The tide had turned as Cagers went into their final quarter against North Farmington in their last home game for the season.
The Raiders slowly gained on the Wolves lead and with 80 seconds left in the game had gotten within two points after scoring a 3-pointer.
Senior Dylan Hancook passed the basketball inside to teammate senior Jordan Dasuqi with 53.7 seconds to go. As Dasuqi was making his shot, he was fouled on and sent to the line for two points. He scored on both and two more when he was sent to the line again seconds later for two more.
Another point from junior Nick Owens at the line put the score at 37-30. Raider Caleb Hogans scored on a field goal before the game closed, putting the score 37-33.
“North Farmington has done that before to us,” said Dan Fife, long-time head coach for the Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball team. “They would have the ball and played their speed. It worked for them. We talked about it and we worked on it but you can’t stimulate it in practice. It really takes 45 minutes to get it in your kids in and dictate the tempo of the game. “
Owens opened the game with a 3-pointer to set the momentum. North Farmington answered with a field goal of their own, but it missed it’s mark and the Wolves grabbed the rebound.
Owens struck again, not once, but twice within 30 seconds off two passes from teammate junior Press Kampe. Both times he nailed a 3-pointer, putting the score 9-0.
Junior Michael Nicholson followed it up with reaching up and sinking the ball through the net. Dasuqi finished the first quarter with a basket off a pass from sophomore Andrew Myers.
“Fortunately we got off to a good start,” Fife said.
North Farmington outscored the Wolves in the second quarter 10-6, but Clarkston held onto the lead in the going into the final quarter.
“Farmington played smart,” said Fife. “They have a good ball handler who can make plays. It’s good for preparation. Win or lose at the tournaments, we have been there.”
Dasuqi led the team with 11 points. Owens scored 10 points with three field goals during the game. Hancook added six points to the board.
The Wolves continued their streak with a win over Southfield-Lathrup, 61-48. They opened the game with 20 points to capture the lead. Dasuqi led with 24 points and Owens have 14 points, with two 3-pointers.
They captured the OAA Red league title for the seventh consecutive year, finishing with a 11-1 record in the league.
Cagers opened the week with a win over Lake Orion in the MHSAA District playoffs on Monday, 54-43.
The boys move on to the semi-finals on Wednesday against Romeo, 7 p.m. The district playoffs conclude with the final round on Friday at 7 p.m. All games are at Lake Orion High School, 495 E. Scripps.
Check Wolfpack Update on www.ClarkstonNews.com to see how they did or follow on Twitter @CNewsWRSports.