Cagers added two more to the win column last week ? not only for their season but for long-time head coach Dan Fife’s overall record as he reached 599 wins on Friday night.
Fife reflected on the past wins including the Wolves? most recent victory over Rochester Adams, 67-56, and added it is the impact of the program left on the players and not the wins.
‘Maybe those are the bigger victories than whatever number wins,? he said. ‘For 32 years I have have been blessed in a great community, great administration, great staff and great players. It is fulfilling to be able to do that for everyone involved because it isn’t Dan Fife 600 wins, it’s Clarkston Basketball 600 wins. It is great for our community and our kids.?
The boys most recent win with the Highlanders was hard fought and physical as Adams opened with two quick baskets.
‘It was sloppy on our part,? Fife added. ‘But we didn’t let them get out to a big run.?
The Wolves came back with three points from Mike Nicholson off a basket and one from the free throw line. Nick Owens brought the boys into the lead with another basket.
The first half closed with Clarkston leading 31-27. The score continued to remain close in the third quarter.
Nicholson created more distance in the last two minutes when he was sent to the free throw line twice and completed all four attempts. A basket from Tabin Throgmorton in the last minute ended the quarter 48-43.
With four minutes left in the game the Highlanders closed in within two points on the board. Nicholson scored five points to put more distance between the two teams as the Wolves? defense kept the visiting team from scoring.
‘That is how an OAA game is supposed to be played,? Fife said. ‘It was a great game for everybody to watch. It was just kids competing.?
‘It was a tough game,? Fife added. ‘Everything about it was good. It was physical with kids competing. It is fun to watch kids compete that hard. If you lose you you can at least know you gave everything you had.?
Nicholson led with 33 points against the Highlanders. Owens and Throgmorton added 11 points each. Owens scored two field goals in the game.
The Wolves outscored Pontiac in the first half on Feb. 11, 36-12. They continued to reign by putting 25 points on the board in the third quarter. The game finished with a 70-25 win for Clarkston.
Owens led the team with 16 points and scored four field goals. Nicholson added 15 points and Throgmorton had 11 points.
The boys head to North Farmington on Wednesday with a 13-3 overall record, leading the OAA Red 9-1. They are home on Friday when they host Southfield-Lathrup and on Tuesday as they host Bloomfield Hills for the Wolves last home game for the season.
JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.