The Wolves have been eating well over the past week.
After swallowing up a share of the OAA division I league title with a 70-26 shellacking of Troy on Feb. 22 and gorging on a 98-71 offensive feast in their regular season finale at Southfield on Feb. 25 ? Clarkston struggled to find their appetite early in the opening round of districts on Feb. 28 against Ortonville-Brandon. In the end though, the Wolves adjusted their belts and finished off the Blackhawks 74-40.
‘I really think the Brandon kids out competed us, especially in the first half,? said Clarkston Coach Dan Fife. ‘Once we let them know that they could, they just decided to go ahead and play with us.?
With less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Brandon trailed the Wolves 13-12. However, Clarkston put the kibosh on the Blackhawks? hopes for a monumental upset by clogging the passing lanes, forcing nine second quarter turnovers. At the break Clarkston held a 33-22 lead.
?(Clarkston’s) pressure and ability to play as physical as they did obviously affected us and forced us to play at a faster pace than what we are used to,? said Brandon Coach Tim Donnan. ‘We have a very young team, I was glad that we got a chance to play them. (Clarkston) is the benchmark and standard that we need to reach.?
Senior Robbie Clark signaled the true start of the game for the Wolves, as he watched from the floor while his high-arcing three pointer dropped through the twine, collected himself and buried the free throw. The four-point-play put Clarkston up 42-26 and unleashed a 17?9 scoring binge capped by another Clark three pointer.
‘I’m happy with the win. I’m happy it’s over with,? said Fife.
Clarkston shot 15 of 31 in the second half. Pressure on the ball earned the Wolves nine extra possessions along the way. Wolves senior Adam Briceland was especially active on the defensive end, recording three steals.
Brandon’s Donald Tucker led all scorers with 17 points. Clark and senior Brad Goodman were not far behind with 14 and 13 points respectively.
Clarkston will face Waterford Mott in the second round of district playoffs on March 2. Should the Wolves advance, Clarkston will play for a berth to regionals on March 4. All district games are being held at Waterford Kettering.