Matt Kamieniecki moved in closer to the basket as Carman-Ainsworth defenders manuevered around to block the 6?7? senior.
Kamieniecki eyed the basket as Clarkston led the game by one point and the game would be over in less than three minutes. He took aim and let the ball go, watching as it made it’s way through the basket.
He led the team, scoring 24 points in the 55-52 win over Carman-Ainsworth (2-1) on Dec. 16.
‘We played a lot harder, a lot tougher and a lot better defense,? said Jordan Clark, following the game. ‘We played more Clarkston basketball than last week (in the loss to Henry Ford, 55-54).?
Longtime Wolves Coach Dan Fife was proud of the boys game performance.
‘It was a night and day difference between the team tonight compared to the night against Henry Ford. It just wasn’t the same team.?
Fife said key factors during the night was the effort the Wolves brought to the floor and communication.
‘We got a much better effort from all 14 kids tonight and a much better effort in practice. I don’t like to practice effort, and that’s what we had to get back to was effort.?
Not only was it the effort from the team, but two of his starters as well.
‘Scarlett had a good effort, but Kami had to bring the effort mentally and physically,? Fife pointed out. ‘He shot the ball well outside, which is good, but I was more pleased with his effort and how he got open offensively and that’s what I want.?
Another key was communication on the defensive end.
‘Zach Collins came in and did a great job for us because he talks so much,? Fife said. ‘He helps to settle people down by communicating. It’s leadership that becomes an extension of me out there on the floor. He is a sophomore who hasn’t had any varsity experience and there he is – stepping in. He does the same thing for the football team.?
Sophomore Nick Tatu put the boys into the lead scoring behind the 3-point line after Ainsworth scored two points. Tyler Scarlett, Kamieniecki and Tatu scored on four more 3-pointers before the first quarter ended, 19-12.
By the time game reached the half-time break, Ainsworth had caught up to Clarkston’s momentum and were one point behind on the scoreboard, 26-25.
Tatu and Kamieniecki scored three field goals during the game, Marcus Hardy on two and Scarlett on one.
‘Tatu is a shooter and he was a 3-point shooter last year,? said Fife. ‘He can make that shot.?
Tatu added a total of 16 points to the board and Scarlett, 9.
The boys followed it taking down Troy on Friday, 56-52, knowing the league game was going to be tough.
‘They don’t like us that much,? Clark said before the game. ‘So we have to come out and play hard and aggressive Clarkston basketball, like we did against Carman-Ainsworth.?
The boys finished the first half trailing three points behind the Colts, 27-24.
Clarkston’s defense kept Troy down to 16 points
Kamieniecki was the leading scorer with 22 points and Scarlett added 12 to the board.
Troy was led by James Young. He scored 23 points during the game.
The boys head into the holiday break and make their return to the floor on January 5, when they host Pontiac High School.
‘We can work on what we need to work on,? said Fife, taking advantage of the two-week break. ‘We are still young and hopefully we don’t take backward steps or sideways steps. We want to keep going forward.?