Waterford Kettering’s Chaz Miller sunk a jumper and the Wolves season with :49 remaining in the district semifinal on Nov. 17.
Miller’s 12-footer gave the Captains a 44-43 lead. In the end, Kettering outscored Clarkston 49-45.
‘If she missed that shot we would have won the game,? said Coach Ann Lowney.
Moments later, Kettering’s Danielle Clark further hammered on Clarkston’s coffin: she drove the lane, took a foul and still managed to get the ball into the hoop for a 47-43 lead – after a succesful free throw attempt.
Senior forward Leigh Christy’s three point try with ten seconds remaining found a way to work itself free of the rim, her put back attempt rattled in and out in the same manner and the Wolves were forced to foul.
‘Usually we are able to hold Kettering to less points,? said Lowney. She added this game was especially tough since the two schools had already met twice this year. Clarkston won both of the earlier contests.
Senior forward Stephanie Parkin led both teams in scoring with 14 points.
Senior gaurd Jill Kouri chipped in 13 for the Wolves. She also gave Clarkston a 43-42 lead with 1:25 left in the game on a hard driving layup.
The game was a chippy affair and the officiating was very tight, both teams entered the penalty early in each half. Clarkston and Kettering combined for 19 free throws in the last six minutes of the game.
Overall, the Wolves finished the season 15-8 and finished third in the league. At the start of the year, the Wolves were picked to finish fourth or fifth.
‘I was really happy with the way we played in our league,? said Lowney. ‘I thought we would have a better State tournament run though.?
Next year’s team will return juniors Tamra Green and Melissa Martinez, who made up the Wolves starting back court for most of the season. Also returning is sophomore gaurd Chelsea Kouri whose season was cut short by a knee injury.
Starters Parkin, Kouri and Christy, as well as important reserve forward Julia Connor, will graduate this year.