Even while questions about his team’s speed and ballhandling played across Clarkston basketball coach Dan Fife’s mind like so many sugar plums, the Wolves? and their coach were able to rest easy over the holidays with a 3-0 record to start the season.
?3-0 is pretty good, but we should be 3-0 right now,? Fife said.
In the week leading up to the Clarkston Schools winter break, which runs from Dec. 23-Jan. 3, the Wolves outclassed two inexperienced programs.
Clarkston dispatched Flint Northern 80-51 on Dec. 22. The contest was originally scheduled to open the Wolves? season on Dec. 9 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
‘We shot the ball really well and (Flint Northern) is really young,? Fife said.
Leading the way against Northern for Clarkston were senior Joe Moran and junior Dan Owens who each pumped in 16 points. Senior John Kast and junior Bren Bergquist each had 12 to help the winning effort.
‘We are getting a lot of contributions from a lot of kids right now,? Fife said.
On Dec. 20, Clarkston started slow but finished strong against Rochester Adams, winning 74-49.
The Highlanders were able to keep the game close early on, with the score knotted 12-12 at the end of the first quarter. Clarkston raced out to a 36-21 lead at the half, thanks in large part to Kast’s poignant play at the point, as he tallied 6 of his 11 points and 3 of his 5 assists in the second quarter.
The Wolves continued to roll in the second half, outscoring the Highlanders 22-10 in the third quarter to seal the game for all practical purposes.
Moran, Owens and Bergquist all registered a team high of 12 points against Adams.
‘Our inexperience at guard hurt us. (Clarkston) is just bigger stronger athletes,? said Adams Coach John Hall. ‘This is a bigger team than they’ve had in past years.
With 12 players on their 15 man roster listed at 6?2? or taller, Clarkston’s size, especially in the back court, is undeniable. Though Fife enjoys the mismatch a player like the 6?3? Kast creates at point guard, he is worried about the Wolves? ballhandling and just how fleet they are of foot.
‘Our overall team speed worries me and we have to become a much better passing team than we are. Against the competitive teams that really come after you, you have to take care of the basketball,? Fife said.
A 54-49 win over Carmen Ainsworth on Dec. 13, in which turnovers nearly cost the Wolves the game still sticks out in Fife’s mind. Over the break, a point of emphasis in practice will be firmly placed on handling defensive pressure.
A positive trend for the Wolves though has been the play of his bench, specifically from Owens? sweet shot, senior Robbie Ronk’s tenacity and court sense and sophomore Oliver Kupe’s boundless energy and raw athleticism.
The Wolves return from the break only to hit the road for four games straight. On Jan. 3 Clarkston plays at Rochester High. Jan. 6 features a showdown at Pontiac Northern. The road work continues Jan. 10 at Groves and Jan. 17 against Pontiac Central.