In every basketball rivalry fans can almost always guarantee trash talking, hard fouling, and nail biting endings.
Friday night the Clarkston Wolves varsity girl’s basketball team beat rival Lake Orion 39-38 after a back and forth battle throughout the entire game.
‘Even though Lake Orion are our rivals, we didn’t change our gameplan at all. Before the game I told the girls one thing. We have to beat them,? said head coach Tim Wasilk.
Lake Orion had beaten Clarkston three years in a row prior to Friday night, so they thought it was about time to turn things around.
Clarkston started off playing great team defense causing Lake Orion to make turnovers everywhere on the court. The Dragons were even struggling to get an open shot off.
On the offensive end, Clarkston was looking to go down low to junior forward Christina Jokisch, who ended the game with eight points.
There were a lot of blown lay-ups at certain points throughout the entire game that could have helped the Lady Wolves gain a comfortable lead.
As time expired in the first quarter, junior guard Megan Hastings hit a three pointer after good ball movement by the entire team to send Clarkston into the second leading 11-7.
The second quarter was one that Clarkston didn’t have a problem forgetting. With many silly mistakes taking place, Lake Orion dominated after taking the lead with 2:10 left to go in the half.
The Lady Wolves looked lost, sharpshooter senior Lindsey Reppuhn missed three early 3-pointers and turnovers seemed to plague the offense all quarter. The girls ended the half down 19-12.
Coming out of halftime, Clarkston looked revamped and had a new mindset.
‘Coach told us to stop playing like we were scared. He wanted us to get in their face and strongly emphasized defense,? said Hastings.
That was exactly what they did. The second half was much more fast paced, higher scoring, and scrappier on the defensive end for the Wolves.
Lake Orion though, did have the advantage on the offensive glass for what seemed like the entire game.
Sophomore guard Delaney Kenny scored seven of her 10 points in the third quarter and took over the position as offensive leader for the time being.
Lake Orion took a much needed timeout with 1:49 left in the third to slow down the ensuing Lady Wolves.
It didn’t seem to be much of a speed bump for the girls as they ended the quarter trailing 25-28.
In the fourth, Clarkston didn’t waste any time tying the game back up with 4:42 left to play.
Lake Orion seemed to fall apart at the end giving up two field goals late and an offensive foul all credited to Hastings.
To seal the victory, Reppuhn was fouled with 24.6 seconds left and sunk the first of two free throw shots.
The final score of the game was 39-38 giving Clarkston its first win over the dragons in four years.
This win over the Dragons brings the Lady wolves record to a solid 6-4 on the season
‘Overall, we struggled shooting the ball, but we played well on the defensive end of the court. The experience definitely showed at the end of the game resulting in a win for us,? said coach Wasilk.
The Lady Wolves hosted Rochester Adams on Tuesday and head to Rochester on Thursday night.