BY HARRY KNITTER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
With only two players gone from last year’s 17-9 team, Clarkston High School Athletic Director and Varsity Basketball Coach Dan Fife has an experienced squad of players who have been well-educated in the “Fife System.”
Somewhat like West Coast offense in football, the Fife System is a pattern of playing basketball that generates points once it is executed effectively. That’s why experience counts. In addition, the Fife System includes some human traits which are not developed on the hardwood court. Take attitude, for example. Fife prefers a combo of players who exhibit a positive approach to the game, players who aggressively pursue the ball, who don’t back down when the going gets sticky.
Fife says his 2004 Wolves are smart, well-schooled athletes who are basically “good kids” and make excellent role models. “We know we lack body strength, but we will make up for this deficiency in other ways,” Fife said.
The tallest player back from last year’s team is 6’6″ Chris Johnston, a senior this year who plays center and forward and posts-up effectively.
“Johnson is already committed to attend Lincoln Memorial college in Tennessee next season,” Fife said.
The starting guard for this year’s Wolves are Senior Mark Thornberry, a 6’2″ wing player, and Senior Wingman Ryan Kaltz, also 6’2″. Fife predicts that Joe Moran, John Kast, and Kyle Radamacher, along with Freshman Bren Berquist, will comprise a strong bench and will see plenty of action.
Other players coming off the bench include Juniors Adam Briceland, Brad Goodman, Jack Meissnest, Chris Miller, Scott Lyons, Chris Brookes, and senior Stan Zielinski.
Fife feels that Pontiac Northern, Pontiac Central, and Southfield Lathrup will pose the most serious challenges in league play, pointing out that “in Oakland County, there are 28 schools who compete in basketball, and that the league realigns itself every two years.”
The Wolves were scheduled to launch their season with an appearance at Flint Northern this week.