Lady Cagers let out a sigh of relief as North Farmington missed their last four shots in the final 27 seconds in the overtime period last Thursday.
The missed shots kept the Clarkston Girls Varsity Basketball team in the lead and walking away with the 54-50 win.
“We played with a lot of toughness,” said head coach Tim Wasilk. “We made some mistakes but we found a way to win. We made some free throws along the stretch and I was proud of the kids.”
It was those free throws which helped the Lady Wovles in the final minute as Erika Davenport with 3-for-3 on the line and Kayla Russell hit one of her two with 27 seconds remaining.
It was a close match throughout the entire game. The Wolves took the lead with 1:54 remaining in the third quarter off a basket from Davenport putting the score to 29-28. Jessica Altene ended the quarter with two more points.
They continued to match points in the last quarter. With 29 seconds remaining in the game Davenport put the lead up by two points.
Before the Wolves could celebrate North Farmington’s Lauren Tait was sent to the line for two attempts with nine second left. She scored both and tied the game 46-46, sending it into overtime.
Davenport led with 27 points and was 11-for-16 from the free throw line.
“She did a good job,” said Wasilk. “She did a good job inside being patient. When we got the ball we were pretty successful. They were good putting players on her and down below but she stayed composed and made free throws along the stretch.”
Robinson scored 16 points for the Lady Wolves during the game.
They opened the week the night before with another close game against Southfield-Lathrup and lost, 54-51.
“We had a a chance to win in the fourth quarter. We missed some free throws and didn’t make big plays,” Wasilk said. “But against North Farmington we just did. We have played a lot of close games and it shows togetherness and didn’t lose our cool.”
The Lady Wolves host their last home game on Thursday against Avondale with JV beginning at 5:30 p.m. and varsity following.
The varsity team begins the post-season in the MHSAA Girls Basketball Districts on Monday against Rochester Adams.
“It will be a competitive battle,” Wasilk said. “They are a well-coached team and their starters are above 5’10” in length. It should be a good ball game. We will take it one game at a time.”
The game against North Farmington wasn’t the first close game the girls had during the season and Wasilk added all the close games will help heading into the playoff season.
“They are great because we really don’t get rattled because we have had so many close games this year,” he said. “At least ten of our games have been down to the last final minutes. It should help us out in the future.”
The Lady Wolves host districts beginning on Monday. They play at 7 p.m.