The difference in competition level between the OAA’s Divisions I and III was apparent as Clarkston soundly walloped Ferndale’s basketball team 88-51 on Feb. 3.
The Eagles only trailed 11-8 early in the game, but Clarkston pulled away to lead 22-11 at the end of the first quarter. After trading buckets with their opponents early in the second quarter, Clarkston sealed the game with a 16-0 run finishing the half with a 52-25 lead, dramatically capped off with a buzzer beating 3 pointer by senior Rob Ronk.
‘This game gives us some confidence. (Ferndale) is young, we are supposed to beat them that way,? Clarkston Coach Dan Fife said.
Quarter ending buzzer beaters were a theme as the Wolves? largest lead came at the end of the third quarter when junior Dan Owens stroked a 3 point try at the buzzer to put Clarkston up 78-38. The 40-point difference ushered in a running clock, which save for time-outs and free throws during the last two minutes continually ticked down in the fourth quarter.
‘We know we have to win out no matter what, no matter if it’s a league game or not. Each game is a stepping stone to the next game,? senior Joe Moran said.
Moran led the way for Clarkston with 20 points including two 3-pointers and three steals. Senior Joe Rademacher scored 9 of his 17 points in the second quarter and also pulled down five rebounds. Juniors Bren Bergquist and Owens followed in the scoring column with 14 and 13 respectively.
Sophomore Brian Johnson and senior Damon McIntosh each had nine to lead the Eagles.
‘The two Joe’s, Joe Rademacher and Joe Moran, were really good as was Robbie (Ronk). Defensively we were just good in the first half applying pressure to the ball,? Clarkston Coach Dan Fife said.
On the offensive end, Bergquist also managed to saddle Ferndale’s starting center Jeffrey Mitchell and power forward Ryan Jenkins with four fouls apiece in the first quarter. Mitchell fouled out in the first minute of the second half.
‘Before, I was a limited player offensively. This year (Fife) is really letting me expand my offensive game. He’s let me do what I’m comfortable doing and pushing me to take more shots,? Bergquist said.
Bergquist scored eight points in Clarkston’s 55-42 league win at Avondale as did Owens, but Rademacher was the scoring star of the night, posting 16.
With five straight victories, Clarkston’s record stands at 10-2 (3-2) as the Wolves prepare for the final OAA I gauntlet.
‘The next two weeks we have West Bloomfield, (Southfield) Lathrup, (Pontiac) Northern and (Pontiac) Central. That’s huge. We have to win out for a shot to win the league,? Moran said.
Clarkston’s game at home against West Bloomfield on Feb. 7 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News. On Feb. 10, the Wolves travel to Southfield Lathrup, a team hungry for revenge after Clarkston’s 77-54 victory at CHS on Jan. 20.
‘Of all the places we play, (Lathrup’s gym) has been the hardest for our kids. We always have a tough game there,? Fife said.
Lathrup has not lost an OAA I game since their meeting with Clarkston on Jan. 20; which the Wolves won 77-54. On Feb. 3 the Chargers sent some ripples throught the OAA I as they handed Pontiac Northern their first league loss of the season to a tune of 72-58.
Currently, Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central are tied for the league lead at 5-1, Lathrup trails by a half game at 4-1 and Clarkston follows at 3-2.
The Wolves control their destiny though as their longtime sweethearts, Northern, visit on Feb. 14 followed by a home date with Central on Feb. 16.
‘We got two big weeks coming up. It’s going to be tough but I think we are ready. We are playing some good basketball right now and I really think we are prepared,? Bergquist said.
As they head into the teeth of their schedule, Clarkston received good news this past week as senior starting point guard John Kast was cleared to play after undergoing knee surgery on Jan. 20. Athletic Trainer Chris Bradley expected Kast to play against Bloomfield.