After two consecutive losses the Cagers ended the week with a powerful win over Academy of Oak Park at the Dorian Style Classics on Sunday.
Senior Matt Kamieniecki dominated the scoreboard with 26 points as the team won, 69-42.
The boys were up by six points going into the first half and defense put on powerful blocks as their opponents only scored 11 points in the remainder of the game.
‘I was proud,? Wolves Boys Basketball Head Coach Dan Fife. ‘I hate to get proud because I don’t want to get soft in my practices but I was proud of their reaction to the losses. As a coach, I am anxious to see how our kids come out of the loss.?
Fife commented on how well the boys responded on both sides of the floor – defensively and moving the ball well on offense.
The boys first loss last week was against Southfield-Lathrup, 64-61. They followed it up with another close loss to Pontiac on Friday, 54-51.
The game was another close game and the boys found themselves near victory as they neared the end of the game with nine seconds to go.
Pontiac’s Juwan Moody sank a 3-pointer tying the game at 51 points from half court.
Clarkston sent an inbound pass to Kamieniecki and Pontiac knocked it away. DeBrian Lewis shot another 3-pointer from the mid-court to end the game.
‘I am 60 and in 55 years of my life I have never seen what happened, happen,? said Fife. ‘One half court shot is amazing, then to have two half courts shots is a tough way to lose.?
Kamienieck led the team with 15 points, and Tyler Scarlett followed with 13.
Each game aided the team in looking at what they are doing in the game.
‘Losing like we have done and winning like we have in most situations have been good situations,? said Fife.
During most of the situations the boys have been under pressure, from both their opponents.
‘You find out about yourself,? continued Fife. ‘You figure out what you need to do to win and how you can win under the circumstances. Then if it translates back to practice, you realize the significance of working hard all the time or should. Those losses are great lessons.?
Though the team’s youth showed at the beginning of the season, Fife said the last 13 games have made them grow up quick.
As the boys going into the last half of the season Fife said they will see what happens especially as they host Oak Park on Friday.
‘We should be in good shape,? he said. ‘We have a lot of young kids. They know they have expectations on them. They are going to follow in the footsteps (of the seniors) and leave a legacy and expectations for the next team. The legacy is the effort they put into it, mental and physical and say you gave it your best.?
The boys are now 9-4 overall and 5-3 in OAA Red. They look to improve their record when host the Knights on Thursday. They head to West Bloomfield next Tuesday. JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.