The district champions became the regional champions last week, with a chance for even loftier accomplishments in the Class A state quarterfinals.
The Wolves earned a spot among the state’s final eight with a 49-42 defeat of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley Friday, March 14 at Macomb Dakota High School.
“It was really a seesaw game,” said coach Dan Fife, noting some fourth quarter concern when the Wolves were down by four points. Clarkston bounced back, however, with two crucial steals from Ryan Kaltz
“Our intensity picked up on the defensive end,” Fife said. “It was an emotional, hard-fought win.”
Junior Chris Johnston led the scoring with 20 points, followed by sophomore Robbie Clark with 14.
“The key to the game was our defense,” Fife said, however, giving special credit to senior Justin Whetstone for his efforts.
Consistently tough competition has been a plus for the Wolves basketball team this season, the coach said. That is good preparation for post-season competition (something to which Clarkston is no stranger), and Fife said he tries to keep his players prepared no matter the scheduled foe.
“Anytime you’re not ready to play, you can get blown out by 30,” he said.
The quarterfinal contest was scheduled for Tuesday, March 18 (after The Clarkston News’ press deadline) against Carman-Ainsworth, a team Clarkston faced earlier in the season.
The Wolves (17-8) advanced to the regional final by defeating Grand Blanc 75-66 on Tuesday, March 11. Fife said the Bobcats played well early in that contest, but the Clarkston squad again played the comeback game to earn the right to face Chippewa Valley.It was a little too close for comfort at times, but the Wolves held off a furious Grand Blanc comeback to defeat the Bobcats 75-66 in a regional semifinal game at Dakota.
The first quarter was all Clarkston, as the Wolves raced out to a 6-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game. The Bobcats called timeout with 2:59 left in the first period after Clarkston senior guard Justin Whetstone’s layup put the Wolves up 16-6. By the time the period ended, the Wolves had a 20-8 lead.
In the second quarter, it was much of the same, as the Wolves furthered their advantage. Whetstone, who scored 15 points in the game, connected with 3:23 left in the second to pull the Wolves up 33-13 as the Bobcats called a 30-second timeout. The Wolves forged a 38-19 lead at the half.
“I thought we played very well in the first half,” he said. “It seemed like everything went our way.”
However, the Bobcats turned up the jets in the third quarter, scoring 25 points in the period and using its press to force several Clarkston turnovers. “It slowed up what we were wanting to do,” Fife said. “We have some young kids out there and it slowed us down.”
In addition, junior forward Chris Johnston, who had 14 points in the game, picked up his fourth foul with 1:34 left in the third, sending him to the bench. By the time the period was through, Grand Blanc had trimmed Clarkston’s lead to 52-44.
Johnston returned to the game with 7:10 left in the fourth, but the Bobcats continued chipping away at the Clarkston lead. Johnston fouled out with 4:21 left in the game, and Grand Blanc converted the two ensuing free throws to cut the Clarkston lead to 58-56.
That’s when Whetstone came to the rescue. He hit two key back-to-back baskets to spark a 9-0 run that gave the Wolves a 67-56 lead with under two minutes left.
“We went two times inside to Whetstone and he scored,” Fife said.
“Those were crucial touches. I was happy for him because he is a senior. Justin’s been a good player for us all year.”
Sophomore guard Brad Goodman, who led the Wolves with 21 points, made eight free throws down the stretch to help seal the win.