Two nights made a difference for the Wolves as their intensity fueled them for their third showdown against Rochester Adams in the season – this time for the MHSAA Basketball District finals last Friday night.
A jump to the lead in the first quarter for the boys kept them charged as they won their 37th district title, 63-46.
Dan Fife, long-time head coach for Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball, added the boys didn’t play aggressively in their win over Oxford to get to the district finals or in their win against Adams, March 5.
‘We didn’t play like this – that’s how Clarkston plays,? he said. ‘That’s how Clarkston has to play. If we don’t we are average. So many more things come more with intensity.?
The Highlanders started the scoring with the first basket by Corey Beale 47 seconds into the game. But a foul called against them put Wolves? freshman Foster Loyer at the line for two tying the score.
Senior Josh Bonzheim built onto the lead as he grabbed the basketball in Adams? territory and ran down the court to score from under the basket.
A few minutes later Brandon Barrows tied the score for the Highlanders but Loyer came back to claim the lead back with his own basket. Senior Merrick Canada contributed one point from the free throw line.
The crowd cheered with 3:18 remaining in the first quarter after Loyer’s three-point attempt hit it’s mark, putting the score at 10-4.
Bonzheim added four more points before the quarter closed 16-6.
Junior Tabin Throgmorton opened the second quarter with two points and assisted Loyer on his 3-pointer minutes later.
The Wolves kept the intensity going and ended the first half, 33-17.
Highlanders opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Joey Ziniti which Clarkston matched with a 3-pointer from senior Andrew Myers off an assist from Loyer.
Adams fought for control of the board as they scored 18 points during the third quarter but the Wolves outscored them with 21 points, keeping the lead to 19 points going into the last quarter, 54-35.
Loyer led the Wolves with 24 points and six assists. Senior Jonah Newblatt had nine rebounds. Throgmorton added 20 points during the game.
The boys won the district semifinals against Oxford on March 11, 48-34. The Wildcats led the game as the first half finished, 20-17.
‘You saw the difference in our defense when they came out tonight compared to the last game,? said Fife. ‘We switched a couple of things up. I am not taking anything away from Oxford but I didn’t think I did a good job coaching.?
He added he would have rather played the first round of playoffs instead of receiving a bye.
‘I don’t mind playing three because I would rather play the first game – win or lose,? he said. ‘It was hard because we didn’t play until the last game on Wednesday.?
Loyer had 11 points and five assists during the game. Canada, Myers and Throgmorton also contributed 11 points each to the score. Senior Jonah Newblatt had six rebound and three blocks.
The district win was the 37th in the history of Clarkston Basketball and the 25th title in the last 28 years.
The Wolves played Avondale in the regional semifinals on Monday night. They beat the Yellow Jackets earlier in the season on Dec. 12, 79-41.
‘I know they are a much different team now,? Fife added. ‘They have learned something. From now on they are all tough games. It is a different pressure. The pressure is don’t want out – that’s a strong message.
They beat Avondale, 74-51 with Loyer leading with 30 points and eight assists.
The Wolves (23-0) travel back to Troy High School for the regional finals on Wednesday against Macomb Dakota, 7 p.m.