Round one is in the bag, but not easily.
Waterford Kettering’s cagers were ready for Clarkston, keeping them behind for the first half of the game. But the Wolves prevailed and won the first round of districts, 39-31.
‘They played well, they outsmarted us,? said Clarkston coach Dan Fife. ‘We were fortunate to win. In everything you play, you got to be lucky ? we’ve made it hard all year. We make it hard on ourselves, but it was a good win. I am happy with the win.?
The Captains kept Clarkston to zero points for the first five minutes of the game.
But Brandon Pokley fought his own way through their defenses and sunk a three-pointer to put them on the board.
Clarkston gained momentum and went into the second half behind five points, 20-15.
In the third quarter, Clarkston closed the score even more.
A basket from Julius Porter brought them into the lead with less than three minutes left in the quarter.
Knowing Kettering would even the score, Wolves? defense was ready and locked them out from scoring.
Another basket from Pokley would send the team into the last quarter, 27-24.
During the last half of the game, they put 24 points on the scoreboard, ending the game, 39-31.
‘I am pretty proud of our kids for playing a game against a very good team that’s well coached,? said Waterford Kettering coach Brian Tass.
High scorers for the game for the Wolves were Pokley, with 15 points, nine points from the three-point line, and Kupe, 11.
High scorers for the Captains were Kiril Valtchev, 10, and Kevin Truitt with six points.
They can’t count on luck next time, Fife said.
‘Oxford hasn’t lost a tournament game,? said Fife, about the game set for Wednesday.
In round two of the district playoffs, Clarkston plays Oxford at 5:30 p.m. Waterford Mott plays Lapeer East at 7 p.m.
The winners from the games will advance to the final game on Friday at 7 p.m.
All games are held at Clarkston High School.