The Clarkston varsity basketball team may be young, but it’s still alive and kicking in Oakland Activities Association Division I action.
The Wolves overcame a first-quarter deficit to defeat the visiting Southfield-Lathrup Chargers 79-59. With the win, Clarkston improved to 11-8 overall and 8-3 in league play.
The Chargers had taken a 16-11 lead against the Wolves after the first quarter, but Clarkston answered in the second, outscoring the Chargers 22-14 in the second to take a 33-30 lead at halftime.
The Wolves continued to gain momentum in the second half, outscoring the Chargers 20-12 in the third to take a commanding 53-42 lead.
Senior Justin Whetstone led the Wolves with 18 points, while sophomore Brad Goodman added 14 points, including nine-of-ten from the free throw line. Junior Chris Johnston, despite playing in foul trouble much of the game, scored 14 points, while junior Mark Thornberry added 12.
“Johnston got in foul trouble in the second quarter,” Coach Dan Fife said. “We played pretty much without him in the third quarter. Our kids moved the ball well and played good defense.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the host Wolves used a third-quarter run to defeat Pontiac Central 72-61.
The Wolves had trailed the Chiefs 28-26 at halftime before they outscored the Chiefs 25-12 in the third quarter to take command of the game. Central led Clarkston 15-12 after one quarter.
Junior Chris Johnston led all scorers with 22 points, while junior Mark Thornberry made three of Clarkston’s seven three-pointers to finish with 13 points.
Sophomore Brad Goodman added 12 points for Clarkston, while sophomore Robbie Clark finished with nine.
The Wolves return to action Friday when they host Ferndale beginning at 7 p.m.