By Wendi Reardon Price
Staff Writer
wprice@mihomepaper.com
TROY — Clarkston Boys Varsity Lacrosse players were ready to go before the went onto the field at Troy High School for the MHSAA Division 1 Region 4 Final against the Colts, May 29.
They showed it as they scored 12 points in the first quarter while keeping Troy to only two to win their third consecutive regional title.
“We talked in the locker room and you heard us out there,” said Brian Kaminskas, head coach. “This is something we worked for. We tell them all the time this is something we build for in May and here we are at. It’s a good group of guys and they had a goal in mind and they went after it. We are young so to see these guys step up and mature throughout the season and as we are getting late into the race to see them take control and play it’s just wonderful.”
Nick Ferman scored the first goal of the night within the first minute with an assist from Lucas Diton.
The Wolves went on to score nine more goals before Troy put their first point on the scoreboard with 1:26 left in the quarter.
In the last 26 seconds, Troy scored one more and the Wolves scored two goals from Joe Rottenberk and Luke Darnell, to end the quarter, 12-2.
Darnell led with seven goals and four assists, which included three in a row in the third period.
“He has been solid all year,” said Kaminskas. “But, I really do think he came alive the last couple of weeks. He looked really good.”
Diton had four goals and five assists.
“Lucas look well tonight,” said Kaminskas. “All the attackmen. But, worth of not, Lucas as a sophomore now hold the record in Clarkston for most points in a season, with 56 goals and 55 assists. He took it from assistant coach Connor Ward.”
Ferman had four goals and four assists. Kendall Makouen had three goals and two assists. York had one goal and one assist. Tyler Pilarski and Joe Rottenberk each had one goal.
Rottenberk won 19 of the face-offs.
“Joey did a terrific job,” Kaminskas said. “One of our focuses today was the face off. When Troy played Stoney Creek, they went 15-for-16 so that was a big deal for us. Joe did an exceptional job.”
Robert Haracic had 11 saves in the net.
“All over it was a good program win,” said Kaminskas. “For defense, Sean Alnaraie played very well.”
The Wolves lost to Brother Rice in the quarterfinals on Friday, 19-8. Darnell led with three goals and one assist. Makouen had two goals. York had one goal and three assists and Parker Royse had one goal.
Clarkston finished the season with an overall record of 12-9.
“We are young,” said Kaminskas. “We made a lot of mistakes in April, but you stay the course. You keep working. We did not leave our core principles, what we call our non-negotiable and you just keep working and good things will happen. We came alive a couple weeks ago and said time is short we want to make the best of it and keep going. There is a whole new accountability in practice. There is a new expectation in practice. They are pushing each other and it shows when they get on the field.”

  Boys Lacrosse, Clarkston Athletics