BY WENDI REARDON
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Cagers, well-known for their defense, didn’t disappoint a packed gym of Clarkston fans last Friday night as they sank Southfield, 78-38.
‘We had a good night,? said longtime Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball Dan Fife. ‘We had really good team defense tonight. I thought that was a big deal.?
The Wolves? defense kept the Bluejays to 11 points during the first quarter as they scored 23 points.
The momentum carried into the next quarter as junior Dylan Alderson scored three points on his successful field goal attempt. Junior C.J. Robinson, seniors Mitch Heaton and Ryan Holmes contributed to close the first half, 35-22.
The Wolves came out of break with a 10- point run with sophomore Foster Loyer leading the way with five points to open the third quarter.
Southfield broke the drive with a basket and Alderson started the next run seconds later. Loyer scored nine points during the run, which four were from the free throw line.
Alderson scored five points during the 16-point run, marking the last basket with a swing from the rim and cheers from Wolves fans in the gym as he put the score 59-28.
Southfield boosted their score by four points and attempted for one more before Heaton blocked them leading to the quarter closing with one more basket from the Wolves, 61-32.
The score didn’t slow Clarkston’s pace down, it only sped the game up as Robinson opened the final stanza with the first four points.
The night finished with four points from sophomore Tieler Houston and junior John Chrenka, putting the score 78-38.
‘I always rely on my ball handler, my guard Foster, to keep everything under control to take care of the ball, talking out there and run the show,? said Fife. ‘Foster is a 2-year starter so I felt comfortble. They had a good night and Foster had a good night.?
He added defense was good during the night including rebounding well.
‘Holmes and Heaton rebounded outside their bodies a lot and played bigger than they are,? Fife said.
Loyer led the team with 29 points while scoring three 3-pointers and went 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Alderson scored 19 points with two 3-pointers during the game.
Heaton and Robinson added eight points each to the score.
‘That team is going to be much better as the year goes on,? Fife said about the Bluejays. ‘They play good programs and they got us in here on a good night. They will be better at their place. Their coach (Mike Avery) is a good coach. He coached at Southfield Lathrup for years and we have always had good games with him.?
The Wolves also defeated Rochester Adams, 57-46, to put their overall record to 9-1 and 3-0 in OAA Red. The boost came in the third quarter when Clarkston outscored the Highlanders 21-5.
Holmes led the team with 14 points and Loyer added 12 to the board.
‘It was a good win at Adams,? Fife added. ‘Defense is who we are. Our defensive effort is getting more consistent. The kids are better understanding what is going on and our rebounding was better against Southfield. Our game at Adams – they had a lot of offensive rebounds.?
The Wolves played three games a week for two consecutive weeks and only have Southfield Lathrup on the calendar for this week.
‘We don’t play until Thursday which is good for us to get a little bit of rest in there and refocus on our offense and get better on offense,? said Fife.
The boys head to Southfield Lathrup this Thursday. Varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. and junior varsity follows.
They are back home next Tuesday as they host Troy Athens. JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.