Cagers walked to Monday’s practice after watching the tape from the game against North Farmington.
Their heads were filled with mental notes they made while watching Friday’s overtime loss, 42-40.
‘We didn’t play well,? said Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach Dan Fife. ‘We played just how North Farmington wanted us to play.?
The game was close but as the boys approached the last four minutes North Farmington had created a eight point gap.
Clarkston rallied and a few key baskets from Matt Kamieniecki narrowed the distance on the board quickly. After another basket from Kamieniecki and cheers from the fans, the team was one point behind.
Mitch Baezinger stood outside the arc and sunk a 3-pointer, then stuck again 22 seconds left in the game scoring on both of his two free throws.
North Farmington retaliated scoring a field goal and going to the line with three seconds left after a foul was called on Kamieniecki.
The Raiders scored on both ending the quarter, 38-38, putting the OAA Red game into overtime.
Tyler Scarlett scored after North Farmington’s attempt went around the rim and out into the Wolves? hands with just over two minutes remaining.
The Raiders tied the score less than a minute later and pulled themselves into the lead after the scored two on the free throw line after a foul was called on Scarlett.
With only seconds left Nick Tatu aimed for his final shot and missed, ending the game 42-40.
‘We came unprepared to play,? said Fife. ‘We came and we let the other dictate the way the game is going to be played in our gym – that’s not the way it should be. It’s our will against someone else’s will. If we are not invoking our will, we will get outplayed. We revoked our will and that’s not who we are.?
Fife couldn’t foretell how the loss will effect the team for the rest of the season.
‘We will find out,? he explained. ‘Losing can be a great thing for a program, but we will find the essence of it.?
Kamieniecki led with 14 points and Tatu scored 11.
High scorers for the Raiders were Robert Hogans, 19, and Kyle Vinales, 11.
The Wolves hit a high point earlier in the week when they beat Southfield to take the lead in the OAA, 61-54.
‘It was a good game,? Fife commented. ‘We played against Carlton Brundidge, a Divison I kid going to Michigan. We did a good job on their guards. We did what we had to do.?
Fife pointed out a few key aspects for the game was Tatu shot the basketball well, the team shot their free throws well, and Scarlett did a good job guarding Brundidge.
‘It’s the first time through the system we are playing these teams,? Fife noted. ‘We are playing them at home, winning like we are supposed to and protecting our turf.?
Kamieniecki was the leading scorer, with 17 point eight rebounds and two assists. Scarlett finished the night with 15 points. Brundidge led the Bluejays with 20 points.
The boys have one game this week and host Avondale on Friday.
‘I don’t know what it’s like for Avondale,? Fife admitted. ‘We have struggled because we are having an identity crisis. It’s been coming for a while. It just hadn’t happened.?
The loss to North Farmington brought the boys overall record to 7-2.
JV begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, varsity follows.