When the excitement in the gym settled last Thursday night, the Lady Wolves finished the regular season defeating Pontiac, 58-29.
With the win they claimed the OAA Red league championship for the second consecutive year and finished undefeated in the league, 14-0.
‘I am really proud of them,? said Clarkston Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Tim Wasilk, adding they had to beat teams twice and go on the road to some tough opponents? gyms. ‘It’s a grind and a long season. We had great senior leadership and good focus.?
The game opened with a close first quarter between Clarkston and Pontiac and finished with the Lady Wolves in a 1-point lead, 11-10.
Senior Erin Davenport opened the second quarter with a charge down the court into Pontiac’s territory. She took her shot as she went under the basket to put two points on the board.
It kickstarted a 24-point run for the Lady Wolves until Pontiac scored again, with 20 points scored in the second quarter.
Wasilk added Pontiac had foul trouble and injuries, taking some of the players out after the first quarter.
‘It really changed the flow of the game,? he said.
Pontiac made a move to climb back up the scoreboard in the third quarter but the Lady Wolves held them to 19 points for the second half of the game.
‘The intensity was good,? senior Patrice Matthews added. ‘Our focus was good and the underclassman stepped it up for the seniors. We came together as a team.?
Sophomore Erika Davenport led the team with 23 points while Erin scored ten points and was 6-for-6 on the free throw line. Senior Delaney Kenny added seven points in the game.
The Lady Wolves begin MHSAA District playoffs this week at Oxford High School, 745 Oxford Road.
‘If we focus and we keep the same mindset as we did for the league, we will be fine this year,? said Matthews.
They begin with Lake Orion on Wednesday, 7 p.m.
‘It’s going to be a battle,? added Wasilk. ‘It will be the classic Clarkston/Lake Orion battle. We throw the records away and come to play. It should be fun. We talked about how we finished round one against Pontiac and now we are on round two.?
The winner moves on to the district finals on Friday at 7 p.m.
The district champion will move on to play next Tuesday in the first round of regional playoffs, set for 5 p.m. at Waterford Kettering.