The Wolves held onto the lead with 1:09 left in the MHSAA District Semifinals against Romeo last Wednesday with a 48-45 score.
The Bulldogs turned it around within the small amount of time to score seven points, winning the game 52-48 and ending Clarkston’s season.
‘I am disappointed for the kids. I thought going into it we had a chance to win it,? said Dan Fife, Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball head coach.
‘We played a lot of tough teams in the state especially during the summer. Every game we were finding ways and new ways on how to win. Yet there were times all of us seemed to get into a mental state of confusion. I give credit to Romeo, they came in and played us well and controlled the tempo of the game. They did everything they had to do to win.?
Junior Nick Owens led the team with 19 points, with five field goals. Seniors Jordan Dasuqi scored ten with two 3-pointers and Dylan Hancook added seven in the game.
The season ended for the Wolves with an overall record 18-4 and captured the OAA Red league title with a 11-1 record.
‘All and all we had a pretty good year considering everything that went on,? Fife said. ‘I was happy with 18-4 but just winning the league against some of the teams we played against was quite an accomplishment.?
The season began with four athletes not able to play – Nathan Yeloushan had surgery, Hancook had a foot injury, Dasuqi was out for the first two months and Chance Huth was out for four months.
The Wolves won their first three games of the season but fell to Rochester Adams and Troy before going on holiday break.
‘After that we kept finding a way to win and beating teams which I thought at the time had more physical talent than us,? said Fife. ‘Our kids stayed with it. I really thought we had a chance to sneak up on people and have a good run in the state tournament.?
The team graduates five seniors in June – Blake Sutherland, Dasuqi, Hancook, Huth and Yeloushan. They have 11 returners coming back next season to hold onto their league title and go for the district title again.
‘You find out what’s going to happen as soon as the season is over,? Fife said about the off-season.
‘Individual kids are made out of the season and teams are made during the season,? he added. ‘What they do out of the season to make themselves better that will help them contribute will depend on them. It’s not just shooting, it’s weightlifting and ball handling. It’s the same for anybody – you have to work hard and work on your weaknesses.?