The Lady Wolves took the sting out of the Avondale Yellow Jackets as they beat them 45-40, Jan. 21.
“It was a close game,” said Clarkston Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach Tim Wasilk. “We played really well defensively. We grinded out at win. I am really happy with our press in the second half. We did a nice job of building some turnovers, some easy baskets for us and getting to the foul line with our defensive press in the second half.”
Avondale led at the end of the first quarter after scoring 10 points and keeping Clarkston to five. But the Lady Wolves came back to outscore the home team 12-8. With the boost they ended the first half behind by one point, 18-17.
It was close again during the third quarter as the Lady Wolves outscored Avondale by two points to take a one point lead.
“During the fourth quarter it seemed like we were in control,” Wasilk noted. “It was close all the way down to the wire.”
Within the last minute senior Aliana Cook and junior Erika Davenport were sent to the line for two free throw shots each.
“Aliana had two big free throws along the stretch in the last minute,” Wasilk added.
Davenport led the team with 29 points in which 23 points were scored in the second half. She also had 15 rebounds and five steals.
Senior Kacy Robinson scored seven points and had one 3-pointer during the game as well as four steals.
Junior Ashley Skaggs had seven points and scored one 3-pointer.
Wasilk added the close games help as the girls head into the last month of the regular season.
“It is great for us to put us in those kinds of situations,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence in close games. We can find a way to win. It only prepares us for tough league games and playoff basketball. It is a tough schedule for us league and non-league. It speaks volumes in tough games to keep getting better.”
Wasilk noted due to game cancellations because of the weather the girls will have a few weeks in February they will play three games.
The Lady Wolves host Pontiac on Thursday and head to Stoney Creek next Tuesday.
Wasilk said some players are battling injuries and the first year varsity players are getting the experience they need to build confidence in close game situations.
JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.
~Sports Writer Wendi Reardon