In the words of Clarkston senior Melissa Martinez there was ‘no way? Waterford Kettering was going to oust the Clarkston’s girls basketball team from post season play three years in a row, especially not this year with the district title on the line as the two teams tipped off on Nov. 18 at Ortonville Brandon High School.
Becoming successful Ahabs did not come easily to the Wolves as Kettering scored the first points of the fourth quarter to tie the game 28-28. But, from there on out, the game belonged to the maize and blue ballers, as Clarkston embarked on a 17-0 run to close the game, winning the district championship, 45-28.
‘Everybody stepped up, mostly on defense. Our defense won that game,? Martinez said. ‘We really weren’t worried about what we were going to do on offense. We were more worried about stopping Waterford Kettering like we did in the fourth quarter.?
Keying the Clarkston run were several steals made at half court resulting in easy points on layups and from the free throw line.
‘Those steals changed the whole momentum of the game. After those steals, (Kettering) just broke down ? our defense definitely won that game, if it wasn’t for those steals the game would have been much closer,? Martinez said.
In the fourth quarter, both Martinez and junior Chelsea Kouri pilfered the ball three times to stymie Kettering and volley the Wolves to victory.
Martinez, who saw more than one shot roll coyly off the rim earlier in the game, scored nine of her game high 11 points in the fourth, converting three point plays twice after being fouled on layup attempts.
‘Turnovers hurt us. They stepped up their defense, they got in passing lanes and they got layups,? Waterford Kettering Coach Lisa Cox said.
Martinez’s back court partner, senior Tamra Green let her play on the court voice how she felt about Clarkston’s failures against Kettering in past years.
‘They were awesome tonight. Tamra and Melissa did a great job defensively and controlling the game offensively,? Clarkston Coach Tim Wasilk said.
Green provided a much needed spark on offense as Clarkston came out flat to start the game and trailed at the end of the first quarter 12-5. Taking the scoring load upon herself, Green poured in all 10 of her points for the game in the second quarter as Clarkston out scored Kettering 17-6 to end the half leading 22-18.
‘Our girls really wanted this one bad. I think in the back of their minds they might have been a little upset about what happened the past couple years in districts,? Wasilk said. ‘In the fourth quarter we stepped up. We talk about ‘winning time? and that’s what it was. The girls came together and did it. They made the big plays and kept on making the big plays.?
On Nov. 20, the good times continued to roll as Clarkston defeated Brighton 53-48 in the first round of the regional finals at Anchor Bay.
Clarkston will face Grand Blanc on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at Anchor Bay for the Regional Crown.
Pick up next week’s edition of The Clarkston News for complete coverage of the girls run at regionals.