BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Cagers went on a shooting frenzy as they defeated Rochester Adams in the MHSAA Division 1 District 5 Final on Saturday afternoon, 67-31.
“Our kids wanted it,” said Tim Wasilk, head coach for Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball, adding last year’s district final didn’t happen because of the COVID-pandemic just began and the playoffs were cancelled after the district semifinal.
The title means a lot more this year to the players and coaches with the shortened winter season which began in February.
“This is the first one for our guys who have been with us for three years,” Wasilk said. “Losing Adams the first round two years ago. Then, not having a chance to continue last year was in the back of their minds.”
Adams opened the game with the first basket and Clarkston senior Isayah Harris quickly tied the score.
Adams pulled into the lead by two with two free throws by Joni Ursuy with the Wolves answering with a field goal from junior Keegan Wasilk, 5-4.
A foul against Clarkston sent Ursuy to the line again where he sank both points to bring the Highlanders into the lead for a short time.
Harris closed the first quarter with a basket to bring the Wolves back up, 7-6.
The Wolves went on a 9-point run half way through the second quarter, started by a field goal by Harris along with two points from Wasilk and three points from freshman Brody Kosin.

Clarkston continued to build onto their lead and closed the first half with a field goal from junior Nathan Steinman, 26-17.
“We haven’t scored like that all year,” Wasilk said. “It was like a different team for us offensively. We were clicking on all cylinders. Defensively I knew we would be okay because we have been pretty consistent. I tell the guys when we are that good on offense we go from a good team to a great team.”
He added the players responsed well to having junior Mike DePillo out with an injury.
“Definitely losing Mike was big,” Wasilk said. “He has been so huge for us this year – inside, outside. We talked about next man up. We talked about you guys have to step up and be ready to play – that’s what they did today.”
Steinman led during the game with 18 points with four field goals and four rebounds. Wasilk had 17 points and six assists. Harris had 12 points and three rebounds. Junior Zach Austin had nine points and three rebounds. Senior Luke Scherler had six points and seven rebounds. Kosin had three points and two blocks.
The Wolves defeated Lake Orion in the district semifinals on March 25, 45-35.
“We talk about playing games and riding it out,” said Wasilk. “It’s been the story of our season.”
He added the boys struggled offensively but they were on point on defense.
“We are so used to playing in 40/45-point games that this isn’t a shock for us,” Wasilk said. “Our guys are comfortable. It’s the identity of our team and what we have been doing this year.”
The Dragons led for most of the game. Clarkston opened the fourth quarter to tie the score 27-27 with a basket from Wasilk. Lake Orion followed with their own basket to take the lead back.
It would be the last time the Dragons would lead as Scherler scored with six minutes to go in the game and Wasilk had another basket 30 seconds later, as well as one point from the free throw line, putting the boys 32-29.
“I am proud of our guys for sticking through it. It was a great win for us,” Wasilk said. “Lake Orion played a great game, really well-coached. We just made plays when we needed to. Our defensive pressure was really good throughout the game. We mixed up some traps. We made it really tough on them to get quality shots, especially in the second half.”
Wasilk led the game with 20 points and five assists. Scherler had eight points and two steals. DePillo had seven points and four rebounds, Austin had six points and four assists and Steinman had four points and three steals.
Clarkston (14-3) played Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the regional semifinal on Tuesday.
“It’s about us and getting ourselves ready to play,” Wasilk said looking ahead. “We are just coming out to compete and play like we always play. We can’t worry about our opponents. It’s the mindset we have taken all year.”
The winner moves on to the MHSAA Division 1 Regional 2 final at White Lake Lakeland on Thursday, 7 p.m.
“Kids need to understand it’s not how many you win by, it’s about surviving and advancing because everyone is ready to play this time of year,” Wasilk said.
The quarterfinal game is Tuesday, April 6 at Davison, 7 p.m.

  Basketball, Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball, District