Cagers play harder to keep streak

Cagers are finding it tougher as they get deeper into their season and closer to the playoffs.
They defeated North Farmington, 47-25.
During the first half, the Raiders defense kept Clarkston down to 17 points.
‘It’s a tough game play in,? said Clarkston Coach Dan Fife. ‘It’s a tough game to coach in because you know two point games can be like ten points. You’re never comfortable and you have to play defense for so long.?
The boys kept North Farmington down to ten points, with three of those points made as the buzzer sounded to end the first half.
The Wolves came back from the half time break roaring to go and scored 19 points in the third quarter.
The pace picked up for Brandon Pokley as he connected three of his five 3-pointer shots in those eight minutes.
‘Brandon Verlinden found him on a few of those and Tom Staton on another one,? said Fife.
The boys continued to get the ball to Pokley and Staton to score, while they blocked the Raiders and turned the ball around.
‘We just tried to do the best we could to helping Verlinden out guarding,? said Junior Matt Kamieniecki. ‘We tried to stall. We tried to stay disciplined on the defensive end. I thought we did really well defensively.?
Fife saw it as a good experience for the team.
‘There was a lot of movement of switching and communication,? he said. It was a good game for us but a tough one to win.?
Pokley was the high scorer with 23 points and Staton had 13.
The Wolves played rivals Pontiac Northern and won, 57-39.
For the boys and Fife it was a bitter-sweet victory as Northern and Pontiac Central will join together and become one school next fall.
‘That was probably the highlight of my coaching career,? said Fife.
‘A lot of it just playing Pontiac Northern games. They were hard fought games, buzzer beating, and huge crowds. Just great memories in that gym and Sy Green on the wall.
‘When we were in the other league, we always played them last and it seemed 90 percent always came down to that last game for the championship. It was always a big game. It’s not sad. More like a shame we’ll lose that when they go to one school. It will take time but they will create a rivalry.?
Kamieniecki led with 17 points and Verlinden added 14 to the game.
The boys played Troy on Tuesday and will host Southfield-Lathrup (8-6) on Friday.
‘It will be tough,? said Kamieniecki. ‘But they are at home so that will help. We won’t be on the road. They will be good teams.?
The boys will play at Pontiac Central (0-13) next Tuesday.
‘You can’t take anyone lightly especially when you have a target on your back,? said Kamieniecki. ‘We will be prepared though.?