The Wolves have sunk their first two games of the season with wins over Waterford Mott and Bloomfield Hills Lahser.
They tested the waters with seniors Jordan Dasuqi and Chance Huth out with injuries, their new starting lineup and new players as they took on Mott first in a 54-48 win.
“It was an ugly win but I couldn’t be any prouder of our kids,” said Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach Dan Fife. “They know with Dasuqi and Huth out they have more knowledge and experience. It is hard to understand from life experience what you need in the first game to get where they need to be to understand varsity basketball to be quicker and stronger.”
Mott opened with a basket. Nick Owens lined up for a 3-point attempt to put the Wolves into the lead. It didn’t go in and went to Mott.
Clarkston got the ball back and Merrick Canada put the Wolves on the board with a basket. Press Kampe and Owens added two points a piece.
Mott came back to score seven points to take the lead 9-6 before senior Dylan Hancook scored with two points and three points from Owens eased Clarkston into the lead.
The Wolves held control of the scoreboard going into the second quarter with a four point lead.
Mason Vires and Alex Trim boosted Clarkston with two 3-pointers to put Clarkston up to 21-11. The Wolves scored eight more points before the first half closed, 29-22.
Clarkston kept up the momentum during the third quarter. They found themselves in foul trouble in the last seven minutes of the game, and Mott was sent to the line five times.
“We just had silly, lazy fouls,” said Fife. “We were getting beat in transition when the floor was spread out.”
Andrew Myers led with 12 points, and Owens added ten points.
Fife added the boys can take a lot from their first game as they move forward into the round of games before holiday break.
“They can take what do I do wrong, what can I do better and how physical the game is and what they will have to do,” he said.
Owens was the leader against Lahser as the Wolves posted a 58-49 win. He scored eight 3-pointers helping him lead with 26 points for a game high.
The boys were behind as they ended the first quarter 21-16 and things didn’t seem to get better as they struggled to score in the first seven minutes of the second quarter.
“They have really good players,” Fife said going into the game. “All of their kids have experience and are back from last year. It will be tough but I am looking forward to it.”
Before the half ended the Wolves added to the board with two 3-pointers to put the score 29-22 as Lahser held onto the lead.
Clarkston finished the second half but outscoring Lahser to win the game.
Myers added 15 points to the board and Vires sank two 3-pointers.
Clarkston went on to beat St. Mary’s Prep, 64-58 on Monday night after being behind for most of the game.
The boys host Rochester Adams on Tuesday. JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.