The Wolves? Jungle put their plan to action as Clarkston took a time out, less than two minutes to go in the final round of district playoffs.
They chanted ‘just like football? as they stared at Lake Orion’s student section, reminding their opponents of Clarkston’s other big game against them.
Senior Tyler Scarlett admitted the energy and encouragement from all the fans on Friday night helped in the boys 48-36 win.
Another help was on the court in the form of 6?3? junior Matt Rodgers and his four 3-point shots for the night.
Both teams were close as they went into the second half and Clarkston led, 20-19.
They continued to match points for points and Lake Orion grabbed a three point lead in the third quarter.
Scarlett narrowed the Dragons? lead to one point after he scored his basket with 4:11 remaining in the quarter.
Rodgers followed with his second field goal for the night. Lake Orion retailerated scoring their own 3-pointer.
With 50 seconds left, Rodgers added one more to finish the quarter, 31-30.
He continued the momentum opening the final quarter with another 3-point shot and with baskets from Scarlett and Marcus Hardy the boys held onto the lead for the win.
‘Rodgers is probably one of our hardest workers and his minutes are hard to come by,? said Dan Fife, long-time Wolves Head Coach. ‘He is a good stand still shooter and our other sub is a good defender so he doesn’t always get minutes. It felt comfortable when he came in.?
Fife added Rodgers also doesn’t give up.
‘Against Romeo he missed a shot and I told him it was a good shot. He came right back and made his shot. It shows how good his attitude is,? he said. ‘I trust his shooting and I don’t doubt this will give him a lift.?
The Wolves also competed against a defense play they hadn’t encountered in other games before – the box-and-one, focusing on keeping Matt Kamieniecki from scoring.
‘He hasn’t seen it at all,? said Fife. ‘In all fairness to Kamieniecki, a lot of kids have a tough time with it. He hit two big threes in the first half and that really helped him to keep his composure. He handled it very well.?
Winning the districts this season marks the Wolves 17th consecutive year taking the crown.
‘It never gets old winning districts,? said Fife. ‘This one was really satisfying because of what we have had to go through this year to get where we have gotten. It’s good to win districts for the kids, for the community.?
Before facing off with Lake Orion, the boys had to get through Romeo, winning 51-41.
They captured the lead at the end of the second quarter, but Fife saw a major piece missing from the game – energy.
‘Right now one loss and you are done,? he said. ‘It really bothers me when I see lack of energy in a tournament game because it could be our last. Mentally we didn’t play like we should.?
Going into Monday’s first round of regionals against Birmingham Brother Rice, the boys were focused.
Scarlett and Kamieniecki agreed it was going to be tough.
‘We have to bring our ‘A? game especially in this atmosphere and seeing this kind of pressure (from Lake Orion),? said Kamieniecki.
The boys didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for Brother Rice and the coaching staff did not appear anxious about it.
‘We are who we are,? said Fife. ‘We just have to be lucky. The kids have to play on all cylinders and have to play their hearts out.?
The boys played the first round of regionals on Monday night and beat Birmingham Brother Rice, 55-42.
They move on to play Southfield on Wednesday night for the regional title at Lake Orion High School, 7 p.m.
The winner moves on to Quarterfinals next Tuesday, check Wolfpack Update on www.ClarkstonNews.com for the score.