1 Auburn Hills Avondale on Oct. 18, losing 49-44. Clarkston was only down two points with less than a minute to go, but a late turnover proved costly and the Yellowjackets were able to ice the game from the free throw line.
Junior Chelsea Kouri led the Wolves in scoring with 20 points, which included six three-pointers. Senior Melissa Martinez scored nine points to further the Wolves cause against the state’s top team.
Clarkston got back to winning on Oct. 20, holding off a hungry Rochester team, 35-32. Martinez’s nine points led the way against the Falcons. Senior Tamra Green chipped in eight points in the victory.
Clarkston is now 9-6 (4-3) on the year. Playing in the OAA Division I has taken a toll on Clarkston’s overall record this year, but Clarkston Coach Tim Wasilk relishes the opportunity to play against such tough competition as fellow league members Avondale, Southfield Lathrup (No. 3 in the state) and West Bloomfield (No. 8 in the state).
The Wolves have seen each of the OAA I’s powerhouses once this season and were close at the end of each contest.
The stretch run will give Clarkston plenty of opportunity to pull off an upset as they play at West Bloomfield on Oct. 27, at home against Lathrup on Nov. 3, and close the season at home against Avondale on Nov. 10. Clarkston also plays at Northern on Nov. 8.
Clarkston’s game against Waterford Kettering finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.