It was the dunk heard around Clarkston as Tyler Scarlett reached up and put the ball through the basket.
Clarkston fans whistled, cheered and clapped for the senior’s moment in the 51-40 win over West Bloomfield last Friday.
Long-time Wolves Boys Basketball Coach was excited to see Scarlett make the play.
‘Scarlett, for two years, really struggled as a point guard and he is really coming into his own. He has learned to use his body, change speeds and really play smart with the basketball. For him to get a dunk – it’s exciting for him,? said Fife. ‘You dream about it when you’re young and the fans were happy for him.?
Nick Tatu started the scoring for the game after he shot a 3-pointer.
Matt Kamieniecki and Scarlett led the team as the boys continued the lead and distanced themselves from the Lakers on the scoreboard.
The Wolves never let up the control even when West Bloomfield showed them their mean side, especially on 6?7? Kamieniecki.
‘It was an extremely physical game,? Fife said. ‘There are three of them coming at him and they are willing to beat him up and be physical with him. The game is physical. When he goes to college next year he will understand that even more. You have to prepare yourself for it.?
He added it was a great lesson to any player on how to turn it around and play smart and not to get wrapped in emotions, especially since the Lakers rode on them during the entire game.
‘They out-toughed us in the first half. The second half we were better, stronger grabbing the ball, and taking care of it better. We responded. Kami got good plays from Scarlett and good plays from Zach Collins.?
Fife also saw a lot of good things come out of defense, including baskets made from defense’s transitions and able to get to the ball when West Bloomfield lost control.
‘I am just happy with a win,? said Fife. ‘We are still young and still learning.?
He has seen the young players continue to improve during every practice and they have come a long way since the first home game.
‘The kids have really started to embrace the Clarkston way, Clarkston basketball and what we are really about,? he said.
Kamieniecki led during the game and scored 19 points and Scarlett had 12.
They beat Flint-Northern on Jan. 12, 60-36.
‘We got a good lead early and kept on them,? said Fife about the boys posting 23 points in the first quarter and keeping Flint to three points before the half finished.
Kamieniecki led with 21 points and Mitch Baenziger added 11 to the board.
The boys played Southfield on Tuesday for the opportunity to break the tie between them for first place in the league.
They host North Farmington (5-4, 1-2 OAA Red) on Friday.